Participants Hail SLWC Organisers, Dedicate to Wholesome Development

On Saturday, the 26th of April, 2025, the Sierra Leone Women Conference 2025 held at the

The participants, thrilled at the organisation of the event expressed their gratitude to Annie's Chatroom, the organisers of the

 

 

 

Speaking with Sia Annie, the founder of Annie's Chatroom, she

 

 

See more photos from the event below

 

A Life of Battery: A Story on Domestic Violence

By Aluko Deborah

Gbam! Gbom! Goes the sound of the heavy punches that lands on Amanda’s cheeks. It’s a crushing impact of bony fists against supple cheeks. Stephen is at it again. He flies off the handle at the slightest provocation. She cries in pain at such inhuman treatment being mete to her. Just then, her friend Pia knocks at the door. Stephen opens the door and walks out of the house furiously. ‘What the hell is going on here?’ Pia yells at him.

Amanda had been married to Stephen for the past eight years and she had never experienced some peace for a split second. She had dated him for two years before marriage but seemed not to have noticed any violent attitude in him. Stephen had changed almost immediately after marriage and Amanda could not forgive herself for falling into this trap. She had attended many marriage seminars and had invited several marriage counsellors all to no avail. She had even tried to impress him, and dote on him, to love him more and shower him with surprises but there’s absolutely nothing she does that goes down well with this young man. He flares up for intangible reasons. It’s either he didn’t fall in love with her food or he isn’t pleased with her outfits or she didn’t take her bath before bed or she’s adding more weight. He compares her with other women and Amanda starts suspecting he’s cheating on her and been unfaithful to his matrimonial vows. Many times, he hits Amanda whenever she tries to oppose his accusations. His beatings have become so severe that she lost the third pregnancy after several years of childlessness.

Stephen turns back slowly and flashes at Pia a look of disdain coupled with a rush of anger and hate. He hisses and walks away arrogantly because extreme anger usually leaves him dumb. Pia rushes at Amanda and grasps her up. She asks her what went wrong this time. Amanda pours out more in tears than in words. ‘My mother in law just left a couple of hours ago, she came to express her concern for our childlessness and Stephen began to accuse me as the cause of it, he addressed me on the level of  promiscuity and infidelity. But when I tried to reveal the truth of his brutality to me, he picked on me and vowed to deal with me like he just did.’ Pia seems not to believe her ears. So, this is what Amanda had been going through all these years but each time Pia had tried to ask why she had a swollen face or an injury, Amanda will just cook a smart lie and refuse to open up. ‘A good wife should always keep her family secret’ she always told herself. If not that Pia caught this very act and at the right time, Amanda will probably have to listen to another lie. She draws Amanda into a warm embrace to subside her tears. Afterwards, she dashes into the kitchen and prepares a cup of cold tea for Amanda to calm her nerves.

As Amanda sips her tea, Pia begins to advice Amanda. ‘Sweetheart, a woman can endure everything for the sake of love or for the sake of her children as the case may be but she must not endure one thing called violence! And that’s the physical one because it’s the most common, for a time is coming that such husband who is indeed an animal in human skin might end up taking your life. As a wise woman who values her life, I think you should give your man a little break. Amanda quickly interrupts Pia. ‘I’m seriously firing relentless prayers about my situation’ she says. Pia tells her that it’s okay to involve religion but she will also need to make good use of the wisdom endowed her and that of a caring friend too as in the midst of good counselors, safety is assured. She also shares with her friend a similar experience she also had with her husband some years back. She had received several beatings and had escaped for her dear life, relocating to a different neighborhood of which her husband knew nothing about. Several weeks passed and it had dawned on him that Amanda was gone for good, he came back to his senses and realized his mistake. Pia had informed only her mother of her where about since her once trusted husband had broken his marriage. ‘He had to go and prostrate for my mum, begging her profusely in tears to know where I hid before mum eventually settled everything for us and we came back together with a stronger bound of love.

