SEND SIERRA LEONE: EMPOWERING THE PEOPLE OF KAILAHUN TO FIGHT POVERTY

Transcription

1 SEND SIERRA LEONE: EMPOWERING THE PEOPLE OF KAILAHUN TO FIGHT POVERTY

2 Outline 1. Introduction 2. National Political and Economic Context 3. Kailahun Livelihood Security Development Program 3.1 Key Activities 3.2 Key Achievements 4. Kailahun Women in Governance Program 4.1 Key Activities 4.2 Key Achievements 5. Health Sector Governance 5.1 Key Activities 5.2 Key Achievements 6. Enhance Interaction Between State and non state Actors 6.1 key Activities 6.2 Key Achievements 7. Management and Administrative 8.1 National Executive Council 7.1 Human resources 7.2 Logistic and transportation

3 1. Introduction: Hundreds of rural women, food crop farmers, blacksmiths, millers and petty traders were empowered with credit, technical and social skills by SEND s programs to combat poverty in Kailahun District. The community based credit unions in Kissi Tongi, Upper Bambara and Luawa established by the Livelihood Security Development Program(KLSDP) have mobilized approximately Le 1,078, 416, ( US$ 250, 785) in savings that are being used to service the credit needs of nearly 678 members. Through the Mama Di Come Micro-Finance Services, 804 out of 1,350 members of the Rural Commercial Women (RCWA) have accessed Le107, 209 ( US$ 107, 209 loans to invest and expand small scale enterprises in their communities. Under the Kailahun Women In Governance Program (KWIG) Kailahun Women in Governance Network (KWIGN ) comprising 100 women groups was established solely to champion increased women s representation in the political administration of district. KWIGN is working with the three major political parties ( Sierra Leone People s Party(SLPP), All People Congress(APC) and Peoples Democratic Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) ) and district council to increase the number of women to be elected in 2012 as councilors and parliamentarians. Through Strengthening Women Participation In The 2012 Election project, SEND is facilitating the KWIGN, District Youth Council (DYC) and Traditional Authorities(TA) to jointly mobilize and support women to register and vote in the forthcoming general elections. Accountability and transparency is being strengthened in the implementation of the Basic Package of Essential Health Services (BPEHS) by the 77 Peripheral Health Units (PHUs) in the district. SEND and District Health Management Team (DHMT) through the Health Sector Governance Program have developed 103 Good Governance Indicators(GGI) to hold the PHUs accountable for the effective and efficient delivery of BPEHS. Enabling the stakeholder institutions and principals/ direct beneficiaries to hold SEND accountable is built into all programs. Mechanisms to facilitate downward accountability include the steering committees, community accountability notice board, community accountability forums, radio phone-in programs, participatory monitoring teams, reports and memorandum of understandings/partnership agreements. 1 Exchange rate Le4300= US$1.00

4 This report is organized into sections: (i) National political and economic context (ii) Kailahun Livelihood Security Development Programme (iii) Kailahun Women in Governance programme (iv) Strengthening Kailahun Health Sector Governance for effective health service delivery (iv) Organization and Management and (v) Future Outlook. 2. National Political and Economic Context Despite the global economic crisis, Government of Sierra Leone commitment to poverty reduction and deepening good governance practices remain unchanged. With the exception of isolated skirmishes involving foot soldiers of the SLPP and APC the political situation was peaceful characterized by vibrant media and an active civil society. Pro-poor policy initiatives in health, education and agriculture as well as infrastructural projects driving the Agenda for Change: Sierra Leone Poverty Reduction Strategy, the policy frame work of the government. Rehabilitation of the rural road network, promotion of tele communication facilities in rural districts, expansion in banking services and strengthening of government institutions are creating enabling environment for small scale enterprises. Petty trading and artisan enterprises, the main sources of livelihood for the poor have started to take roots, growing and transforming the rural economy where SEND is operating However the economic situation remain dire for the 60% of the population below the poverty level as inflation climbed from 11 in 2010 to 20% in The national Election Commission initiated processes towards general elections in 2012 and Sierra Leonean are looking forward to the opportunity to freely choose their political leaders including the President, members of parliament and district councilors. 3. Kailahun Livelihood Security Development Program Summary of goal and objectives To contribute to livelihood security in the district through increased (i) rice production in the operational chiefdom (ii) income levels of the occupational associations and Rural Commercial Women Association members and (iii) access to productive resources and sharing of domestic chores by women and men respectively and rise in utilization of modern family planning methods by all principals

