Freetown, Sierra Leone, 27 August 2022 - The Country Representatives of FAO, UNFPA and UNDP together with the Minister of Youth Affairs and the Deputy Minister of Agriculture concluded a 3-day monitoring visit to communities benefiting from an innovative project supported by the United Nations Peace Building Fund on 27 August 2022.

In partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Ministry of Agriculture, UNFPA, FAO and UNDP are implementing the integrated project titled ‘Empowering Youth at Risk as Resources for Sustaining Peace and Community Resilience’ in Tonkolili and Kenema Districts in Sierra Leone with funding from the UN Peace-Building Fund (PBF).

The monitoring visit covered eight communities in the two districts and provided the team with an opportunity to assess the impact of the project’s various components on beneficiaries and communities. The joint initiative is helping to transform lives of at risk youth by empowering young women and men to become decision-makers and creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.

UNFPA Representative, Nadia Rasheed noted that, “Communities are also challenging gender based violence and promoting family planning and sexual health and rights, with support of male peer educators and 'husband schools' that engage men to advance gender equality and reproductive health.”

Through support from UNFPA and the Fambul Initiative Network for Equality - Fine Sierra Leone, 18 husband schools have been formed to engage men as partners and advocates for gender equality.

Media Contacts:

John Baimba Sesay | Web and Media Analyst | UNFPA Sierra Leone | Tel. +232 30953193 | e-mail: jsesay@unfpa.org