Network AID 2024 message to her advisors, ambassadors and partners for being with us through 2023 which was the 1st and 2nd quarter of the organisation fiscal year. The challenges faced with and the gains made collectively. We look for to a more fruitful moment in 2024 and the remaining two quarters.

For this report, 2018 data were used for the review of vehicle standards; 2017 data were used for the review of legislation, road standards and post-crash care; fatality estimates were based on data from 2016 Key Figures - 1.35 million deaths each year - 8th leading cause of death for people of all ages - 3 times higher death rates in low-income countries than in high-income countries - #1 cause of death for children and young The rates of road traffic are high in Africa (26.6/100,000 people) and South-East Asia (20.7/100,000 people).  Globally, pedestrians and cyclists represent 26%, comprising another 28%. Car occupants make up 29% of all deaths Africa has the highest proportion of pedestrian and cyclist mortalities with 44% of deaths

The Global Health Estimates data accessed, analysed and used through a variety of different channels and mediums. These include an interactive visual summary of global and regional data; data visualization in the Global Health Observatory filtered by country, year, age and sex; key trends by country income group; and downloadable files of the complete data sets. In 2019, the top 10 causes of death accounted for 55% of the 55.4 million deaths worldwide. The top global causes of death, in order of total number of lives lost, are associated with three broad topics: cardiovascular (ischemic heart disease, stroke), respiratory (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower respiratory infections) and neonatal conditions – which include birth asphyxia and birth trauma, neonatal sepsis and infections, and preterm birth complications. Causes of death can be grouped into three categories: communicable (infectious and parasitic diseases and maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions), noncommunicable (chronic) and injuries. 

My takeaway from the training were: 1. SRGBV is critical and require maximum attention by all 2. SRGBV affect the community, family life and the advancement of a country 3. Social and gender norms are the biggest issues 4. Conflicting policies, legal framework, resources, week structural implementation provides avenue for SRGBV 5. Less family and community knowledge on SRGBV limit to act accordingly. 6. Information and knowledge from gender, social or development workers to the community related to gender, fiminism, culture, religion fuel non acceptance. i am pleased with the learning exchange and recommend for broader intervention in all the 16 districts in Sierra Leone.  How Do We Address SRGBV The following contributions were made: 1. Rasining more awareness in schools, families and community 2. Providing cash transfer to parent and familiies 3. Monitoring the implementation of existing policies and legal framework 4. strenthening the referal pathway 5. Advocate for compensiation of victims or survivors of SRGBV 6. Putting gender at the center of education and all works of life 7. leveraging hands-on tools for gender responsive teaching 8. Tracking gender bias amongst teachers, families, community and  school leaders As an organisation working with and placing illiterate persons especially women and girls at the center will integrate school related gender base violence into it health and safety programme. Thanks to Plan International and Education for All with support from UNG

Promoting Holistic Well-being: Mental health is not limited to the absence of mental illnesses but encompasses overall well-being. We discussed the significance of promoting positive mental health practices, such as self-care, stress management, and emotional resilience. Recognizing mental health as a universal right involves prioritizing prevention and early intervention strategies. Network AID encourages not only the government but also families, communities, and workplaces to accelerate and complement the stride, by developing a mental health policy plan that will aid the process. Mental Health is everyone's concern and we must act collectively to actualize that goal. Conclusion: Participating in the discussion on World Mental Health Day at Rise Radio 98.6 FM was a valuable opportunity to shed light on the significance of mental health as a universal human right. By advocating for accessible mental health services, challenging stigma, and promoting holistic well-being, we can create a brighter future where every individual has the support they need to thrive mentally and emotionally. Let us continue to prioritize mental health and work towards a world that recognizes and fulfils this fundamental human right for all.

Network AID therefore joined AMHHR calls on the Government of Sierra Leone to protect the rights of women and girls with mental health problems help improve access to and quality of mental health service delivery in Sierra Leone. The rights set out in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the rights recognized in the Declaration on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, means every person with a mental issues or  illness has the same basic rights as every other person. Many times, legal sanctions may not provide adequate protection for women with mental health problems; therefore, AMHHR calls on all mental health professionals, NGOs, women’s rights activists, and community stakeholders to join efforts in educating and changing community attitudes towards mental illness and advocating for human rights of all, especially women with mental illness. 

