MMW Concludes Powerful 16 Days of Activism Campaign Across Sierra Leone

by Alinah Kallon

Media Matters for Women (MMW) has concluded its 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign with a series of powerful community-centered engagements across Bombali, Kenema, and Western Area Rural Districts. This year’s campaign focused on strengthening local accountability, elevating women’s voices, and deepening community understanding of violence against women and girls.

MMW hosted three regional stakeholder engagements and inter-generational dialogues, bringing together traditional leaders, community champions, teachers, youth representatives, and women’s groups to reflect on the national theme and to collectively identify solutions for safer communities. These sessions created space for open, honest conversations on harmful norms, protection gaps, and community responsibilities in preventing violence.
A key highlight of the campaign was the recognition of 30 Community Champions, women and men who have shown outstanding commitment to promoting women’s rights, supporting survivors, and challenging harmful practices within their communities. Their stories of courage and leadership continue to inspire local action.

In addition, MMW facilitated “Under the Tree Dialogues” across several rural communities, meeting women and stakeholders in their own spaces to hold frank conversations on issues that affect women’s dignity and wellbeing. These dialogues focused on mental wellness, GBV referral pathways, positive parenting, and practical ways communities can support safer environments for women and girls.
Through these engagements, MMW reinforced its commitment to using information sharing, feminist storytelling, and community partnership to address the root causes of violence and strengthen protection systems at the last mile.

MMW remains dedicated to working with communities year-round to create a Sierra Leone where every woman and girl can live with safety, dignity, and equal opportunity.