Amanda thanks her friend profusely for her advice but she isn’t so much convinced yet, ‘I’ve never imagined breaking away from my husband because I shall not put asunder what God has joined together, I still love my dear husband and I don’t want to increase the trouble in our home’ she ponders. Pia offers to assist with dinner preparations and they proceed to the kitchen. Pia handles the Amala while Amanda prepares the ewedu stew. They set the table as Stephen walks in. Pia whispers to her friend to speak nicely to him, she’s researching something here. ‘Welcome baby your food is ready’ she says tears welling up in her eyes. She presses hard to suppress them. Stephen ignores her without saying a word. Pia tells Amanda to calm down as she breaks down into fresh tears. Pia offers to take her out for a walk but Amanda declines as that might even fuel more trouble for her. Concluding that her presence might be embarrassing Stephen, Pia declares her intention to leave and encourages Amanda to inform the police or call her if she’s been maltreated again. ‘Every woman has the right to claim her marital rights, she points out and leaves as Amanda sees her off.

A week later, Amanda has become so weak and unhealthy due to more incessant maltreatment. She had failed to inform neither the Pia nor the police and moving out wasn’t even one of her options. For her, a blissful marriage had always been her dream and she could keep trying to make this work. Stephen had banned her from attending marriage seminars because he felt it’ll make her much more stubborn and rude to him. Nevertheless, a scheduled meeting with a counselor isn’t a bad idea for Amanda and she won’t hesitate to go this evening. Stephen isn’t used to early dinners, so she will be able to rush back before 7:30 (thirty minutes past the hour of seven). With this in mind, she dresses up and rushes to see her marriage counsellor.

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Amanda returns home at exactly fifteen minutes past the hours of seven and dinner must be ready in less than forty five minutes. Unfortunately, Stephen’s at his bad mood again. She’s now almost believing the fact that Stephen might have some psychiatric issues after all. He accuses Amanda of staying out late and depriving him of food and sex, as she tries to calm him down and assure him of settling him in no time, he carries a dinning chair and flings it at her. Amanda slumps and goes limp, blood splashes everywhere. Scared and terrified, Stephen struggles to wake her up but all to no avail, her breathing had stopped as lay practically dead in cold blood. Stephen must make his escape very fast, so he quickly packs his bag and exits the house as he ignores the questions and queries of neighbors. Some concerned people quickly get into the house to find out from his wife, his reason for deserting her but they meet the shock of their lives. They quickly alert the police to get Stephen arrested and they make sure that the security lock down the environs to keep Stephen trapped in. Another group of people go after Tony, beat him mercilessly and tie him up as they await the arrival of the police.

Pia drives into the neighborhood in a bid to inform Amanda of a flat she had gotten for her. Her intention’s to take Amanda along with her to buy things to furnish the house with and to link her up with an online psychologist and blogger to help her flourish emotionally. She parks her car under a mango tree, amazed at the crowd at Amanda’s house. Pia asks people around for what the problem is, some refuse to tell her but she hears someone around mention the fact that Amanda is dead. She pushes her way into the living room and screams uncontrollably. There laying before her feet is the tragic end of somebody’s wife.

Interview: Alarming Rate of Rape In The Society

Rape In The Society

Do you know that apart from "Corruption", Rape has also gotten to the danger zone  as a menace in many Countries of the world!

Daily News Correspondent was privileged to meet and sample opinions of some people on the issue of rape rocking the Society.

What is rape?

In a simple definition, Rape means to force sexual intercourse or any other sexual activities on someone.

Causes of Rape

Some of the Identified causes of Rape include, but not limited to:

1. High emotional Tension

The libido in most humans cannot be overemphasized, some Men/Women have high sexual urge which in most cases cannot be over controlled and at that same point passing through seduction from opposite sex. This can make him or her briefly reach a conclusion that forcing the opposite sex will make him/her satisfied.

2. Revenge

Cheat breakups (Revenge): Some guys may think setting up a lady and raping her will let her realised how hurtful he experienced when she left him for another richer Guy/Men

3. Inability to understand the will and the word of God.

According to Mr. Olayinka, he opines, saying "..all I can say about the issue you raised is that we should all pray that bad spirit shouldn't control our soul. All this crimes which people are committing are not just from their will. Some are under a spell, some is a kind of madness which can't be properly define."               

A Psychologist, Dr. Ibukunnle explained Rape as "a forceful sexual intercourse without the consent of other party involved." To the Dr, he called It an Assault,  which may be caused by many factors:

The Other causes of Rape:

i. Overexposure to nudity,

ii. Arrogance  on the part of Ladies,

III.  Absence of home training,

iv.  Lack of fear of God.

Read Also: Debt Alert: Nigeria Ranks 4th In World Bank Debtor's List

Rape is a big act and crime against humanity, because victims of rapists will hardly forget it. 

According to Dr. Ibukunnle, solution to curb rape act should be "Capital Punishment/Life Imprisonment."

