Advancing Women’s Rights in Kono District
The Concerned Women Kono Five-Year Strategic Plan (2026–2030) outlines our priorities across education, health, economic empowerment, and advocacy.
Rooted in the lived experiences of women and girls, Concerned Women Kono works hand-in-hand with communities, government institutions, and development partners to create lasting impact in Sierra Leone.
From the Field: Waidu Village, Gbense Chiefdom, Kono District
The Concerned Women Kono District sub-group at Waidu Village recently completed their last konso (pigeon peas) planting for the 2023–2024 farming season. This piece of land (10 hectares) was cultivated with a tractor under the sponsorship of Concerned Women Kono District. The jubilant mood at the farm site marked their second year of support provided by CWKD.
On behalf of the management and staff of Concerned Women Kono District, we extend our gratitude to the Waidu Group, the local authorities, and the CEO Madam Tiwa Kaifala Kaimachiande for providing the support and the enabling environment for women of Kono District and Sierra Leone to be economically and politically empowered.
Jespa S. Komba, Administrative Manager, Concerned Women Kono District
The Issues We Address
Concerned Women Kono has become a trusted voice for women in Kono District, championing four interconnected issue areas that shape the lives of women and girls across the region.
Education for Girls
Concerned Women Kono has prioritized education as a cornerstone of empowerment. The organization has provided scholarships and mentorship programs to support girls’ access to primary and secondary education, and has advocated against early marriage and cultural practices that hinder girls’ education. Community sensitization campaigns highlight the importance of keeping girls in school.
Maternal and Reproductive Health
Health interventions have focused on improving maternal and reproductive health outcomes. CWKD has conducted awareness campaigns on maternal health, family planning, and reproductive rights, partnered with health facilities to provide training for women on safe motherhood practices, and led community education initiatives on HIV/AIDS, malaria prevention, and other public health issues.
Economic Empowerment
Concerned Women Kono has worked to reduce economic marginalization by equipping women with skills and resources. The organization has delivered vocational training in tailoring, agriculture, and small-scale trade; established microfinance opportunities and savings groups to support women entrepreneurs; and facilitated market access for women-led businesses, strengthening household income and community resilience.
Advocacy and Rights
Advocacy remains central to the organization’s mission. CWKD has led campaigns against gender-based violence, raising awareness and supporting survivors; lobbied for women’s inclusion in local governance structures, ensuring representation in decision-making forums; and engaged with policymakers to influence district-level development planning with a gender-sensitive lens.
Economic Empowerment in Action: Cooperative Agriculture
The Waidu women’s cooperative is a living example of economic empowerment in practice. With CWKD’s support, women in Gbense Chiefdom have cultivated 10 hectares of farmland using tractor technology, with their most recent konso planting marking a tangible milestone.
The organization has established microfinance opportunities and savings groups to support women entrepreneurs, and has facilitated market access for women-led businesses, strengthening household income and community resilience. Cooperative members also pursue tailoring of school uniforms and traditional attire, and crafts such as beads and baskets.
Through this work, CWKD demonstrates how economic empowerment looks on the ground: real women, real land, real livelihoods built through sustained partnership and community trust.
Thank you to the Waidu Group, the local authorities, and the CEO Madam Tiwa Kaifala Kaimachiande for providing the support and the enabling environment for women of Kono District and Sierra Leone to be economically and politically empowered.
– Jespa S. Komba, Administrative Manager, Concerned Women Kono District
Our Four Strategic Dimensions
The Concerned Women Kono Five-Year Strategic Plan (2026–2030) covers four key dimensions connecting grassroots mobilization to systemic, lasting impact.
Organizational Development
Strengthening governance, leadership, and institutional capacity to ensure CWKD remains a trusted, effective organization.
Programmatic Interventions
Expanding initiatives in education, health, livelihoods, and advocacy to reach more women and girls across Kono District.
Advocacy Initiatives
Promoting women’s rights, influencing policy, and amplifying community voices at district, national, and international levels.
Sustainability Strategies
Ensuring financial resilience, resource mobilization, and long-term impact so women and communities benefit for generations.
Intended Impact
By focusing on women and girls, the plan aims to:
- Improve livelihoods through skills training, entrepreneurship, and access to economic opportunities.
- Enhance access to quality education and healthcare, particularly for marginalized groups.
- Reduce gender-based violence and strengthen protection mechanisms.
- Promote leadership opportunities for women in community governance and decision-making.
- Build resilient communities where women’s voices shape development priorities.
CWKD’s work is framed under SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, Strong Institutions), positioning the organization as a local implementer of global goals.
Support the Work
Stand with Women in Kono District
CWKD’s goal is to secure a stable and diversified financial base, build enduring donor relationships, and strengthen its institutional reputation as a leading women’s rights NGO in Sierra Leone. Your support helps scale programs and advocacy efforts that create greater impact for women and communities across the country.