GCN Sierra Leone
About Us
Girl Child Network Profile Background
Girl Child Network is a National Non-Governmental Organization NGO (CSO member) that seeks to promote the rights and holistic empowerment of the girl child in the home, school and community in Sierra Leone. The main issues we seek to address include girls’ empowerment, through sending them to school and supporting their talents which will empower them in the long run. We also want to address the issue of children’s rights, sexual reproductive health (Menstrual Hygiene), harmful cultural practices (FGM/C and Child Marriage), Gender-Based violence (GBV), sexual abuse rights, and rehabilitation of victims, and sports, arts/culture.
When we started GCN was established by Betty Makoni in 1998 out of the helplessness and hopelessness of the girls in Zimbabwe with the view to assisting girls in their quest for emancipation. Anita Koroma and team from the UK decided to replicate GCNW girl’s empowerment model in Sierra Leone 2011 in order to address the current trend of teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse, education/career pathway, sexual reproductive health (Menstrual Hygiene), early sex and marriage, child abuse and right, Confidence-building and non-achieving life of the girls to create renewed impetus to push Sierra Leone forward.
Mission
Who We Are
Vision
Girl Child Network is a National Non-Governmental Organization NGO (CSO member) that seeks to promote the rights and holistic empowerment of the girl child in the home, school and community in Sierra Leone. The main issues we seek to address include girls’ empowerment, through sending them to school and supporting their talents which will empower them in the long run. We also want to address the issue of children’s rights, sexual reproductive health (Menstrual Hygiene), harmful cultural practices (FGM/C and Child Marriage), Gender-Based violence (GBV), sexual abuse rights, and rehabilitation of victims, and sports, arts/culture.
Through GCN’s innovative model of establishing Empowerment Clubs led by young women themselves, the organisation supports girls under 18 in all aspects of life, not just education. In addition to providing a safe space for adolescent girls to meet, these clubs also run a number of projects which aim to build knowledge and skills on everything from leadership and confidence-building to sexual and reproductive health.
Meanwhile, GCNSL advocates and lobbies for the elimination of harmful cultural practices such as FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) and the introduction of laws and policies that minimize gender-based violence and promote the reproductive, economic, social and political rights of girls and young women.
Although GCNSL is still very much in its infancy, the number of adolescent girls enrolled in the Girls Empowerment Clubs has reached over 5,000 across the country and the number is still rising fast. “Rome was not built in a day,” declares Koroma, “and we work at grassroots level. If we don’t, African women will never make it. We are creating a sisterhood, starting with young girls.” GCNSL currently covers 3 out of the 4 provinces in Sierra Leone and strives to expand its reach to the whole country by the end of 2016.
Mission
Our mission Is to support and promote holistic empowerment of girls in the home, school and community and build platforms to advance their right and freedom so that they reach their full potential.
Vision
GCN SL envisage a society where girls are empowered and enjoy their rights with support from whole communities so as to walk in the fullness of their potential by creating an enabling environment to promote and protect the rights of the girl child.
Our Team
At Girl Child Network Sierra Leone, we take great pride in our diverse team of talented individuals who each bring a unique set of experiences and perspectives to the table. Our team members hail from various cultural backgrounds, and this diversity is reflected in our work philosophy. We believe in the power of collaboration and the strength that comes from embracing different viewpoints. Each team member is not just defined by their skills and expertise, but also by their individual personality and character. Whether it's through their passion for creativity, their compassionate nature, or their unwavering dedication to excellence, our team members are united in their commitment to delivering exceptional results while fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment. We invite you to get to know our team and connect with the individuals who make our organization special.
Our Happy Partners
