17/08/2026
MARWOPNET-SL DISSEMINATES RESEARCH FINDINGS ON PSEA
Freetown, Sierra Leone — 14 August 2026: The Mano River Women Peace Network – Sierra Leone (MARWOPNET-SL) organized a one-day activity workshop on Dissemination of Research Findings on Reporting Mechanism for the Protection of Cross Border Women Traders on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)research on “Enhancing Women’s Protection and Inclusion in Peacebuilding Processes in Sierra Leone.” The research focuses on strengthening protection mechanisms at key border posts to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and other forms of violence against women.
MARWOPNET-SL is a leading non-governmental organization committed to promoting women’s rights, protection, peace building, and gender inclusion across Sierra Leone and the wider Mano River region. MARWOPNET-SL in partnership with UN Women and Funded by Government of Ireland international Development Programme Launched the Research Report at Jendema, last year at a border town between Sierra Leone and Liberia in the Pujehun district.
Participants were drawn mainly from the border security sector institutions under ONS, traditional chiefs from both sierra Leone and Liberia.
During the dissemination workshop, participants engaged in group discussions aimed at identifying practical solutions to prevent and address harmful practices affecting women in workplaces, marketplaces, border communities, and other public spaces. The discussions were facilitated by Madam Yeama Thompson, who guided participants through the key findings and issues highlighted by the research on PSEA.
The National Focal Person and founding member of MARWOPNET-SL, Madam Rosaline Marcathy ,the keynote speaker, welcomed participants and expressed appreciation for their strong turnout and commitment to advancing women’s rights and protection.
Madam Marcathy emphasized the importance of women standing together in solidarity and supporting fellow women who experience violence, harassment, discrimination, or exploitation.She encouraged victims and survivors to speak out and report such abuses, particularly in border areas where women may face heightened risks.
The research seeks to bring attention to the challenges women encounter in cross-border trade and movement *alone the peripheral *communities* . According to the issues highlighted during the dissemination, women traders and other women operating in border communities have reportedly experienced discrimination, intimidation, harassment, and other forms of abuse involving various actors, including custom and security personnels, drivers, amongst others.
The research was conducted in Kambia, Kailahun, Karene, and Pujehun Districts, which were strategically selected because of their proximity to major border crossing points connecting Sierra Leone with Guinea and Liberia. These locations are particularly important for understanding the experiences and protection needs of women engaged in cross-border activities.
The Dissemination workshop provided an important platform for stakeholders to examine the challenges faced by women at border crossings and to identify recommendations for strengthening protection, accountability, reporting mechanisms, and women’s meaningful participation in peace building and community decision-making processes.
The Dissemination of the report was held on Friday 14th August ,2026 at the Council of Churches of Sierra Leone ( CCSL) hall on King Harman road in freetown. The dissemination workshop was climaxed with a renewed call for stronger collaboration among government institutions, civil society organizations, women’s groups, security and border authorities, and communities to create safer and more inclusive environments for women across Sierra Leone, particularly in border communities.
The Research Findings and Reporting Mechanism for the Protection of Cross Border Women Traders from sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA )was funded by UN Women and the Government of Ireland Development programme.
Dr Brima Sesay, Lecturer from the Social Science Department, Foourahbay College presented his Research Findings to the participants. Mr John Augustine Lahai facilitated the dissemination of the Research Findings.
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