5 3.1 Key Activities A market survey to identify suppliers of spare parts of rice milling machines, scrape metals for blacksmiths, and improved rice seeds was undertaken by the Occupational Associations (OAs) involved the rice value chain development activity. The survey covered Freetown, Bo and Kenema. Jointly Quarterly Review Meetings of the leadership of the OAs from the three Luawa, Upper Bambara and Kissi Tongi chiefdoms were held. These joints meeting were used to sensitize members of the benefits to belonging rice production hub. The leaders were also trained on basic principles and practices of group management. The Skills and knowledge gained by the leaders were used to conduct monthly meetings in their respective chiefdoms to explain to their members twin concepts : rice value chain development and rice production hub. A 12 million Leone revolving loan fund to support the 103 blacksmiths access scrap materials was established. Credit union and micro-finance education and training activities were undertaken to mobilize new members. The contents of the education included values, principles, benefits, loan and saving policies as well membership requirements of a credit union The need for members to save regularly and to pay loans were the main themes of the education involving the membership. An external audit of the credit union was conducted by staff of Credit Union Association of Ghana. The findings of the audits were used by the boards to prepare a 3 year business plans to grow and strengthen their respective credit unions. More than 800 Rural Commercial Women Association (RCWA) members were educated on the principles and benefits of the Mama Da Come Micro-Finance Scheme. Peer health educationscheme to promote safe sex was initiated in two schools in the Kailahun township. The gender model families in chiefdom met each month to support each other and diverse strategies to disseminate their experiences to the wider communities. SEND s accountability notice boards were established in Kailahun, Pendumbu and Buedu. Program related expenditures incurred in each chiefdom is posted on the notice board every quarter. Semiannual community accountability meetings are organized for beneficiaries and other stakeholders to discuss the expenditure statements and activity report with SEND s management 3.2 Key Achievements Fourteen rice productions hubs have been established. The communities making up each hubs were sensitized, OAs organized and agreed to work together to develop the rice value chain. Approximate income of Le 33,109,000 (US7,710) generated by the 103 blacksmith is presented in the table below and doubles the initial 12millionn ( US$ 2,790.69) seed money used to set-up the revolving loan fund.

6 Table: Tools and estimated income earned by Blacksmith Types of tools No. produced Income( le) Cutlasses , 540,000 Axe 166 1,328,000 Brushing Knives 849 8,160,000 Hoe ,000 Cocoa harvesting knives ,000 Rice harvesting knives ,000 Total income 33, 109,000 The credit union members experienced steady growth from about 592 in 2010 to 676 in 2011 with Women accounted 26% of the account holders in Figure Credit Membership Chart

7 Accumulated income ( savings plus share) is highlighted in the figure xx below rose from Le, 478,930,763 (US$111, ) in 2010 in 1,078,416,032 in 2011 (US 250, 785) Figure: Accumulated income in 2010 & 2011 Total loan disbursed is presented in the table below and it more than doubled between 2010 and 2011 jumping from Le121, 536, 000 (US$28, ) to Le 318,142,000 (US$73, ) respectively.

