Access to Justice for 500 Women in Sierra Leone

Police stations and Correctional Centres are poorly equipped in Sierra Leone. Police detention cells are overcrowded, with little or no light or access to food and water. In the Correctional Centres sanitary conditions are often poor, with basic food and water rations. Access to healthcare can be limited, with often Panadol the only drug available.

These conditions are challenging for any person, but can be particularly difficult for a person with an illness or health condition.

Hawa* has had diabetes for a long time. She had left it untreated, leading her to develop sore wounds on her feet. Walking, working and even sleeping became difficult. At this point, she knew she had to act. She didn’t have enough money to cover medical treatment, so she decided to ask her family for help, travelling from her home in Liberia all the way to Bo, in southern Sierra Leone, where they lived. Her hopes were soon shattered as her mother refused her any support. Out of desperation, Hawa took her stepfather’s phone and sold it to be able to cover her treatment. She was then arrested – not for theft or larceny, but for domestic violence. Sierra Leone’s definition of domestic violence includes economic violence, and it was argued she deprived her stepfather of his economic resources. The phone was worth 80,000 leones (approximately $8), but Hawa received a prison sentence of 18 months or a fine of 300,000 leones (approximately $30). With no money to pay for the fine, Hawa was detained in the Bo Correctional Centre.

Whilst in the Correctional Centre, Hawa’s condition worsened. She was still unable to access any treatment for diabetes and the wounds on her feet began to deepen. She felt abandoned and hopeless – on top of the medical neglect and pain she experience, she felt rejected by her family and relinquished to prison.

Our Programme Officer Jalahan is based in AdvocAid’s Kenema office, in eastern Sierra Leone, but regularly visits Bo Correctional Centre. During one such visit, she met Hawa. Jalahan fought hard for Hawa to be admitted to the government hospital. But even there, no insulin was available to treat diabetes. With thanks to donations AdvocAid receives through GlobalGiving, we were able to pay Hawa’s 300,000 leone fine, securing her release from prison. We were also able to provide her with a start-up grant, to contribute to the cost of medical treatment and help her travel back to her home in Liberia.

AdvocAid strives to divert as many women as we can from incarceration. In Hawa’s case, we did not meet her until after her trial and sentencing, but through the persistence of our Programme Officer we were able to secure her liberty and move forward.  

It is cases like Hawa’s that show that even small donations matter. In just the month of July this year, our paralegals and social workers took up the cases of over 50 women in conflict with the law, in cities across Sierra Leone. On behalf of the women and girls we work for, thank you for helping us provide access to justice to those who need it most. 

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Incarceration is often the outcome for women found guilty of a crime in Sierra Leone. On occasion, courts may impose an alternative sentence, such as a fine, for less serious offences. However, the reality is that many women – particularly those living in poverty – are unable to afford these fines and instead have to serve their term in prison. With support from your donations, AdvocAid has been able to help Abibatu* and Marie* pay their fines and avoid incarceration.

Abibatu, a young woman, was convicted of larceny. Following the death of Abibatu’s father, her brother decided to give the deceased father’s mobile phone to Abibaty to use. The father was polygamous, with other wives and children. One of these daughters disputed the brother’s decision to give Abibatu the mobile phone and decided to report her to the police station. During the police investigation, the brother was not contacted or interviewed as a witness – Abubatu was found guilty by the court and sentenced to 1 year in prison or a fine of SLL 800,000 (about $85). AdvocAid met Abibatu at the Bo Female Correctional Centre and learnt about her story. Abibatu and her boyfriend were only able to raise SLL 500,000 (about $60 – the monthly minimum wage in Sierra Leone) and AdvocAid was able to provide the remaining SLL 300,000.

Marie, also a young woman, was convicted of domestic violence. Her husband had abandoned her a year before, but her children remained living with him. Through them, she learnt he had begun another relationship. She confronted him about this – he alleges that she slapped him, she maintains that she only slapped the cup of poyo (palm wine) from his hands. She also noted to the police that he had physically abused her for several years before the abandonment. Nonetheless, the court found her guilty of domestic violence and sentenced her to 2 years in prison or a fine of SLL 1,000,000 ($120). Faced with two years away from her children, Marie’s family were able to raise SLL 500,000 but no more – AdvocAid was able to provide the remaining SLL 500,000.

Both Abibatu and Marie were released the day these fines were paid and return to their lives. It is with your donations that we were able to help these women avoid incarceration and return to their families, children and business. On behalf of the women and girls we work with, thank you very much for your generosity.

Next month Global Giving will be launching a bonus day; on July 18th any donations of $100 or over will be matched 100% by Global Giving. Please consider donating on July 18th - your donation will be doubled and directly support our work with incarcerated women and girls.

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*Names have been changed to protect the individuals’ identities.