United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Michael Owen, has signed grant agreements totaling USD 60,000 with five human rights and media organisations to support democracy and human rights in the country.
Beneficiaries include AdvocAid, whose programs assist women and girls who are having difficulty with access to justice and experiencing problems with the law; A public education forum on Radio Kolenten to disseminate information about women’s-rights legislation; Anti-violence programs directed at youth and organized by YAWN-SL (Youth Arise, All Political Parties Youth Association APPYA, Wheel Sierra Leone and National Youth Coalition).
The funds are also expected boost electoral education broadcasts on Radio Gbafth in support of free, fair, and credible elections and prop the Media Foundation’s project to expand the role of independent media in the democratic election process.
Ambassador Owen congratulated the grantees and noted the importance of community-based organisations and the media in promoting democracy and respect for human rights.
These initiatives have been financed through the Democracy and Human Rights Fund (DHRF) of the Office of the Director of U.S. Foreign Assistance, which provides targeted assistance to organisations working to advance the causes of democracy and human rights.
