By Mabinty M. Kamara
Campaigners against rape and other domestic violence acts against women and girls in Sierra Leone say they have raised over US$100,000, equivalent to Le1, 013, 993, 000 through the Survivors Solidarity Fund set up to support survivors of rape in the country.
The campaign was designed to help raise the necessary financial resources needed to support some institutions that have been championing the cause and welfare of rape survivors across the country. The campaign is championed by two prominent celebrities of Sierra Leonean descent: Hollywood actor Edris Elba and television journalist Isha Sesay.
Elba, who was born in the United Kingdom, where he is based, is linked to the country by his late father. Sesay, who is also born in the UK to both Sierra Leonean parents, is best known for are stint at CNN, the US-based television network. She is currently based in the United States. The duo are working with Sierra Leone based activists, including the Asmaa James Foundation and Purposeful Production.
Idris Elba personally donated 40,000 British Pounds, according to a report.
The Rainbow Initiative, Aberdeen Women’s Centers, the female lawyers group L.A.W.Y.E.R.S, Smart Women Initiative and Justice for the Survivors require RESOURCES are the beneficiary organizations from the funds.
Daniel Kettor, Executive Director of the Rainbow Initiative, told Politico that the campaign to raise fund is ongoing, stressing that the support of every Sierra Leonean is needed.
“The fund raising is doing well. We have champions leading the entire process, and there are other different organizations coming onboard to support. The fund is to support survivors and it will help alleviate survivors problem in terms of transportation and other things. You know that in Sierra Leone if you are a victim of rape, you will have to foot all the expenses, from going to the hospital, to court; so this will help in those areas and we are seeing a lot of commitments from other citizens,” he said.
Mr. Kettor stressed the need for Sierra Leoneans to participate in the process, noting that it was not a one-off thing.
“This is not a one off thing; it will continue. We want even the ordinary citizens to support the process with whatever little they have. It could be through Orange Money,” he said.
Kettor noted that there are a lot of challenges that rape survivors face in the country and that with this fund, it would help them tackle some of these challenges and even minimize the dreadful act of rape.
The Survivors Solidarity Fund was launched a week after an outrage over the alleged rape and murder of five-year old Kadija Saccoh. The case raised a lot of questions, relating to having the right equipment necessary to deal with its kinds and the need to expedite justice.
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