ABC Development has successfully implemented a series of community trainings aimed at strengthening women’s leadership and accountability in Magbema and Munu Thallah Chiefdoms as part of its ongoing commitment to inclusive governance and women’s empowerment.
The activity was carried out under the project “Empowering Women and Adolescent Girls for Leadership and Political Participation”, focusing on training women’s groups and Community Accountability Committee (CAC) members on the use of social accountability tools. The training aligns with ABC Development’s broader objective of enabling women to actively engage duty bearers and influence decision-making processes at the community level.
Conducted between May 20 and June 6, 2024, the trainings took place in ten project communities. In Magbema Chiefdom, beneficiaries were drawn from Kapairoh, Kamaranka, Maselleh, Mathuraneh, and Masama, while in Munu Thallah Chiefdom, the activity covered Katic, Gonko Thallah, Anka Thallah, Gallan Thallah, and Matemie.
A total of 300 participants took part in the exercise, including 242 women and 58 men. The training was inclusive, with four participants—two women and two men—identified as persons living with disabilities.
According to ABC Development, the training was designed not only to help women understand their rights, but also to equip them with practical skills on how to demand accountability. Participants were introduced to key concepts of social accountability, including identifying duty bearers such as civil society organisations, the Family Support Unit, law enforcement agencies, local councils, and traditional authorities.
Women were also trained on how to identify priority community issues, monitor public and agricultural services, and engage relevant stakeholders through advocacy. The sessions emphasized solidarity and sisterhood as essential principles for collective action and women’s empowerment.
Practical exercises formed a key component of the training, with participants using community scorecards to identify challenges affecting them, including the lack of drying floors, storage facilities, toilet facilities, and milling machines.
ABC Development reported that the training recorded a high level of participation and interaction, supported by facilitation in both Themne and Krio to enhance understanding. The organisation also noted that effective teamwork among field staff ensured the successful delivery of the training across all ten communities.
In addition to the community-level activities, ABC Development’s Project Manager, Beatrice B. Bangura, provided mentorship and coaching to field staff to improve performance and effectiveness in field operations. She also participated in monthly management meetings, where project progress, challenges, and planned activities were reviewed.
The initiative reflects ABC Development’s sustained efforts to empower women and adolescent girls with the knowledge, tools, and confidence needed to participate meaningfully in leadership, governance, and community development.
