On Sunday, the 10th of May, 2026, I got a message from Mr Wurie that I would be representing Network AID Africa on a training organised by FoRUT on policies and laws on women. At that time, I was already shaken because it was my first time, and I thought maybe it was a presentation or something! I asked my Aunt, as she is more experienced. She explained to me, and I understood.
On Tuesday, the 12th of May, 2026, I prepared myself and went for the training. I left very early because I was not familiar with the place; and the training venue, and I didn't want to be late. On my way, I was thinking about how everything would go. I reached the place and contacted Mr John Paul.
He didn't pick up, so at that moment I got scared, but I shook the feeling off till my phone went off, and I didn't know where I was, and there was no one to call. I started thinking, what if I am lost or what if I get kidnapped? I sat at a corner of a shop thinking and worried, then a woman spilt water on me. At that moment, I was already fed up. I just wanted to go home, and she asked who are my waiting for? I explained everything to her, and she helped me recharge my phone. I switched my phone on after having some battery life. I immediately received a call from Mr John, at that moment I felt happy and relieved. He directed me to the training venue, we saw each other, and we went inside, and there he asked a lady to serve me tea and bread, as I had been stranded for over an hour.
Later, the training started, and our guest speaker was Mr Foday Fudeya Sesay (a worker from the Ministry of Gender and Children's Affairs), and his main topic was Women's Rights. He placed us into three(3) groups for his discussion, and from there, the wonderful experience started. I bonded with knowledgeable women who were experienced in the field of Gender issues, and some cited issues related to their families and communities. Mr Sesay enlightened us about current Gender issues and some sexual offences under the Sexual Offences Amendment Act, like: Section 6-19 (Adults: which covers offences relating to sexual violence, abuse, exploitation), Section 19-32 (Children: sexual penetration).
The SOAA addresses rape, aggravated rape, and sexual penetration of minors. He also talked about the Registration of Customary Marriage Act 2009. And his last discussion was on (F.G.M) Female Genital Mutilation. This is my first experience learning. Most of the things talked about in the training were unknown to me. Have never known them in my life. I was happy I went for the training. The interaction and experience were wonderful because being around knowledgeable, elderly, experienced people in society actually helps the younger generation to have ideas on things happening around them and in their society.
Khadija Kabba - Student, Fourah Bay College - University of Sierra Leone - Gender Department
