Gender Equality Sierra Leone Project #27808

Post-prison Support for 300 Women in Sierra Leone

by AdvocAid

Post-prison Support for 300 Women in Sierra Leone

Project Report | Dec 4, 2025
POST DETENTION SUPPORT FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS WHO COM

By Fatmata Bundeh Jalloh | South East Program Officer

*Jeneba* (not her real name) is a young woman from a very distant rural community in Sierra Leone. At a very early age, Jeneba found herself in contact with the law. She was arrested for a major offense. She was in a relationship with a man in their village where she was subjected to molestation, ill treatment and sexual abuse which led to an unfortunate situation that led her to come in contact with the law. She spent over 2 months in police custody during the investigations. This is a minimum timeline that suspects for major offenses did take in detention though the previous criminal procedure act prescribed that suspects should not be held beyond 10 days for major offenses.

During her time in detention, she faced extreme isolation and rejection. Despite repeated family tracing efforts by AdvocAid to reconnect her with her family and community, Jeneba’s relatives refused to accept her back, and no one ever visited her for all of her period in the correctional centre.

Throughout her incarceration, AdvocAid stood by Jeneba and ensured she was not left behind. She benefited from a wide range of support services such as welfare, Legal Education, Psychosocial Support and Registration for National Identification Card. This vital document allows her to access social services, financial opportunities, and other forms of identification critical for reintegration.

As part of her moving forward reintegration support: Upon her release, she was provided with a “release purse” to meet her immediate needs, rent allowance for her safe settlement by securing a place for her for two years and purchased household items.

Legal problem

When charged to court, Jeneba spent over 3 years on Remand as pre-trial proceedings continued. Her case like most accused persons for major offenses took longer at the magistrate court and in all of the sittings, no witness ever showed up. Upon conclusion at the magistrate court, she spent over 1 year awaiting indictment for the matter to continue at the high court. Due to series of follow up engagements with the court, AdvocAid succeeded in getting her indictment drawn and was served.

At the high court, AdvocAid continued to represent her and the matter was concluded without factual witnesses. She was found guilty of manslaughter and was sentenced to seven years imprisonment at the Kenema Female Correctional Centre.

Without the robust advocacy and timely intervention of AdvocAid, Jeneba would have continued to languish on remand at the Kenema female correctional centre, which to all intents and purposes could have culminated into serving a prolonged trial and longer sentence something which most women with domestic violence history have experienced due to their ignorance and lack of support when they come into contact with the law.

Jeneba’s journey has not been easy. The rejection from her family and community remains one of the biggest emotional scars she carries. The lack of government post incarceration support has made her reintegration process more challenging, as stigma towards formerly incarcerated women in Sierra Leone is still very strong.

Outcome of Support

Today Jeneba is embracing a new beginning, she is currently enrolled in a tailoring skills training program at a local shop where she is continuing to learn tailoring to become a professional seamstress. Alongside her training, she is engaged in petty trading by selling food in front of the tailor shop to sustain herself on a daily basis. This dual effort not only provides her with immediate income but also equips her with a long-term skill that will ensure financial independence and dignity in the future.

Conclusion

The case of Jeneba serves as an example of the critical role AdvocAid plays in ensuring post prison support particularly for vulnerable women and girls who are otherwise been unfairly treated within the Criminal justice system. However, with the right intervention and advocacy, we can challenge this norm and strive for a more equitable and just society ensuring government pays attention to supporting women and girls post incarceration as they survive the hurdles of coming into contact with the unjust laws and gender insensitive legal system of Sierra Leone.

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Aug 11, 2025
Post-Prison Reintegration Report

By Mercy Mariama Kamara | Programme Officer Makeni

Fatmata and her brother reunited

AdvocAid continues to support formerly incarcerated women through the National Federation of Go Bifo Women Sierra Leone (NFGW-SL). This survivor-led network utilizes a community-based, human rights, legal empowerment, and membership-driven approach to advance AdvocAid’s six core strategic goals.

One such case is that of Fatmata*** Bangura, a 45-year-old woman from Matinka Village, Tonkolili District. Fatmata, a mother of nine, was arrested in November 2024 and charged with murder following the death of her partner. She recounted a history of sexual abuse by her partner, which escalated during an altercation in November 2024. According to her, after refusing his advances and confronting him about his failure to pay her bride price, a fight ensued. During the struggle, her partner fell and died after hitting the ground with a stick. Fatmata fled in fear and was later arrested and charged at the Magburaka Magistrate Court in December 2024. She remained in detention at the Female Correctional Centre for several months.

