MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WALK - 1st NOVEMBER 2025
Thank you to everyone who made our maiden Health Walk a success. From government officials and institutions to community leaders, youth groups, market women, professionals, and our national and international partners—your support meant so much. We especially acknowledge the Office of the First Lady for its continued commitment to mental health and the fight against gender-based violence.
On Saturday, we walked through the streets of Freetown to break the silence around mental health, sending a strong message that no one should suffer alone.
Special appreciation to the Hon. Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs for launching the walk and standing with us every step of the way. Our sincere thanks also go to the volunteer doctors who offered free health checks, and to our dedicated volunteers, sponsors, and the Centre for Gender and Social Justice team whose hard work made this event possible.
To everyone who supported the campaign, including those who bought t-shirts but could not attend, you are part of this movement and continue to spread the message.
This is just the beginning. Together, we will keep advocating for healing, dignity, and hope.
Thank you, Freetown. Thank you, Sierra Leone.
The Centre for Gender and Social Justice, through the Empower Her initiative, spent meaningful time with the women of the Kroo Bay community—an afternoon filled with strength, honesty, and sisterhood.
We gathered to hold open conversations about gender-based violence and the daily struggles many women face in silence. But it wasn’t just a dialogue; it was a moment of deep listening. We heard stories of pain and survival, but also of extraordinary courage and resilience.
During the session, we shared clear information on what GBV looks like, how it affects women and families, and the rights every woman holds to safety, dignity, and justice. We also discussed the support systems available—legal services, counselling, safe spaces, and where to seek help without fear or shame.
One of the most powerful moments came from the women themselves. They encouraged one another, offered solidarity, and reminded each other that no woman should walk this journey alone.
This engagement reaffirmed what we already know: real change begins within communities, in spaces where voices are heard, awareness grows, and women rise together to say, enough is enough.
We remain committed to standing with them. The work continues.
Community Engagement at Kroo Bay
Stakeholders Engagement: Brookfields & Congo Market Community
The Centre for Gender and Social Justice held a powerful engagement with community leaders in Brookfields and Congo Market, including the local chief, market women chair ladies, police representatives, an imam, and pastors. But at the centre of the conversation were the women themselves: survivors who live the daily realities of GBV, discrimination, and economic hardship.
These women are not defined by victimhood, they are strong, determined, and resilient. Every day, they push forward despite the barriers society places before them. Their voices matter because they carry the lived experiences that must shape real change.
During the session, we introduced our work and the services we offer, from rights awareness and counselling support to pathways for justice and protection. Our purpose was not only to provide help, but to stand with women, ensuring they are heard, informed, and never left to face these challenges alone.
This engagement is just the beginning. We are here, we are listening, and we remain committed to walking beside the women who continue to rise above hardship. They are the backbone of their families and the pillars of their communities, and together, we will keep pushing for justice, dignity, and lasting change.
Collaboration is key to our success. Whether you represent a government body, NGO, corporate organization, or community group, we welcome partnerships that advance our shared goals. Let’s work together to bring gender justice, support, and opportunities to women and girls across Sierra Leone.
Advocate for gender justice, dedicated to ensuring that every woman and girl across Sierra Leone has equal opportunities to participate meaningfully in society.
© Center for Gender and Social Justice
