Title: AdvocAid welcomes new Executive Director and Legal Officer
Year: 2017
AdvocAid is proud to welcome two new staff members to its team in Sierra Leone. Daniel Eyre joins the organisation today as Interim Executive Director and Cheryl Sembie started in August as Legal Officer.
Simitie Lavaly, AdvocAid’s current Executive Director, is leaving after 6 years of working with the organisation.
“I am sad to leave AdvocAid after such a long time, but am happy I am leaving the organisation in safe hands. It has been a privilege to serve as Executive Director and I am proud of all the organisation has achieved under my leadership. I will continue to support AdvocAid and its vision for a more just society for women and girls,” she said.
Daniel Eyre has a wealth of experience working in human rights, having previously worked at the Special Court for Sierra Leone and Amnesty International.
“AdvocAid changes the lives of women and girls in conflict with the law every day. I hope to build on the excellent work done by AdvocAid’s innovative and dedicated team. I believe that men can and must campaign for women’s rights and gender equality and look forward to doing this during my time at AdvocAid,” Daniel said.
Cheryl Sembie is an experienced barrister, having worked at the Law Reform Commission and Sierra Leone Legal Aid Board.
“Joining AdvocAid fulfils my ambition to further serve girls and women in my country. As Legal Officer I look forward to strengthening AdvocAid’s legal aid and police accountability work,” she said.
Sabrina Mahtani, one of AdvocAid’s Board members said:
“We are grateful to Simitie for all she has contributed to AdvocAid and wish her all the best. Both Daniel and Cheryl have a wealth of experience in human rights work in Sierra Leone and will enrich and enhance AdvocAid’s work. We are thrilled they are joining us.”
AdvocAid will continue its recruitment process to find a dynamic female leader to head the organisation during this challenging and crucial time of diminished funding for the justice sector and legal aid organisations. The organisation continues to call on donors and corporate partners to invest in legal aid and law reform, as well as ensuring the sustainability of legal aid organisations.
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AdvocAid works with vulnerable girls and women caught up in Sierra Leone’s legal system. Founded in 2006, it is the only organisation in Sierra Leone providing a holistic service including free legal representation, education, welfare and rehabilitation support to women and girls in conflict with the law. AdvocAid works in eight towns across Sierra Leone to ensure women and their children have access to justice, are educated on their legal rights and offered rehabilitation support upon release.
For further information, please contact: Daniel Eyre, via email to executive.director@advocaidsl.org