AdvocAid’s Executive Director, Legal Officer and Volunteer Lawyer spent several days in Bo and Kenema to monitor and support the work of our paralegal in the Easter region.

Prisoners at Kenema Female Prison (literacy classes conducted by AdvocAid's partner, EducAid)

The visit included prison monitoring, distributing key welfare items to women and their children in Bo and Kenema prison as well as legal support and supervision of our paralegal. We also conducted meetings with several key stakeholders such as the police, courts and NGOs in order to strengthen relationships and partner networks.

Simitie Lavaly and Catherine Martyn, AdvocAid Associate. Ms Martyn is the longest serving woman at the Sierra Leone Bar at present.

The visit included two legal education radio programmes, with live call in sessions, conducted by Simitie Lavaly (Legal Officer) on Eastern Radio and SLBC Eastern. Several people called in and the discussions were very lively. Simitie covered issues such as rights when you are arrested, accessing bail and women in prison for debt.

Radio Interview, SLBC Eastern

The visit sparked the interest of the Premier News journalist who covered our visit. Click here to read more.

Lilian Musa (Kenema Paralegal - maternity cover) interviewing a police officer

Photos taken by Catherine Seldon (Volunteer Lawyer)

Catherine Seldon with baby Rajan, our Kenema paralegal's little son

Project supported by a grant from Open Society Foundations