The Women’s Coalition, established in October 2023, is a network of 120 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Sierra Leone dedicated to promoting the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. Comprising community-based organizations, national NGOs, and various networks, the Coalition aims to address key issues related to women’s involvement in peacebuilding and governance. Its objectives include mitigating conflicts at community, district, and national levels, promoting women’s participation in peace processes, safeguarding women’s rights and safety from violence, and advocating for governance reforms that contribute to lasting peace and stability in Sierra Leone.
The Women’s Coalition, established in October 2023, is a robust network of 120 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) across Sierra Leone, dedicated to championing the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. Our membership is diverse and dynamic, encompassing community-based organizations, national non-governmental organizations, and various specialized networks. Together, we form a unified platform that addresses critical challenges faced by women in conflict and post-conflict settings, as well as issues in peacebuilding and governance. Our coalition emerged from the recognition that women’s voices are too often marginalized in decision-making processes, especially in contexts where peace and security are at stake. We bring together organizations that work at every level from the grassroots to the national stage to create a cohesive strategy aimed at mitigating conflicts, promoting inclusive peace processes, and advancing women’s rights. By leveraging the unique strengths and perspectives of each member, we strive to: •Mitigate Conflicts: Develop and implement community, district, and national strategies to prevent and resolve disputes, ensuring that local conflicts do not escalate. •Enhance Women’s Participation: Empower women to take active roles in peace negotiations and governance, thus ensuring that their perspectives shape policies and programs. •Safeguard Women’s Rights: Advocate for the protection of women and girls from all forms of violence, while promoting legal and social reforms that support their safety and dignity. •Promote Governance Reforms: Influence policy and institutional change that fosters transparency, accountability, and gender equality in all spheres of public life. Our coalition is built on the commitment that meaningful change comes through collaboration, sustained advocacy, and the empowerment of every woman to contribute to a more secure, just, and prosperous Sierra Leone.
We envision a peaceful and inclusive society for the benefit of all women and girls in Sierra Leone
We work in a holistic manner to drive locally grounded and inclusive interventions that promote women and girls’ participation in peace building at all levels in Sierra Leone.
To achieve our mission, we focus on the following strategic actions: •Locally Grounded Interventions: We design our programs based on the specific needs, cultural contexts, and realities of the communities we serve. Whether at the local, district, or national level, our interventions are tailored to empower women where they are most affected. •Inclusive Engagement: By actively involving women and girls in every step from community dialogues and capacity- building workshops to high-level policy discussions we ensure that their experiences and perspectives inform our approach to peacebuilding. •Collaborative Partnerships: We work closely with community leaders, civil society organizations, government institutions, and international partners. This collaborative approach fosters mutual learning, resource sharing, and coordinated efforts to promote women’s leadership and secure their rights. •Empowerment through Education and Training: Our programs emphasize skills development in areas such as advocacy, conflict resolution, leadership, and legal rights. We believe that by equipping women with knowledge and practical tools, we can help them become catalysts for change in their communities. •Advocacy for Policy Reform: We engage in continuous advocacy to reform policies and practices that hinder gender equality. Our goal is to influence decision-makers to adopt and implement measures that safeguard women’s rights, ensure equitable resource distribution, and enhance overall societal security.
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