By Yusufu S. Bangura
SLANSA director & team raising awareness on small arms & light weapons
The Sierra Leone Action Network on Small Arms (SLANSA) has raised awareness on the dangers of small arms and light weapons (SALW) during the Gibraltar Women’s Fellowship annual prayer breakfast in Freetown.
The event, held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, coincided with International Women’s Day and was themed “Establish Thou the Works of Our Hands, O Lord” (Psalm 90:17).
Speaking at the event, SLANSA’s Director, Florella Hannah Hazeley, emphasized the urgent need for small arms control in Sierra Leone. She highlighted that SLANSA, a non-partisan, non-profit coalition, was established on October 16, 2001, following Freetown’s launch into the Peace to the City global network.
The organization works with religious institutions, civil society organizations, and advocacy networks to promote human security and micro-disarmament efforts.
Hazeley explained that SLANSA envisions a peaceful society where citizens coexist harmoniously, respect individual rights, and uphold the rule of law. The network’s mission, she stated, is to provide quality education and information on public and human security, facilitate constructive debates on security solutions, and assemble key resources related to governance, law enforcement, journalism, and citizenship.
“We believe in rights, responsibility, equality, and equity as guiding principles for peace, safety, and development,” she stated.
She further expressed concerns about the easy availability of small arms, which she said fuels conflict and threatens human and state security. SLANSA’s advocacy aligns with international frameworks, including the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, the United Nations Programme of Action on SALW, and the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development.
Hazeley urged women and youth to reject violence, warning that “guns do not protect, they destroy.” She encouraged women to actively participate in decision-making processes related to peace and security and advised young people to promote nonviolence. “Violence does not determine who is right—only who is left,” she stressed.
The event’s guest speaker, Rufina Adjivon-Tucker, expressed her appreciation for celebrating women’s contributions to national development. She emphasized that women are the pillars of strong societies and must position themselves for positive change.
“The theme chosen for this event aligns with International Women’s Day, reminding us that as women, we must reposition ourselves to do great things. When God establishes our hands for good, nothing can disrupt it,” she said.
Adjivon-Tucker encouraged women to remain patient and prayerful, drawing inspiration from Moses’ leadership. She also called on men to support women, emphasizing that strong homes require collaboration.
“I want to encourage us all to believe in ourselves. No matter what others say, we should focus on God and not limit ourselves,” she concluded.