8 Beneficiaries were 77 and 141 in 2010 and 2011 respectively with the majority being men took loans. They investment in small scale enterprises, housing, payment of school fees and health bills. Table Luawa Credit Union loan beneficiaries and activities financed What activities loan financed Petty trading Building 1 2 School fees 3 1 farming 0 1 Total Table Upper Bambara Credit Union loan beneficiaries and activities financed What activities loan financed Petty trading Building 0 3 School fees 2 2 farming 1 5 Total Table Upper Kissi Tongi Credit Union loan beneficiaries and activities financed What activities loan financed Petty trading Building 1 3 School fees 3 2 farming 5 10 Total 24 49

9 Like the credit unions, as seen in the three tables Mama Di Come which is targeting solely women registered rapid growth in beneficiaries and amount of loans it disbursed between 2010 to 2011 Table: Credit and Saving Association in Mama Di Come, 2010 and 2011 chiefdoms Luawa 2 7 Upper Bambara 2 4 Kissi Tongi 2 4 Kissi Tengi 0 3 Total 6 18 Table: Beneficiaries in Mama Di Come, 2010 and 2011 chiefdoms Luawa Upper Bambara Kissi Tongi Kissi Tengi Total Table: Accumulated Loan Disbursed by Mama Di Come, 2010 and 2011 chiefdoms Luawa 26,000, , 600,00 Upper Bambara 27,000, ,100,000 Kissi Tongi 26,000, ,000,000 Kissi Tengi 0 79,300,000 Total 83,300, , 100,000

10 4.0 Kailahun Women in Governance Project Summary of goal and objectives The goal of this program is to promote increased representation of women into elected positions in district through: (i) rights claiming by women (ii) Women holding authorities accountable (iii) civil society working together 4. 1 Key activities Various activities to enable the KWIGN develop the capacity to demand and claim socioeconomic political rights of women were implemented. Two exemplary women leaders( Women leader of the years and Upcoming Women leaders ) were celebrated on International Women s Day to serve as inspirations to women especially young girls in the district. Thirty (30) Zonal Executive Committees members of KWIGN participated in the training on how to plan, implement and monitor advocacy events. A Women in Governance Fund has been established in the 3 wards with women councilors and the 175 beneficiaries include all the 15 women members of the ward development committees. Ward Development Offices equipped with a meeting hall, chairs and benches were built in the 3 wards with women councilors. KWIGN worked with Tegloma Drama Group to produce a DVD to be used to train women s on their socio-economic and political rights stipulated in the three Gender Acts and CEDAW. KWIGN members have used the 30 minute DVD to conduct sensitization workshop on the Women s Rights in all the 14 chiefdoms. The three women councilors held town hall meetings to account to their constituents for development projects. Gender monitoring teams have been established in the 3 wards with women councilors and have assessed the implementation of development projects. A Performance Report Card of the 28 councilors was prepared by women, youth and persons with disability and findings was presented to the District Council. One of the women councilor scored the second highest marks. The assessment was based on the core functions of the councilors in the 2004 District Decentralization Act. The District Council held zonal workshops to sensitize traditional authorities, youth groups and ward development committees on the gender action plan it prepared in District and zonal executives met to develop a road map for the organizational development and growth of KWIGN. Learning visit by members of the KWIGN including representative of the women councilors was made to Koindadugu Women s Network. The purpose was to learn how it was able to secure the highest number of women elected as councilors in the country during the 2008 election.

11 A capacity assessment of Radio MOA was followed by the establishment of Women on the Move, a bi-monthly program. Women on Move is a platform dedicated to educating and mobilizing grassroots support to promote and sustain gender equity in governance in the District. The Project Steering Committee of 25 members met every six months to review progress and advice implementation team 4.2 Key Achievements One year after it was established by 100 grassroots based women organizations KWIGN has become a dream come through for women activists: I have searched for allies to push the agenda for gender equality for years in vain; SEND and Women Network may be catalyst for this long awaited dream says Stella. The KWIGN is recognized by council, traditional authorities and civil society as the leading voice championing women in governance in the district because: (i) women solidarity and unity is being fostered by the non-partisanship, non religious and non ethnic base of its membership; (ii) settling disputes involving women; for instance since 2008 the women of Koindu have been divided between the incumbent woman councilor and the woman she defeated ; KWING, has resolved the conflict and the women are united and working together to ensure that the most qualified woman wins the seat in 2012 elections. (iii) all the political parties are under pressure from the women to implement their gender action plan which commits them to have 30% of the nominees in the 2012 elections to be women. The effectiveness of the women s pressure was evident during the March 2011 Bye Election in Pendembu when all the political parties nominated a woman candidate and SLPP xx was victorious ( have her picture here) (iv) KWIGN executives have negotiated with the authorities to reduce the tax impose on women petty traders. (v) xx of grassroots women were sensitized by KWIGN executives on the women s rights to participate in governance The women leadership award has made women leaders visible by publicizing their extraordinary and amazing services especially to the youth, and girls in particular. Biographical notes on the two Women leaders award winners

