Gender justice advocates call for improved accountability and resources

Activists and legal organizations in Sierra Leone and South Africa are calling for improved accountability and resources to combat gender-based violence (GBV).

In Sierra Leone, the Legal Access through Women Yearning for Equality Rights and Social Justice (L.A.W.Y.E.R.S.) held its 2026 Annual General Meeting to address barriers to justice for women and girls. The organization emphasized the need for inclusive discussions that recognize diverse experiences of violence and called for consistent accountability across all sectors of society. Participants highlighted the necessity of stronger collaboration between development partners and local institutions to improve support systems.

In South Africa, social movements organized multi-city marches to protest gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). Activists, including representatives from the Witzenberg Justice Coalition, highlighted the specific challenges faced by women in rural communities. These challenges include limited access to police stations, court systems, and legal counsel, making it significantly harder for rural victims to seek justice compared to those in urban areas.