Building feminist lawyers in Sierra Leone

Ensuring Justice for Hawa: How AdvocAid Restored Hope to a Mother of Two

In Sierra Leone, the law is clear: every person accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Yet, for many vulnerable women, this principle often feels out of reach. Arbitrary arrests, prolonged detention, and lack of access to legal support mean that countless women suffer unjustly.

This was the case for Hawa***, a 36-year-old mother of two and small business owner. Like many women in Sierra Leone, Hawa worked hard to provide for her family. She bought and sold goods on credit, a common practice in informal markets. When a business transaction went wrong, and she could not immediately repay a balance of Le 27,000 (about $1,000), her colleague reported her to the police. Within days, Hawa was arrested, charged with fraudulent conversion, and sent to the Ross Road Magistrate Court.

Although the alleged offence was a bailable one, Hawa was not granted bail. She spent three weeks in remand at the Freetown Female Correctional Centre—separated from her children and without the means to hire a lawyer.

That is when AdvocAid stepped in. Our paralegal first met Hawa at the court’s female lockup and explained her rights. Recognizing her vulnerability, we immediately linked her with our Duty Counsel, Lawyer Umu Sesay, who provides free legal representation for women who cannot afford it.

At Hawa’s next court appearance, Lawyer Sesay successfully applied for bail, allowing Hawa to reunite with her family and continue her business. Beyond securing her release, AdvocAid also supported Hawa and the complainant in reaching an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) settlement. Under the agreement, Hawa will repay the outstanding balance in manageable monthly installments, avoiding further imprisonment and preserving her livelihood.

Without this timely intervention, Hawa could have faced months in prison—or even a sentence—over a minor debt. Instead, she now has the chance to rebuild her life, care for her children, and maintain her dignity.

At AdvocAid, we believe no woman should suffer unjustly because she cannot afford legal representation. Hawa’s story shows the life-changing impact of providing women with access to justice, compassion, and fair advocacy. Together with supporters like you, we will continue to stand beside women and girls caught in the justice system—ensuring they are not silenced, but empowered.

**** Hawa not her real name

Your support helps women like Hawa find justice, freedom, and hope.