The Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) has started a regional sensitization campaign to promote gender equality and improve access to safe drinking water across the country.
The campaign is part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and focuses on how lack of safe water can increase risks for women and girls in many communities. The outreach began in Makeni and continued in Bo and Kenema, with activities including radio discussions, workshops, and community engagement.
SALWACO said the aim of the campaign is to show that access to clean and affordable water is not only a health issue but also a gender issue. When communities do not have safe water nearby, women and girls often travel long distances to fetch water, which can expose them to danger and violence.
Speaking during the programme, SALWACO’s Director of Communication, Gender and Outreach, Mary Mansaray Ngegba, said the company is committed to improving water supply while also promoting equality and safety in communities. She explained that better water access can reduce the risks people face and help women and girls live safer lives.
The outreach team, which includes gender and communication officers from SALWACO, used the sessions to educate both staff and the public on the importance of protecting women and ensuring that water services reach all people equally.
SALWACO said the campaign also supports its wider goal of providing reliable water supply across Sierra Leone, especially in areas where people still struggle to get clean drinking water. The company believes that improving water services will help strengthen communities and support national development.
The sensitization programme is expected to continue in other regions as part of efforts to promote safe water access and reduce gender-based risks in Sierra Leone.
