By: Ibrahim Jalloh - (Jallomy)
Sexual
aggression, otherwise labeled as sexual and gender based violence is a chronic
and morally disturbing malaise in our society. Efforts and actions by our
international development partners working alongside governmental agencies and
civil society groups were visible, seemingly coordinated and well -resourced
but the outcomes and impact ratings were extremely and, in most cases,
paralyzed. While the frustration looms, the hope for redoubling the efforts and
actions were deferred. What made matters worse was the apparent diminished
political will in combating a heinous crime that has endured the longest in the
history of Sierra Leone.
The current
regime of President Julius Maada Bio has rejuvenated the fight with extreme
political will and the most visible and poignant executive engagement ever in
the history of Sierra Leone. To the extent that rape, sexual penetration of
minors and, by extension, all forms of sexual violence are now declared an
emergency with harsh and biting laws underscore the visibility of the end of
the road of this legally and morally disruptive crime.
The First
Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatima Bio, has marshaled all it
takes to end the menace. Her Hands off Our Girls Campaign is progressing with
terrific speed. The ferocity of the campaign is dismantling hitherto existing
barriers to combating the crime. Our traditional leaders, the Paramount Chiefs,
are fully and thoroughly engaged in the campaign and their leadership of the
process is a practical guarantee to a permanent solution.
To date, the
First Lady, Madam Fatima Bio with her goal driven and sufficiently motivated
team, has achieved 81.25% national coverage in the campaign within a period of
less than 90 days! This is incredible and highly significant achievement. The
smart and phenomenal First Lady Fatima Bio has caused a sudden twist in the
fight against a scourge whose termination was already a frustrated reality.
Sierra
Leoneans should come together and support this initiative that has graduated
into the biggest national program of our time.
This is greatest good and biggest opportunity of our time to end a
practice that will potentially destroy the seeds of tomorrow.
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