Igniting Community Action To End GBV and FGM

The project uses a dual approach to address both the social and economic drivers of harmful practices:

Harmful practices such as FGM, SGBV, and child marriage continue to affect women and girls in Bombali District. These practices are driven by:

Deeply entrenched cultural norms and traditions
Economic dependence on harmful practices
Lack of awareness about the health and legal consequences
Weak community protection structures
Limited access to justice for survivors

Women and girls bear the heaviest burden, facing physical harm, psychological trauma, and limited opportunities for education and economic participation.

Our Approach

Overview

Igniting Community Action to End SGBV and FGM is a transformative initiative led by LEAD Sierra Leone, implemented with the generous support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) . The project tackles deeply rooted harmful practices affecting women and girls in Bombali District, Northern Sierra Leone, a region that remains a hotspot for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), and child marriage.

Despite national progress, these practices continue to threaten the health, rights, and future of thousands of women and girls. This project adopts a proven dual approach that combines community engagement with economic empowerment to create lasting change.

The Problem We Addressed

1. Community Engagement and Dialogue
We brought together traditional leaders, FGM practitioners (Soweis), survivors, health workers, law enforcement, and community advocates. Through intercultural dialogue sessions in five chiefdoms, we created safe spaces for collective reflection, fostered trust, and built shared commitments to ending harmful practices.

2. Women Economic Empowerment
We addressed the economic drivers of FGM and early marriage by providing alternative livelihoods for vulnerable women and girls. This reduces their dependence on harmful practices for income and creates pathways to independence and dignity.

Project Outcomes

Strengthened Community-Led Response

Over 250 key stakeholders, including traditional leaders, women leaders, youth representatives, and local authorities, publicly committed to ending SGBV and FGM.
In communities like Mapaki and Binkoloh, traditional leaders openly discouraged FGM and encouraged families to prioritize girls' education.
Community representatives expressed willingness to collaborate with local authorities to reinforce protective by-laws.

Enhanced Economic Resilience for Women

250 women from five chiefdoms completed vocational training and received start-up kits.
23 beneficiaries immediately started or expanded small businesses, including soap making, gara tie-dye production, cake baking, and make-up services.
Five Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) were formed, with approximately 50 women per chiefdom, ensuring continued financial resilience.

Increased Knowledge and Capacity

100% of trainees demonstrated improved knowledge in entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
Participants reported improved saving habits, better household budgeting, and greater confidence discussing SGBV and FGM.
Example: Aminata Fofanah from Gbanti Chiefdom shared she now applies budgeting and savings practices to strengthen her small food business.

Greater Public Awareness and Support

Radio campaigns reached an estimated 150,000 listeners across Bombali District and nationally.
Community members and local leaders openly discussed the dangers of SGBV and FGM.
Example: Mr. Alimamy Sesay, chiefdom Chief Imam in Binkoloh, publicly encouraged families to support alternative livelihoods for women instead of practices linked to FGM.