The report further stated that the research was commissioned to ascertain the effectiveness and efficiency of referral and redress mechanism protecting women and girls in communities in Sierra Leone.
It identified institutions responsible for providing referral and redress services to women and girls who suffered violence, their availability and access to communities as well as explored effectiveness of these institutions in responding to issues of violence against women and girls while examining the barriers that prevented women and girls from getting redress.
Member of Parliament, Emma Simbo, who chaired the ceremony, said that “women and girls have been victims of emotional and domestic abuse among others. The report highlights weaknesses on referral methods of addressing these issues”.
She said legal and medical facilities should be affordable by women and girls
Executive Director, Action Aid, Mohamed Sillah, said there had been consultations with different stakeholders in relation to women and girls whose challenges continued to be on the increase, noting that addressing them remained a huge challenge at national level.
He said government had put together laws protecting women and girls, but the report outlined challenges faced by women and girls and the referral and redress mechanism that would be used in protecting women and girls in the country.
Maude Peacock, president of the women’s forum, pointed out that violence against women was being experienced by all categories of women and girls.
She urged women to be cognizance of the fact that there were laws protecting them, adding that sustainable funding must be implemented as a recommendation in the report.