12 Isata Ndoleh, Kailahun Women Leader, year old; was born in family of 15 wives and has 60 siblings; was to drop out of secondary school to get married; single parent who has successfully educated her 4 children to complete university education Self employed business women trading in palm oil Rights advocates especially of women, children and persons with disability Volunteer social workers for NGOs including International Rescue Committee to provide psycho-social counseling and services to victims of sexual violence Member of ward development of Luawa Uses the radio to educate women on their rights and to promote child education President of the Luawa Chiefdom Rural Commercial Women Association Vice Chair of the Luawa Community Credit Union a position it has demand increased credit for women Stella Moifengeh Ansuman Up coming Women leader 35 years old, BA, community Development and trained education -Hailed from Daru-where she currently teaches in the Provincial Islamic Jr. High School -Motivated to become teacher by the high drop rate among girls, rape and abuses meted to young girls during the war years of the 1990s -Liaises with NGOs and government departments to offer scholarship to girls Strongly against perpetuators of gender based violence in all of its forms -Is popularly call: campaigner & Advocator for Women and Girls - The winners are invited to programs and events in and outside the district to share the experiences that qualify them for the award. Interactions between the 3 women councilors and their ward development committees has increased. Of the 28 wards in the district it is only the 3 wards with women councilors that have development offices for the of councilor and ward development committees. Issues of poor accountability and weak supervision of district council sponsored projects have been highlighted by the monitoring activities of the ward development committees. The women councilors more than their male counterparts are vocal in exposing corrupt practices and weak accountability in development projects administered by the council. The practice of communities holding councilors accountable is being successfully pioneered by the GTF project activities. Both the communities and councilors consider the accountability process as empowering and are desirous of continuing with it. Eight hundred and fifty five (855) citizens in the three wards with women councilors participated in community accountability forum during which the councilors accounted for development projects

13 implemented under their stewardship. Initially the councilors Performance Report Card to be prepared by their constituents was seen as threat by most councilors. However when it was completed majority of the councilors showed interest in discussing the results with their constituents and are keen for SEND to repeat the exercise every year. The 2011 to 2013 district development plan, is gender sensitive as it incorporates the entire gender action plan developed in 2010 by Council. With a gender sensitive development plan, council and its development partners, can now be held accountable for gender equity promotional projects. Development agencies such NGOs are expected t o lean and base their interventions in the district on the gender sensitive development plan developed by the council. Gender inequality in education, health and governance are no longer taboo subject on Radio Moa and Sierra Leone Board casting Corporation (SLBC). Panelists including women councilors, traditional leaders, leaders of political parties, women activists and callers to the Women on Move have discussed corruption and misuse of district resources, male-biasness in council, rights of women to elected offices, domestic violence and women leaders in the district. With the support of BBC Trust (BT ) Radio Moa capacity to deliver the program has been strengthened. Two KWIGN members were recruited and trained by BT and they are responsible for program development and presentation. Similarly BT re-organized, trained and supply set of radio to each listener group. With radio the feedback of the listeners groups to the presenters of Women on Move has improved. 5. Health Sector Governance project Summary of goal and objectives -increased demand for improve health services by target communities -strengthen capacity of communities and kaliahun DBOC to collaborative monitor and advocate -Strengthened DHMT and DHC capacity to coordinate and provide publicly accessible and reliable health data - Increase capacity of local NGOs to facilitate and sustain effective maternal and child health service delivery governance program 5.1 Key Activities The Inception activities included (i) PHU performance assessment and baseline survey, (ii) establishment of the project steering committee, (iii) introductory meeting to sensitize stakeholders (iv) partnership agreements, (v)

