Freetown 24th February 2026– CAUSE Canada, in partnership with CAUSE Canada Sierra Leone, has officially launched the EmpowerHER Project (2025–2032), a seven-year initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada. The project, unveiled at a ceremony held at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown on Monday, 23rd February 2026, targets 480 rural communities across seven districts and builds on the earlier “Mi Small Wef No More” pilot.
The launch was attended by government officials, civil society leaders, and international partners, all united in their commitment to advancing the rights and opportunities of adolescent girls and women.
National President of the Children’s Forum Network, Philipa Cride Dole, described the launch as more than a symbolic event. “This is a commitment to every girl who dares to dream beyond limitation, who refuses to let harmful practices and poverty define her future,” she said. She emphasized that empowerment is not a privilege but a right, urging the project to promote leadership, support economic empowerment through entrepreneurship, and challenge harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM). “Investing in girls is not charity, it is strategy for nation building,” she added.
Executive Director of CAUSE Canada, Wendy Fehr, reaffirmed the organization’s mission of sustainable, integrated community development. “Our work is built on long-term, collaborative relationships. We stand alongside people living in extreme poverty in rural and marginalized communities, helping them overcome barriers to education, health care, and economic opportunity,” she explained.
Chairperson of the Sierra Leone Child Rights Coalition, Boi-Jeneh Jalloh, welcomed the project as a comprehensive initiative that amplifies the voices of women and girls in the pursuit of gender justice. She noted that girls remain the most vulnerable and require special protection.
“This project recognizes that health, education, and empowerment are critical to the development of children. Objective three, which challenges gender and social norms, excites me most because it ensures this is not just a project for girls, but for every child and community,” she said.
Jalloh also referenced the Child Rights Act of 2025, which civil society had criticized for not fully protecting children from harmful practices like FGM. She expressed hope that EmpowerHER would help bridge those gaps.
Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Charles Senessie, recalled his early encounters with CAUSE Canada in the 1990s, when the NGO supported young doctors with resources to roll out sexual and reproductive health interventions in remote areas.
From the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Alpha Bangura, Director of School Quality Assurance, highlighted the project’s role in promoting access to sexual and reproductive health services.
“When girls have knowledge and access to reproductive health services, they are more likely to stay in school, graduate, and further their education. Integrating this into our school curriculum supports government’s agenda of radical inclusion,” he said.
The Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs shared her personal story as a product of CAUSE Canada’s interventions, noting that EmpowerHER would serve as a catalyst to operationalize legislative reforms, including the Child Rights Act of 2025. She pledged to work toward achieving Zero FGM in Sierra Leone.
Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, expressed gratitude to CAUSE Canada and linked the project to President Bio’s national priorities.
“President Bio has focused on education not just to pass exams but to acquire knowledge. That is why government is investing 22% of the budget into education. Next is empowering women and girls, and ensuring health and food security. With a healthy, food-secure, and educated populace, we have what we need to build the nation,” he said.
Doing the official launch Dr. Demby outlined the government’s new partnership framework, emphasizing the “four A’s”: Accompany, Alignment, Accelerated pace, and Accountability. He urged development partners to align with Sierra Leone’s vision for holistic transformation.
The official launch concluded with a strong message: EmpowerHER is not just another project, but a national commitment to dignity, equality, and opportunity for girls and women. By tackling harmful practices, promoting education, and supporting economic empowerment, the initiative aims to transform communities and strengthen Sierra Leone’s path toward inclusive development.
