U.S. Embassy supports democracy and human rights projects

On June 1, United States Ambassador Michael S. Owen signed grant agreements totaling USD 60,000 with five Sierra Leonean human rights and media organizations.  These grants will support the following activities:

AdvocAid’s programs to assist women and girls who are having difficulty with access to justice and experiencing problems with the law;

A public education forum on Radio Kolenten to disseminate information about women’s-rights legislation;

Anti-violence programs directed at youth and organized by YAWN-SL (Youth Arise, All Political Parties Youth Association APPYA, Wheel Sierra Leone and National Youth Coalition);

Electoral education broadcasts on Radio Gbafth in support of free, fair, and credible elections;

The Media Foundation’s project to expand the role of independent media in the democratic election process.

Ambassador Owen congratulated the grantees and noted the important role of community-based organizations and the media in promoting democracy and respect for human rights.

These initiatives are financed through the Democracy and Human Rights Fund (DHRF) of the Office of the Director of U.S. Foreign Assistance, which provides targeted assistance to organizations working to advance the causes of democracy and human rights.