By Abu H. Kargbo
Members of Women of Progress, along with community leaders, students, and university administrators, demonstrated their determination during a brief and strategic march.
The march began at Congo Town Junction, continued to IDA Quarters, and then made a U-turn to return to the Garden of Peace at the Pastoral Centre.
The post-celebration on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, was heightened by a panel discussion.
Lovetta Iye Turay, Councillor at the Makeni City Council, Marion I. Bangura, Chairperson of Women of Progress, and Jestina Juana-Jalloh from SEND-SL were the panellists featured in a panel to represent all facets of life moderated by Jalikatu Jalloh, Lecturer at the University of Makeni.
In her remarks, Jalikatu Jalloh recognised the relevance of March as International Women’s Month, celebrating their contributions beyond the caregiving role.
”Our contributions to socio-economic and national development are immeasurable,” she stressed.
Jestina Juana-Jalloh, Gender Officer at SEND Sierra Leone, also made a similar emphasis, noting that it is also a moment to amplify the fight against sexual and gender-based violence.
”Let there be no room for compromise, report any form of violence to the appropriate authority,”
Lovetta Iye Turay, Councillor at the Makeni City Council, commended the interventions of SEND Sierra Leone in tackling all forms of violence at the community level through the Building Respect Anti-Violence Education (BRAVE) project, uplifting the status of women and girls in society.
”This project has empowered grassroots women and students to become rights champions,” she accentuated.
Marion I. Bangura, Chairperson of Women of Progress, commended the dialogue convened after the brief march, describing it as both insightful and inspiring.
”We’ll convene a special meeting for our general membership to share the knowledge gained,” Bangura pledged.
Elizabeth Momodu Baraka, Auditor at the University of Makeni, a participant of the engagement, also praised the post-celebration initiative.
She urged women and girls to believe in themselves to break long-standing barriers and marginalization.
”Lack of self-confidence from us the women serves as one of the greatest forms of marginalization in recent years,” she added.
The move of SEND Sierra Leone to amplify the gender-based violence campaign on the post International Women’s Day dialogue celebration is both strategic and relevant, especially when Amnesty International’s 2025 report highlighted growing rates of gender-based violence in the country.
The rights of women and girls continued to be violated, although legislation outlawing child marriage was passed,” excerpt of the report.