In celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day, with the theme: ‘Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future In a Covid-19 World,’ The We Yone Child Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization registered in Sierra Leone providing sustainable education and care to underprivileged children in Kroo Bay and George Brook communities, and help to overcome the social and environmental problems that deepen and perpetuate the cycle of poverty in these communities with support from ‘Concern Worldwide‘ organized an event at the Kroo Bay community with over fifty children in a Marshal Art training for the past few months and as well as a football competition between the We Yone Child Primary School and Orthodox Primary School to the community to inspire and motivate other girls in other communities to believe in themselves. Their coach, during an interview, disclosed to us why they are engaging the children.
“Children, especially girls experience violence in this community. The essence of this boxing and Martial Arts training is for women to be able to tackle violence; especially sexual violence. So we are more focused on the young girls to give them the early training, to empower the girls to be able to self-defense when the need arises,” said Coach Desmond Coal.
Abigail Sesay, one of the participants said during an interview: “I am not a violent person, but I hear and see violence against women every day. I have joined this training to be able to defend myself against domestic violence. I want to be able to defend myself when I could find no one to come to my aid.”
The second segment of the program was the football competition, which, according to the organization, was geared towards promoting peace and ensuring that women’s and girls’ participation in what is known as “men’s sport” is greatly felt.
Hannah Kabbah, the Gender Desk Officer told us: “We feel good on this International Women’s Day to partner with Concern WorldWide to work in Kroo Bay Community, to do both the football competition and Marshall Arts. We are happy that women are now taking part in what was used to be called men’s activity in our country. We are certain that with the young people we are training in these communities, they will be future leaders in our country. We want to give our special thanks and appreciation to our partner Concern Worldwide for their support.”
The football match ended with 1 goal against the We Yone Child Foundation Primary School a goal scored by a 12-year-old girl in the 5 minutes of the first half.