Gender Equality Sierra Leone Project #27810

Supporting 350 Female Detainees in Sierra Leone

by AdvocAid

Supporting 350 Female Detainees in Sierra Leone

Project Report | Dec 9, 2025
FAMILY TRACING FOR WOMEN IN DETENTION

By Katumu Kamara | South East Paralegal

‘’Bintu’’ (not her real name), a 19-year-old single mother and the primary breadwinner for her family was arrested and detained on charges of Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm. The incident occurred at the place where Baindu works as a sex worker. According to her, she was at her usual spot when the complainant, Mariama Koroma, arrived to sell ready-made men’s dresses.

During this time, Bintu had her handbag containing the sum of Twenty-Five Leones (Nle25.00). After the complainant left the scene, Bintu couldn’t find her bag. Several days later, on April 16, 2025, Bintu saw her again at a market in Kenema City. She approached her and grabbed her by her clothes demanding her bag back. Fatu struggled to free herself, and the situation escalated until an unknown woman, later identified as the chairlady, intervened. She advised both parties to go to the police station, which they did.

At the police station, the complainant alleged that Bintu assaulted her. The police issued a medical request form only for the complainant, and Bintu was detained and subsequently charged to court. Baindu admitted to assaulting Mariama and expressed remorse for her actions, seeking intervention from AdvocAid to facilitate an informal resolution.

Interventions and Legal Support

AdvocAid paralegal informed client about our services while she was at the Magistrate Court. The paralegal also provided legal education about the charges, the investigation process, and her rights. Legal options for informal resolution (IR) were discussed with both the complainant and the accused and both parties agreed to settle the matter outside court.

The paralegal informed duty counsel about the case and they decided to engage the magistrate to request for an out-of-court settlement based on the complainant’s willingness which was granted.

Family Tracing and Welfare Support

During Bintu’s detention, AdvocAid paralegal conducted family tracing and provided welfare support including food, clothing and transportation. Bintu at the time of address wore a dirty dress which was not good for her to appear before the court. With the support, AdvocAid restored the dignity of the accused and enabled her to have communication with her relatives who did not know her whereabout.

Outcome and Appreciation

Bintu and her family expressed heartfelt gratitude to AdvocAid for the timely intervention. She stated “Had it not been for AdvocAid’s intervention, I could have been in incarceration for a long time.”

This case was successfully resolved through legal support, family tracing, and welfare assistance, reinforcing AdvocAid’s commitment to protecting vulnerable women and girls in contact with the law.

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Aug 12, 2025
Women, Girls and Infants living in detention

By Jalahan Amara Jakema | Programme Manager

At AdvocAid, we believe that every woman, girl, and child deserves dignity, protection, and an enabling environment — even when in detention. While we continue to advocate for alternatives to juvenile detention, such as the diversion model, we also provide practical, life-changing support to those who remain in correctional facilities, approved schools, and remand homes.

During one of our welfare support visits in Freetown, the atmosphere was filled with hope. Children recited moving poems, sang songs with powerful messages, and danced with joy — brief but precious moments that reminded everyone of their resilience despite the harsh reality of life in detention. • 120 women in detention • 2 juvenile girls and 48 juvenile boys at the Approved School and Remand Home • 5 children living with their mothers in detention The packages included food items such as garri, sugar, and milk for all, with slippers for the juveniles, and nutritional, sanitary, and clothing support for the youngest children. These children are particularly vulnerable — the government provides only minimal medical visits for their mothers, leaving all other needs unmet.

In many cases, they receive no support from relatives. Without AdvocAid’s intervention, these children would go without basic necessities. One mother told us: “We have been abandoned by our relatives. If not for AdvocAid, we would not have food and other items for our babies.” A juvenile girl shared: “We are grateful for the support provided by AdvocAid — other organizations hardly remember to support us.” Our intervention does more than fill an immediate gap — it helps women, girls, and children live with dignity, supports healthy growth for the youngest detainees, and reinforces that they are not forgotten. • Provided prompt nutritional and sanitary aid for children living with their mothers in detention. • Restored dignity and hope for women and girls through basic personal items.

The children living in detention with their mothers require monthly welfare support — baby foods, sanitary supplies, and clothing — to ensure their health and wellbeing.

AdvocAid also aims to extend emergency support to children held in police stations and provide post-prison assistance to women upon release.

With your continued support, we can meet these urgent needs and work toward a future where no child grows up behind bars.

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Mar 11, 2025
AdvocAid distributes 15 welfare packs at Makeni Female Correctional Centre

By Mercy Bangura | Programme Officer, Makeni

On the 7th of January 2025, AdvocAid celebrated International Women’s Day by furthering its commitment to support women incarcerated in Sierra Leone through its campaign, "Supporting 350 Female Detainees." This initiative addresses the unique challenges faced by female detainees in a justice system predominantly designed to accommodate men.

In Sierra Leone, women and girls in detention contend with numerous adversities, including a severe lack of access to legal representation and inadequate facilities that fail to cater to their specific needs. Prisons are structured primarily for male populations, leading to significant gaps in policies, routines, and essential facilities. Issues like menstrual hygiene, health screenings, and support for lactating mothers are often overlooked, exacerbating the already dire conditions faced by these women.

The stigma surrounding female incarceration often leads to family abandonment, diminishing the likelihood of visits and emotional support from loved ones. Additionally, many women lack basic personal hygiene products, making their experience in detention even more challenging.

In response to these pressing needs, AdvocAid’s dedicated staff, led by Programme Officer, Mercy Bangura, from the Makeni office, made a heartfelt visit to the Makeni Female Correctional Services. During this visit, they distributed welfare packs to 15 women, each containing essential items such as gari, sugar, milk, slippers, wrappers, and soap. This gesture was met with immense appreciation from the recipients, highlighting the impact of such initiatives on the lives of those who feel forgotten by society.

The support provided by AdvocAid is a crucial step toward alleviating the hardships faced by female detainees in Sierra Leone. By ensuring access to basic necessities and acknowledging their humanity, AdvocAid is not only improving the immediate conditions of these women but also advocating for a more equitable justice system that recognizes and addresses the needs of females within its confines.

As we move forward, we want to thank GlobalGiving and all the individual donors using this platform to support our mission. Your continued commitment to supporting AdvocAid in its mission to empower and uplift women in detention, ensuring that they receive the care and respect they deserve during their incarceration is truly appreciated.

Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of these women, paving the way for a more just and compassionate society.

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