14 establishment of procurement committee, (vii) purchase of equipment and recruitment of key staff. Sensitization workshops on the government free health care policy were organized for village health committees, staff of the council traditional authorities, DBOC members. In addition, DBOC and key staff of the DC participated in a workshop to educate them on the principles and values of the Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&E). Chiefdom PM&E Teams were established and sensitized on their roles and responsibilities during PM&E activities. An assessment by a team comprising SEND staff and DHMT to determine the winner of 2011 MDG Award was completed. The first Four Monthly Strategic Meeting involving the DC, DHMT, SEND, INNGO andn NGOs in the health sectors was held. 5.2 Key Achievements Stakeholder institutions including the DC, DHMT, PHUs, KWIGN and DBOC effectively sensitized on their roles and responsibilities and mobilized to partner SEND and MCSL to implement the project. The first comprehensive survey to assess the performance of all the 76 PHUs in the district towards the delivery of the BPEHS was completed. The findings was used to: develop 103 Good Governance Indicators (GGI) that can be used to hold the PHU accountable for implementation of the BPEHS and MDGs. prepare Performance Measurement Guide for the project which includse the baseline data, description of the indicators and monitoring tools. identify the first winners of the MDG Awards establish to promote implementation of the BPEHS and the attainment of the MDGs. The first Patient satisfactory Survey exercise was conducted at the two referral hospitals, Nixon and Kailahun. The reports showed that more than 70% of the patients were satisfied with the services of the hospital. 14 Chiefdom PM&E Team involving 200 members -VHCs, mammy Queens, KWIGN and DBOCwere established and members are aware of their roles and responsibilities in the implementation of the project.

15 The first Four Monthly Strategic Meeting of health actors agreed to (i) publish District Health Directory to include description of actors, chiefdoms and communities of operations and (ii) Kailahun Health Bulletin to highlight successes and best practices in the delivery of health programs. A 30 minute DVD produced and used to educate and mobilize pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and under-five years access the Free Health care policy ( how many people have participated) 6. Enhanced Interaction between state and non state actors Summary of goal and objectives - To empower women of Kailahun to exercise the right to participate in governance - Strengthen the capacity of the KWIGN so serve as platform to champion women s participation in governance and politics 6.1 Key Activities The project preparatory activities were five zonal meetings, development of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Orientations of stakeholders institutions of their roles and responsibilities, formation of the project steering committee, introductory meeting with District Election Commission to conduct training on voting and registration and drafting of the Kailahun Women Manifesto for the 2012 general elections. 6.2 Key Achievements Mobilization of the members hip of KWIGN to participate in the implementation of the project was completed. Thirty one executives and four hundred network members sensitized on their roles and responsibilities in the implementation and benefits of the project to them. The stakeholder institutions KWING, District Youth Council and traditional authority jointly established a 21 members project steering committee to provide strategic direction and guidance during the implementation of the project. Election 2012: Kailahun Women Manifesto disseminated to the KWIGN executives for review. District Election Commission completes training plan to train women and

16 youth leaders as well as representatives of traditional authorities on the biometric registration, eligibility criteria for registration and election timetable. 7.0 Management and Financial Situation 7.1 The management structure was revised. A National Executive Council to on advise policy direction has been established and it met twice. During to review management practices and programming activities. A senior management team (SMT) comprising of the Project officers, Financial Administrative Officer and Country Program Office has been formed. The SMT meets to review programming activities and plan for the next quarter. Total number of staff are: Finance and administration Programs Technical Advisors 2 Staff profile CEO- M.Phil, Development Studies, CTA- PhD, Education TA-Ph,D CPO- BA(Hons) Social Worker