By Abubakarr Tarawally
Social Enterprise Development (SEND) Sierra Leone, together with the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, with support from the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Deutsche Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH), has unveiled its project Building Respect and Anti-Violence Education (BRAVE) for Women and Girls in Tertiary Educational Institution of Sierra Leone.
The project aims to train 10,000 women and Men in Tertiary Educational institutions across seven districts in Sierra Leone on Sexual and Gender-based violence (SGBV) awareness and prevention and also to help transform campuses into safe, inclusive environments where students can be better protected from sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse.
The initiative brought together academics, professors, Lecturers, staff, and students to discuss the issue of ‘sex for grades and other forms of sexual and Gender violence across tertiary educational institutions in the country.
During his opening statement at Vanilla Hall Aberdeen, Freetown on Friday, 21 March 2025 the country Director of SEND Sierra Leone, Joseph Ayamga, revealed that academic institutions are meant to impart knowledge, build character, and shape future leaders, adding that, many students, especially women, face various forms of violence, including sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse.
“Sex for grades” has become a troubling reality, affecting students’ academic performance and prospects. So, if universities fail to protect their students, how can these same students be expected to contribute positively to society?” he warned.
He emphasized that women have been disadvantaged for too long due to cultural and traditional norms, so the time for change is now, citing that despite the presence of policies aimed at protecting women’s rights, implementation remains weak.
He pointed out that the culture of silence within academic institutions is a serious issue that allows perpetrators of violence to continue their harmful actions without consequences, stressing that university authorities are aware of those issues but choose not to act on them, and that allows violence to persist.
To address these challenges, he encouraged universities to establish a clear reporting mechanism where students can safely report cases of violence and harassment, but most importantly, investigate those reports thoroughly, and appropriate disciplinary actions be taken against perpetrators, regardless of their position.
Head of Cooperation German Embassy in Sierra Leone, Johannes Behrens, stated that Sexual and gender-based violence is a critical global issue that deeply affects human dignity, and affected persons endure deep emotional and psychological wounds that challenge their humanity.
He said dignity is a fundamental right that should be upheld for all individuals, stressing that the violation of this dignity through acts of violence must be condemned universally, and survivors should be supported to regain their lives with respect and justice.
He warned that many laws on SGBV have been active over the years, but laws alone are not enough so they must be enforced effectively, adding that, offenders must face the full force of the law, and society must take a firm stance against gender-based violence, ensuring that these legal protections translate into real change.
According to the Country Director of Wealth Hunger Hilife, Bananeza Emmanuel Octave, tackling SGBV Tertiary institutions is key, as it ensures that educational institutions become centers of awareness and advocacy, spreading the message of gender equality and dignity beyond academia.
‘’SGBV is not limited to men violating women but can occur in reverse, and so all individuals regardless of gender should feel comfortable reporting violations of their rights, ’he said.
He acknowledged that the project receives support from the German government, adding that there is a call to extend such collaboration to other sectors, particularly in agriculture, where women face various forms of discrimination and exploitation.
He highlighted that gender equality efforts extend beyond education and into critical areas like food security and nutrition, emphasizing the importance of continued partnerships in advancing gender equality and combating SGBV in all aspects of society.
Fatmatta Taqi, Director Academic Career Advisor, Cancelling Students (ACACSC) University of Sierra Leone, explained that the University of Sierra Leone has established a directive to support both academic and career advisory needs while ensuring a comprehensive response to SGBV, as they have been addressing concerns over past six years.
Taqi reaffirmed that cases of sexual harassment, financial harassment, and other forms of exploitation have been reported, and victims need to come forward and seek justice rather than suffer in silence, adding that, many victims and witnesses hesitate to report the issue due to fear of retaliation or lack of trust in the system.
She further stated that many offenders do not recognize their actions as harassment due to cultural norms that normalize inappropriate behavior; therefore, the project should break down what constitutes SGBV, ensuring that students and staff are well-informed.
She recommended the implementation of a public offenders’ list or blacklist to prevent offenders from transferring from one institution to another without consequences, citing that the legal system must also be tested to ensure that the laws protecting victims are effectively enforced.
Minister of Technical and Higher Education Haja Ramatulai Wurie acknowledges the Government’s commitment to strengthening policy frameworks and enforcing robust measures against sexual and gender-based violence, stressing the need for clear guidelines, disciplinary measures, and safe reporting systems.
She also emphasized the importance of research in understanding and tackling the historical and pervasive nature of gender-based violence, stating that Universities should be engaged in research to uncover the drivers of the problem, ensuring that policies are informed by context-specific evidence and that interventions are both sustainable and effective.
The minister urged stakeholders, students, educators, and administrators to work together in challenging these harmful norms and fostering a culture of respect and gender equality.