Mustapha is a 15 years old boy who was caught writing answers to possible test questions on his desk in school. The teacher who caught him forced him to strip to his underpants and run around the school ground three times as a punishment. All his classmates laughed at him and one of them, Isata, even made a video of Mustapha, which was uploaded to Facebook. An angry Mustapha met Isata at the riverside later and ripped off her shirt. Humiliated, Isata told her mother in the evening, who asked her to be quiet because she brought this upon herself. "After all Isata, what do you expect when you humiliates a boy?" her mother said.

Dear colleagues in the Mental Health struggle across the globe,  Today, as we mark Mental Health Day, DADA-SL invites you to join us in a collective endeavour to embrace the concept of inclusivity and unity in Diversity. In a world brimming  with the cacophony of modern life, it's easy to forget the quiet strengths within each of us. Inclusivity is never far fetched reaching dream; it's a vital part of our well-being that deserves our attention and care. Mental Health matters, should be regarded as the corner stones of our ability to thrive, interact, connect, and find happiness in the existence of our lives. Yet, Mental Health is a delicate tapestry, susceptible to the strains of stress, anxiety and the numerous challenges we faced daily.

It is with heavy hearts that we share the devastating news of the loss of a precious nine-year-old survivor, who passed away on Friday, October 13, 2023. In our arms, she fought bravely, her tiny body clinging to life, but the weight of her pain was too much to bear. We held her hand, whispered words of comfort, and provided the medical and psychosocial support she needed. But despite our tireless efforts and adherence to our protocols, her injuries were too severe, and she slipped away from us, leaving behind a void that can never be filled. This beautiful girl, with a radiant smile and dreams as vast as the sky, had her future stolen from her. She was just in primary four, embarking on a journey of education and limitless possibilities. But the darkness of sexual violence cast its shadow upon her innocence, robbing her of the joy and promise that should have accompanied her every step. Today, as we grieve her untimely departure, we cannot help but feel the weight of the injustice and heartache that surrounds this senseless act of violence. We are reminded of the urgent need to end Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in our society. We refuse to accept a world where innocence is stolen, where dreams are shattered, and where the most vulnerable among us suffer in silence.

In obsrvation of this year's Mental Health Day 2023 on the theme "Mental Health is a Universal Human Rights" Network AID embarked on series of actions- Media Engagement via radio stations; Production of video clip, Flyers for social media posting and Roundtable Discussion with interns and volunteers at conference room of its office secretariat. The roundtable discussion anchored on its local theme "Hey, Let's About Our Mental Well-Being.".  Powerpoint presentation on the local theme was done that form part of the discussion. The outlines of the presentation are:- 1. Mental Health Concept 2. Key Facts 3. Mental Health Determinants 4. Promotion and Prevention 5. Summary, and 6. Discussion. 

Closing Remarks after the 3 days Regional Training Workshop on Leveraging CSOs Networks for Conflict Prevention   focused on three priority issues as next steps:  1. Strengthen or Establish AU ECOSOCC Chapter: The need to strengthen or establish AU ECOSOCC national chapters across the Horn and East Africa region member states , as national CSOs Network for Peace and Security Architectures !  2. Cross Boarder Dialogue: The creation of a civil society cross border dialogue forum  to promote and enhance regional cooperation on peace and security interventions  in Sudan , Somalia , Ethiopia , and in support of the political transition in South Sudan .  3. Continuous Capacity Building: Need for Further training and capacity building initiatives, especially in conflict prevention tools - Early warning- data collection , analysis and reporting tools and mechanisms.  4. Resource Mobilisation: Step up joint financial resource mobilization efforts in the region. 

Illegal, unregulated, and undocumented fishing practices can have severe economic impacts on coastal communities and national economies. Sierra Leone, like many other countries, faces challenges in addressing this issue. Here are some strategies to mitigate the economic impact of these practices: ... By implementing a comprehensive strategy that combines legal measures, enforcement, community engagement, and international cooperation, Sierra Leone can mitigate the economic impact of illegal, unregulated, and undocumented fishing practices.