Throughout the trial, the prosecution failed to present any witnesses. In March 2025, during AdvocAid’s routine monitoring visits, our staff met with Fatmata, provided welfare support, and engaged with the presiding Magistrate about her prolonged detention. Our Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ) Fellow also held a legal consultation to ensure her case was actively pursued.

In April 2025, AdvocAid received notification from the Officer in Charge at the Magburaka Correctional Centre that the charges against Marie had been dropped and she was released. Due to safety concerns, she was advised not to return to her marital community. As part of AdvocAid’s post-prison support under our GlobalGiving-funded initiative, Fatmata received transportation assistance and a welfare package to aid her reintegration. She was accompanied to her maternal home by our Bombali Program Officer.

Upon arrival, Fatmata expressed deep gratitude, stating:
"You gave me hope when there was none and showed me love even when my world seemed to be falling apart. This support speaks volumes. I’m ready to return to farming and promise never to go back to prison.”

The journey to her village, over 120 miles away, was completed by motorbike. Upon arrival, her elder brother—the town chief—welcomed her warmly. Surprised to learn of her incarceration, he assured AdvocAid of his full support for her reintegration. Contact details were exchanged, and AdvocAid formally handed Fatmata over to her family.

This case highlights the critical role of post-prison support in ensuring the dignity, safety, and reintegration of women affected by incarceration. Through the continued support of our GlobalGiving donors, AdvocAid remains committed to rebuilding the lives of women like Fatmata.

Fatmata*** Not her real Name

Fatmata outside the Correctional centre

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Mar 26, 2025
The Women Empowerment Initiative "Waka Fine Buses" extended to include Go Bifo Women!

By Jalahan Jakema | Programme Manager

In Sierra Leone, the legal system often disproportionately affects women, who face unique challenges when they come into contact with the law. Upon their release, the difficulties intensify, creating a cycle of disadvantage that makes reintegration into society nearly impossible. Without adequate support, these women struggle to rebuild their lives, leading to negative outcomes not only for themselves but also for their families and communities.

Some of the challenges include family dynamics and mental and emotional health. For example, stigmatization—upon release, many women experience social stigma that alienates them from their communities. This often leads to isolation, as family and friends may distance themselves due to preconceived notions about their character and past. Another is reestablishing financial stability, which presents a formidable challenge. Formerly incarcerated women frequently struggle to find employment due to their criminal records, leaving them with limited options to support themselves and their families. This financial strain can hinder their ability to rebuild lost businesses and reestablish family connections.

Through AdvocAid’s continuous efforts to work closely with the Sierra Leonean government, private sector, and all the other stakeholders, we are excited to share the news that some of the women we work with have benefitted from these efforts. On this year's International Women's Day, 8th March 2025, the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs launched the "Waka Fine Buses" initiative, designed to support accessible mobility for the residents of Freetown while simultaneously creating job opportunities for youth and vulnerable groups. This initiative addresses the urgent need for transportation solutions while focusing on the empowerment of women.

As part of this initiative, we are excited to report that ten members (of which seven have never been employed due to low levels of education) of the National Federation of Go Bifo Women Sierra Leone (also known as Go Bifo Women) have been selected for professional training in driving. Go Bifo Women comprises women and girls who have experienced incarceration and are committed to supporting one another in their reintegration journey. The Waka Fine Buses initiative will not only empower the women through skills development but also provide them with driver’s licenses, enabling them to secure employment in a sustainable and dignified manner. At AdvocAid, we see this as a huge success for women with a history of incarceration who often struggle to reestablish themselves after incarceration and grapple with anxiety and depression. We strongly believe that the reintegration of women post-incarceration back into their communities should be a holistic approach We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to GlobalGiving and all the individual donors who support our cause. Your generous donations empower us to participate in various meetings and conferences, allowing us to shed light on the challenges faced by women post-incarceration. The Waka Bus Fine initiative wwould not have happened without your support!that includes various ministries of government. We feel that with this initiative, we are truly moving in that direction, and we continue to hope that there will be more opportunities like this.

The implications of this initiative extend beyond individual employment. By fostering economic empowerment for women with a history of incarceration, we are contributing to the dismantling of societal stigmas associated with their past. This initiative serves as a testament to the resilience of these women and their potential to become contributing members of society.

Through the “Waka Fine Buses” initiative, not only are we addressing the unemployability of these women, but we are also promoting a culture of inclusivity and support, reinforcing the message that everyone deserves a second chance.

Going forward, we encourage other stakeholders and organisations to join us in supporting initiatives that empower women and vulnerable groups, ensuring that their voices are heard and their potential is realized. Together, we can create sustainable change and foster a more inclusive future for all.

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