2023-24 Trócaire Annual ROI Annual Report
Download HereHuman Development Index:
Ranked 181 out of 189 countries
Life expectancy:
54 years
Poverty:
58% live in poverty
Rugiatu and school friends. Rugiatu’s mother died during the Ebola crisis when she was only 7.
Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world. It has been affected by the legacy and trauma of a brutal civil war, as well as a devastating ebola outbreak. It is a country of huge natural wealth, with a soil rich in iron and diamonds. However, at the same time 58% live in poverty.
Violence against women is very common. One in two women have experienced domestic abuse in their relationships. It is also rare for women to be in leadership positions in this traditional society.
With your support, Trócaire is empowering women and girls in Sierra Leone. We improve livelihoods, promote women’s leadership and challenge violence against women. So that women and girls don’t go hungry. So they can live a life free of violence. So they can become leaders in their communities.
Human Development Index:
Ranked 181 out of 189 countries
Life expectancy:
54 years
Poverty:
58% live in poverty
Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranked 181 out of 189 countries on the Human Development Index.
A brutal 10-year civil war in Sierra Leone ended in 2002, leaving over 50,000 people dead. The economy was significantly affected, and the trauma of the war has left deep scars.
In 2014/2015, Sierra Leone was also affected by an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus. Over 20,000 people were infected in West Africa, over half of whom were in Sierra Leone. As well as the devastating loss of life, there has been a lasting impact on the economy and people’s livelihoods in the region.
The country remains with challenges including poor infrastructure, high levels of poverty and vulnerability, and weak economic governance. 58% of Sierra Leoneans are living in poverty.
Women face significant challenges in the country, including violence, high maternal mortality rates, and poor levels of education compared to men.
Women have limited participation in public leadership roles. This is reflected in the small number of women in elected and leadership positions. Women’s lack of voice and decision-making powers also extends to the household. Rural women in Sierra Leone can only access land through a male relative.
Violence against women is a significant issue. 51% of women in relationships have experienced physical, sexual or emotional violence committed by a husband or partner. Traditional attitudes remain pervasive. Trócaire research has shown that 74% of women feel that a man has the right to hit or beat their wife/partner for at least one reason.
Sierra Leone also has many natural resources including iron ore and diamonds which are potential sources of economic growth. However, corruption and poor regulation mean that most people don’t benefit from these resources.
Trócaire has supported programmes in Sierra Leone since the 1980s, focusing on women’s empowerment. In 2003, we began working to improve governance and political participation. Our country office was set up in 2007 to provide more support after the country’s civil war.
Trócaire’s work in Sierra Leone focuses on empowering women and girls through improving livelihoods, women’s leadership and addressing gender-based violence. We focus on Northern and Western Sierra Leone.
Our approach involves using an integrated programme. This has been designed to respond to the complex, multidimensional needs that poor, vulnerable women and girls face. It is integrated and concentrated, rather than focusing on isolated needs in dispersed communities.
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