Solutions Addressing drug addiction among young people in Sierra Leone requires a comprehensive approach that involves multiple stakeholders, including the government, communities, families, and educational institutions, development  partners, traditional & religious leaders. Some potential strategies and interventions that can be considered include:

... Asenath Mwithigah further revealed that the Government of Sierra Leone has pledged to review the Child Rights Act, end Child Marriage as well as include FGM in the school curriculum among others, all aimed at ending FGM for minors and reiterated the need to hold discussions with all stakeholders to reach a common ground on the issue. She informed that "the position of the Government of Sierra Leone is that it is willing to end FGM" and clarified that her organization forms partnerships with CSOs on the ground to end FGM, disclosed that they also held discussions with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Women, Purposeful Production, the Amazonian Initiative Movement and WAVES among other CSOS in Sierra Leone. Asenath Mwithigah, "FGM is a human rights violation, pointing out that the death of the woman is one of such cases while many others are unreported underscoring that three suspects were arrested by the Police and released for lack of sufficient evidence, that there is a huge disconnect between investigation and prosecution and underscored the vital role of CSOs to end the practice that cannot be eliminated now but gradually and continued that people in the provinces, where the practice is widespread, must be continually sensitized". She also stated that "there is a lot of correlation between Sierra Leone and Kenya on FGM although there are different types of FGM practiced in Kenya and observed that women are angry that FGM, that used to be a taboo, is now discussed in the open", suggested that Sierra Leone should proffer alternatives to the practice and asserted that poverty plays a key role to promote FGM.

As part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, all countries - including Sierra Leone - are duty-bound to measure the extent to which FGM occurs amongst their population. It is vital that information is gathered and made publically available. Such data is invaluable in efforts to end FGM because it makes clear the need for action, and provides a baseline from which the scale up and effectiveness of interventions to end it can be measured. Importantly, by criminalizing FGM, Sierra Leone’s government would be meeting their committments to the African Union’s Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Maputo Protocol) and to the UN Convention on the Elimination Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). We, the undersigned, call on the Government of Sierra Leone to honor its national, regional, and international human rights obligations and finally fulfill its duty of care in protecting girls and women from FGM. SIGNED BY: 1. A Girl At A Time Sierra Leone 2. A Well Informed Adolescent (AWA) Initiative (Nigeria) 3. Aberdeen Women’s Centre (Scotland) 4. African Women Rights Advocates (regional) 5. Amazonian Initiative Movement (AIM) (Sierra Leone) 6. AMFE (Association pour le Maintien des Filles à l'École) (Senegal) 7. Arab Women Organization of Jordan (AWO) 8. Association Beogo-Neere (Burkina Faso) 9. Association de Developpement Durable et Equitable ADDE (Tunisia) 10. Association des Blogueurs du Bénin (AB-Bénin) 11. Association des Femmes Juristes de Côte D'Ivoire (AFJCI) 12. Association of the Egyptian Female Lawyers (AEFL) 13. Association Mairie des Jeunes du Bénin 14. Association pour l'Education et la Santé de la Femme et de l'Enfant (AESFE) (Mauritania) 15. Better Lives Foundation (Sierra Leone/ UK) 16. Bai Bureh Heritage Foundation (Sierra Leone) 17. Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CDHR) 18. Centre de Formation en Mécanismes de Protection des Droits Humains (Bénin) 19. Coalition des Volontaires pour la Paix et le Développement (Democratic Republic of the Congo) 20. Commission Indépendante des Droits de l'Homme en Afrique du Nord (CIDH) (Morocco) 21. Conseil National du Dialogue Social (Tunisia) 22. Construisons Ensemble le Monde (ONG CEM) (Democratic Republic of the Congo) 23. Cotton Tree Foundation SL (Sierra Leone) 24. DAPTAR (Russia) 25. David Sylvister Gindeh Memorial Counselling Foundation SL (Sierra Leone) 26. Droits Pour Tous (Côte d'Ivoire) 27. EducAid (Sierra Leone) 28. Education for Development (UK) 29. End FGC Singapore 30. End FGM Canada