By George M.O. Williams
Freetown, Sierra Leone — September 9, 2025: The Kids Advocacy Network (KAN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Universal Access Development Fund (UADF) to support its upcoming Girls Conference, scheduled for October 10–14, 2025, at the Sierra Leone Parliament. The agreement, signed on Tuesday, will see UADF provide mobile phones to enhance the reporting of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) across the country.
The conference, held in commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child, will bring together girls from all districts of Sierra Leone. At least one participant per district will receive a mobile phone to facilitate real-time reporting of SGBV cases and promote digital advocacy.
The high-profile event will be held under the patronage of the Former Vice President of Liberia, the First Lady of Sierra Leone, and Botswana’s youngest Youth Minister. It is supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UADF, and other partners.
KAN Executive Director Edmond B. Fornah emphasized the importance of equipping girls with tools to amplify their voices. “This initiative ensures that girls are empowered with the knowledge and resources to identify and report SGBV cases within their communities,” he said. He added that digital platforms offer a powerful medium for women and girls to highlight issues affecting them.
Fornah also announced that KAN will host the African Youth Summit in November at the Bintumani Conference Center, focusing on digitization and media as tools for advocacy and empowerment.
Speaking on behalf of UADF, Abubakarr Sesay reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to expanding ICT access in underserved communities. “We want to bridge the gap between areas with limited mobile network connectivity and those with stronger infrastructure,” he said, noting that the MoU would empower girls while fostering impactful partnerships.
KAN Chairman Dr. Ezikel Duramany-Lakkoh described the collaboration as a strategic alignment with international organizations. “This partnership creates opportunities for young leaders to showcase their potential and connects Sierra Leonean society to global advocacy efforts,” he said.
The Girls Conference and the broader initiatives by KAN and UADF mark a significant step toward empowering youth, promoting gender equity, and leveraging technology for social change in Sierra Leone.