Defence for Children International (DCI) with support from UNICEF-Sierra Leone has trained sixty community facilitators and mentors on life skills and the National Referral Pathways for abuse prevention, empowering youths and providing critical support to those affected by Sexual and Gender–Based Violence (SGBV).
The training according to a report by the Communication Officer of the children’s advocacy group Issa Bangura attracted participants from all 15 project communities, and 3 districts to serve as community facilitators and mentors in the selected communities in Bombali, Kenema, and Western Area Rural districts of Sierra Leone based on the national life skill curriculum for ages 14 to 19 years.
The Programme Manager of DCI – Sierra Leone, Hawanatu Mansaray, told participants during the training that life skills and national referral pathways would build the capacity of community facilitators and mentors on SGBV prevention and response in communities.
According to Hawanatu, these mentors and community facilitators could guide and support young people, including boys and girls in their personal development cycle.
She added that they would serve as role models and advocates for positive change, and promote life skills that enhanced self-confidence, emotional intelligence, and positive decision-making processes for and among young males and females from the selected communities and districts. Participants expressed their delight over the opportunity offered to them by DCI – -Sierra Leone to be equipped with the tools that make a difference in their lives.
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