Brima Sheriff, Director of the Sierra Leone section, dancing with community in Mapaki ©Amnesty International
The drive back from Kambia to Makeni was beautiful. There is green grass for miles, with tropical trees and rushing rivers. We passed many villages on the way with people selling snacks.
A heavily pregnant woman sold me some bananas when we stopped – we were still miles away from Makeni, where the main hospital is. I dread to think what would happen to her if she had complications.
We got back to Makeni at midday today and had an NGO partner meeting shortly after to discuss longer-term plans. We identified three main areas to focus on in the longer-term including the monitoring of health systems, working with local communities on empowerment, information and human rights education and campaigning activism. They all work on issues surrounding these areas and are planning to incorporate maternal mortality in their work.
Continue reading ‘Joining in the dancing in Mapaki in Sierra Leone’
Drama group performing at Kambia launch ©Amnesty International
We departed at 6.30am today for the long bumpy ride to Kambia. After a courtesy visit to the paramount chief, I spoke to a group of volunteers about Amnesty’s maternal mortality campaign and caravan. I also asked them to help collect petition signatures during the launch in the afternoon. So far, we have an estimated 3,000 signatures.
The Kambia launch was the best one yet. The paramount chief attended the launch along with local partners and the district medical officer welcomed us and made the opening speeches. One of the musicians travelling with us is the paramount chief’s grandson and everyone in Kambia was excited to see him and the other musicians perform.
Continue reading ‘Play in Kambia highlights problems women in labour face in Sierra Leone’
Mami Queen signing the petition ©Amnesty International
On our second day in Makeni, Irene and some of the mission delegates departed for Freetown. In the morning, a few of the delegates set off to Kamambai, a village 30 minutes outside Makeni. The village has a history of women’s empowerment.
In 2002, the “Mami Queen” (woman chief) was denied the right to vote in the chiefdom elections and a group of women united to protest against this decision. “Mami Queen” was arrested twice before they succeeded in making her vote count. Since then, women have had their voices heard.
After paying a protocol visit to the paramount chief, who allegedly celebrated his 104th birthday two days ago, we were warmly welcomed by a group of jubilant women. We spoke to them about Amnesty’s campaign on maternal mortality and they told us about the problems they face with regards to accessing maternal healthcare.
Continue reading ‘A group of jubilant women in Makeni, Sierra Leone’
Irene Khan crowned Paramount Chief of Bombali District
We arrived in Makeni at midday yesterday and started setting up for the launch. Makeni is the third largest city in Sierra Leone and the atmosphere was much more relaxed than Freetown.
The launch ran smoothly and the highlight of the day was when Irene was crowned Paramount Chief of Bombali District! She is the first woman ever in the north to be crowned chief and her name is Ya Bomkapr Mankneh II. The other chiefs and elders consider it a great symbolic gesture to their commitment to empowering women.
Continue reading ‘Irene Khan crowned as caravan moves on to Makeni’
Violet Kawa, Sierra Leone section chair, with Irene Khan at the launch of the caravan
We are in the car, on the way to Makeni. The campaign launch went well yesterday – despite the looming rain clouds, it managed not to rain during the event.
There was a great vibe, with everyone enjoying the music being blasted from the caravan stage. The event started with an introduction from Violet, the Sierra Leone section chair, followed by a speech by Irene.
The most emotional moment was when Irene asked the crowd to raise their hands if they had lost a woman to maternal mortality and there was a sea of hands.
The section delegates unveiled the caravan and the musicians performed the Amnesty International soundtrack, which was warmly received by the crowd. The play was also performed with the crowd cheering the actors on.
Continue reading ‘Sierra Leone caravan – an emotional launch and moving forward’
