The Mayor of Freetown municipality, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, in collaboration with valued partners, has officially initiated the "Women for Water and Peace" (W4WP) Project in Freetown. This significant endeavor, with a budget of $1.5 million, aims to establish water kiosks, thereby providing the residents of Freetown with access to clean and safe water, addressing the longstanding water scarcity in the city.
Access to clean and safe water is a fundamental requirement for communities worldwide. However, in Sierra Leone, particularly in the capital city of Freetown, the availability of this essential resource has posed a persistent challenge. According to data from the World Bank, only a fraction over 10% of the country's population currently has access to clean and safely managed water.
The ongoing water kiosk project is designed to deliver clean and accessible water to multiple vulnerable communities within Freetown in a conflict-sensitive manner. Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has underscored the importance of collaborating closely with communities to tackle the water crisis, acknowledging the specific challenges encountered by women and girls, who often bear the responsibility of fetching water for their households.
Osman Jabbie, the Managing Director of Broad Engineering & Construction Ltd., provided insights into the project's design, emphasizing the potential benefits of entrusting the management of these kiosks exclusively to women, a move that was well received by the beneficiaries.
Beneficiaries Mariatu Serry and Fatmata Conteh expressed their profound gratitude for the project, recognizing its potential to significantly improve access to clean water for the residents of Freetown.
The implementation of the "Women for Water and Peace" Project will be undertaken in collaboration with various esteemed organizations, including the Federation for Urban and Rural Poor, Institute of Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ), West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Sierra Leone Labour Congress, and Sierra Leone Employers' Federation.
The project will focus on five wards in Freetown, namely Ward 401 - Mayinkineh, Ward 408 - Rokupa, Ward 435 - Dwarzak, Ward 442 - Lumley, and Ward 443 - Crab Town, with the overarching goal of enhancing water access and promoting peace and stability in these communities.
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