Four years ago I wrote an article entitled This is Sierra Leone; where RAPE is our biggest epidemic in the light of the rape and killing of 5 year old Khadijah Saccoh. #JusticeforKhadijah was flooded across every corner of Sierra Leonean cyberspace.
Five years ago, the #BlackTuesday movement was launched when prominent broadcast journalist Asmaa James was moved to take action after the rape that led to the paralysis of a five year old girl.
I ask myself, after 4 years - waetin don chenj (what has changed)??
Today is #BlackTuesday as it has been one week since the brutal death of 28 year old communications professional Sia Kamara who was allegedly beaten to death by her partner. Once again our timelines are flooded with justice for another - #JusticeforSia. The reported autopsy stated Sia had 7 broken ribs and a spinal cord injury.
This past week has been heavy and devastating for women and activists across the country. Following Sia's death, Monica Ghaliwa-Pabai - visually impaired gender activist went on social media sharing her story of abuse by her partner; former deputy minister of the then Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs - Mustapha Bai Attila or 'Attila' as he is popularly known as. Attila is (or at least was - I'm unsure if he still releases music) a musician and released a song called "Attilaman Dangerous". You know, maybe we should start taking people by face value when they introduce themselves as such.
This comes as even more of a shock to the public as Monica recently gave birth to twins. A distressed Monica on social media displayed bite marks and bruises caused by Attila...allegedly. I will spare you the graphic images of her ordeal, you're of course welcome to search for them. Fortunately it was reported over the weekend that she has gone to her mother's house with her children. I hope and pray she doesn't return.
We are now left with somewhat of a happy ending for Monica, and a tragic one for Sia and her family to bury their loved one whose life was cut far too short.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN SIERRA LEONE
Domestic violence is one of the most prominent forms of violence against women and girls in Sierra Leone and in the world. In Sierra Leone, domestic violence, rape and female genital mutilation (FGM) are the leading forms of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV).
According to UN Women, 1 in 3 women are victims of domestic abuse. Chances are every day you cross paths with a women who has been silenced by abuse.
In 2022, the Family Support Unit (FSU) published their reports on domestic violence in Sierra Leone with 8,899 reported cases overall.
Out of the 8,899 Eastern Region received and investigated 1,411 cases, noting 159 of those cases reported were charged to court, whilst 350 of those cases were closed. Police also revealed that 147 cases were kept in view, whereas, 755 are under investigation. The crime statistics also indicated that Freetown East Region investigated a total of 3,385 Domestic Violence cases, 54 cases out of these cases were processed and sent to court, 448 cases were closed, 533 cases kept in view, and 2,350 cases are still under investigation. - FSU.
Domestic violence (as other forms of structural violence in Sierra Leone against women and girls) has been so normalized. It doesn't help in some cultures and families that ostracize women who speak out and coerce them to stay with their abusers. According to AfroBarometer Dispatch No. 565 co-authored by Fredline M'Cormack-Hale and Maame Akua Amoah Twum, it states:
A majority (57%) of citizens say domestic violence is a private matter that needs to be resolved within the family. Close to four in 10 (37%) believe domestic violence to be a criminal matter that requires the involvement of law enforcement agencies.
THE LAW
Well, there is a law in place: The Domestic Violence Act of 2007 which states:
Any person who contravenes a protection order commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or to both such fine and imprisonment. (Article 19)
Despite this law and fine/imprisonment in place, women rarely benefit from this nor do they feel protected by it due to lack of enforcement and under reportings of domestic violence due to socio-cultural norms.
With this culture in place, it has led to women taken before their time:
Last week, it was Sia
In 2022, it was Sinnah
In 2016, it was another Sia...
When do these senseless acts of violence against women and girls end?
At this time, I would like to commend the press statements released today by feminist organizations L.A.W.Y.E.R.S, 50/50 Group Sierra Leone and Femme Collective that are currently circulating across various Whatsapp groups and social media pages. We cannot be complacent in the face of injustice and we cannot stay quiet either.
No one is born violent, it is taught. As Femme Collective stated in their press statement:
"Boys do not grow into violent men; violence is a learned behavior and a choice".
Therefore this can be unlearned. How do we nurture and cultivate a culture where our boys and men internalize a gender moral compass and stop violating women and girls?
Though the amendments in the Sexual Offenses Act is a step in the right direction; the law can only complement what society does and the truth of the matter is we have an entrenched society of rape culture, misogyny, sexism and objectification of women and girls as the 50/50 Group Sierra Leone pointed out in their press release.
SO WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE US?
I am numb. And I have decided to use my numbness to share the story of Sia and others. You can do your part by:
Men - I am talking directly to you. Use your influence and for goodness sake your privilege to discuss these issues in circles where women never enter. I'm not even going to go with the "You have a mother, a daughter, partner etc" spiel - nah. Your proximity and extension to a woman and girl is the bare minimum to not perpetuate violence against us. Honestly, it's just human decency. Talk to your brothers about this. We can't do this alone. We need allies.
We will not victim blame. Domestic violence is abuse and abuse manifests in different forms. Not everyone has the strength or resources to leave the first time it happens. We need to build better support structures and systems and by normalizing this discussion to encourage more victims to speak out and leave.
Accountability: I have unfortunately come across posts (by men might I add) questioning the mental health of Sia's alleged murderer. Mi laff dae hart, that's rich. I love how his mental health is now taken into account. Suffering from mental illness does not equate to violence nor is it a factor that should even be considered in this discussion. There are many people suffering from various forms of mental health conditions who are not violent. Check your internalized misogyny if this thought even crossed your mind. Norshineh.
Post and share. We don't know how far this can go and what legal ramifcations will be taken. But we can hope and pray for the next best possible outcome.
“I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own. Nor is any one of you.” - Audre Lorde.
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