Post-prison Support for 300 Women in Sierra Leone

AdvocAid continues to support the National Federation of Go Bifo Women, Sierra Leone, a pioneering movement representing more than 150 women across Freetown, Makeni, Kenema, Bo and Kabala. These women, with lived experiences of the criminal justice system, have come together to advocate for rights, equal justice, and development, aspiring to create a society free from the discrimination that formerly incarcerated women and their children often face. As mothers, sisters, daughters, and community leaders, they work to prevent other women from experiencing the criminal justice system by educating communities about the realities of incarceration and contributing to penal reform that considers the needs of women and children living in prisons.

A central focus of AdvocAid’s support is to help the Federation build lasting partnerships essential for the Federation’s success. In March 2024, AdvocAid supported 25 members to participate in the International Federation of Formerly Incarcerated Women, where they connected with peers and established global principles for the network. Similarly, in May 2024, members attended a regional network conference hosted by the Formerly Incarcerated Women Africa Network. Here, the Federation developed a regional strategy and gained vital financial management skills, such as bookkeeping and savings techniques—knowledge crucial for personal and group economic stability.

This network and movement-building effort, backed by a seven-year strategy document developed in partnership with AdvocAid, aims to amplify the voices of incarcerated women on national and international platforms. Recognizing poverty as a key factor driving women into contact with the law, AdvocAid focuses on fostering peer support, economic empowerment, and advocacy to help these women transition toward sustainable livelihoods and break the cycle of poverty. These post-prison support initiatives are critical to the Federation’s ongoing rehabilitation efforts, creating safe spaces, community solidarity, and a stronger movement advocating for gender-sensitive justice reforms in Sierra Leone.

Only through continued support from donors can AdvocAid help build on these partnerships, enabling incarcerated women to be able to transform their lives and future generations.