By Josephine Nyeweah
A local non-governmental organization established in 2016, Radiance Centre for Education and Social Justice has ended a two-day nationwide Girls Empowerment Conference at St. Joseph Secondary school campus in BLAMA town Small Bo chiefdom Kenema district.
The aim of the conference is to continue ensuring that the girl child is empower and protected throughout especially during her academic journey.
In her statement, the Executive Director Radiance Centre for Education and Social Justice Abigail Suwu Kaindoh Esq. disclosed that every year Radiance as an organization holds its Annual conference on a rotational basis across the nation, adding that the main goal of the Organization is to engage, educate and empower young girls for a better future. Radiance believes that it is only through education that these girls can have a brighter future; that it continues to have positive impact on them at all times.
The Executive Director further explained that, as an organization they are currently working in four districts Port Loko, Western Rural district, Kenema and Bo district.
She said NYAPUI school of Excellence, Community Initiative Academy both from Kenema city, St. Joseph Junior and Senior Secondary schools from BLAMA town Small Bo chiefdom all of Kenema district and Harvest school Western Rural district took part in this year national conference.
The Executive Director revealed that Radiance Centre for Education and Social Justice is not getting any financial support at the moment, but they are in partnership in the form of advices. The programs are being sponsored through the Executive Director and other Co-Directors and with support from Board members. She called on national and International organizations to chip in with support, and the government too to come in with support through the Ministry of Education and Gender. She point out that with support from the government she hope that these engagements will improve the quality of female education above all the quality of education of Sierra Leone.
The UN Women’s representative at the conference Facial Lewalley gave contributions towards the empowerment of the young girls, and called on all parties to put hands on deck in supporting the empowerment of the girls.
Paramount chief of Small Bo chiefdom Kenema district PC Mohamed Daffie Benya appreciated the effort of Radiance Centre for Education and Social Justice for it efforts across the nation in empowering the girl child. He called for more support for them to continue there move across the nation.
A veteran politician Hon. Bernadette Lahai talked about the newly passed Gender Empowerment Act law, what it meant for their education and future, and advised them to make good use of the opportunity that is available in the law.
Distinguished Guest Speaker Hon. Justice Mrs. Tonia Barnette talked about the challenges the girls will encounter while going through the academic ladder and what they will gain in future.
She called on the parents, guardians and the children to continue making good use of the free quality education brought in by His Excellency the President Dr Julius Maada Bio. She cautioned the parents to always make sure that their children take advantage of the opportunity. She said this is not the time for you to continue giving market to your child to sell, send the child into early marriage, engage her too much into domestic work among others instead of them giving more attention to schooling. She called on the government and partners to give more support to Radiance Centre for Education and Social Justice so that more children in other schools across the nation can benefit.
Certificates and prize giving climaxed the conference.