What are the Justice for Rape Victims:

How well and fast does a rape victim gets Justice, especially in Nigeria and some African countries. Report indicates that it takes time for rape case to get settled in Nigerian court. 

According to the Nigerian legal system on rape, the rape victim must prove to the court the penetration before been cross-examined by the Court for justice to be served. 

To prove a rape case is becoming deficult, even than the rape act. At times, it might even be difficult to pinpoint who is guilty or not due to the technicality of the case in most cases.

"Rape a behaviour that needs to be totally eradicated. This has been relating itself in this our dear Country. where our ladies are no more secured, where no capital punishment attached to it. I think Nigeria needs to wake up and let's reason together as a Country that will flourish; the lives of everybody should not be endanger due to rape," Comrade Stephen opined.

Still on the rape and the breakdown, a Pharmacist and psychologist, Dr. Emeka opined thus "Rape is just very bad, am not a good judge of character but psychological assessment is required then in court. Also, there jail term should be very long, giving capital punishment shouldn't be for everything only in cases of murder or terrorism or where raping cases is in an alarming rate."

Opnions on some common causes of rape, Dr. Emeka said  "On random ones, some ladies are found of showing there private parts to lure some men into such act.  Yes! You are being  addressed the way your dressed.

"For you putting on Skippy, tight skirt and short trousers, what signal or message do you think it is sending?

"Aside that, some guys, do rape ladies for ritual reasons."

While highlighting the effects and aftermath of rape, he noted:

"The effects and aftermath of rape can include both physical trauma and psychological trauma.

"However, physical force is not necessarily used in rape, and physical injuries are not always a consequence. Deaths associated with rape are known to occur, though the prevalence of fatalities varies considerably across the world."

"For  rape victims, the more common consequences of sexual violence are those related to reproductive health, mental health, and social wellbeing."

The Effect of Rape in the Society

1. Physical  impact: This comes with deformation of the victim and the bad feelings.

2. Gynecologic: Gynecology has to do with the study of Medical Problems of Women, especially the reproductive system, it's another branch of Medicine. Hence, the common Gynecologic consequences experienced by rape survivors include- Vaginal or anal bleeding, infection and Hypoactive sexual desire disorder

3. Vaginitis or vaginal inflammation

4. Dyspareunia: It means painful sexual intercourse. 

5. Vaginismus: This means a condition affecting a woman's ability to engage in any form of vaginal penetration.

6. Chronic pelvic pain: Victim of rape could experience pains in the bones all over their Body, which could cause discomfort.

7. Urinary tract infections: Through rape, the victim is opened to infectious diseases in the (Penis) for Male and (Virgina) for female. This urinary tract infection makes the victim feel pains while urinating.

8. Pregnancy: This is the most known one, the victim, especially with unprotected sex is 99% exposed to getting pregnant.

9. HIV/AIDS: Acronym for human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), the virus comes through contact with blood, especially from intercourse. Hence, rape victims are prone to this virus and the Virus drains blood and weaken the cells in the body; leaving the victim to different diseases and untimely death.

The Solutions to Rape:

1. Sex Education: 

 

In a quest to profer solutions, Parents are advised to engage in "sex education" to their children. ladies should be modest in their dressings and guys should be more careful.

2.  Prayer:

Dr. Emeka added that "We should be more prayerful because Rape is a spirit. This Country needs to be baptized;  people are just too " desperate.

3. Awareness and publicity from Government, NGOs and Civil Society Organizations:

It is believed that if Government, Parents, NGOs and Individual should focus attention more on curbing rape, by increasing the awareness and dangers in rape, the story could change to reduce the menace of rape around the world. 

Tsion Academy Opens Second School Campus, Rededicates to Quality Education

 

Driven by a continued passion for education and a desire to make a positive impact on the lives of young people, Tsion Academy has launched its second free schooling facility in Ile-Ife, Nigeria This passion has been the driving force behind Tsion Academy's growth and success, and has led the team to successfully manage the first school facility over the last one year.  

According to Abayomi Adeola Della, founder of Tsion Academy, the launch of the new facility is a testament of the fact that a system of free quality education is possible, and that it indeed takes a village to raise a child. 

Under Della's visionary leadership, Tsion Academy has established itself as a centre of academic excellence and character development. Also, the institution's commitment to nurturing the whole child - intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, and physically, has earned it a reputation in the Ile-Ife Community, as a trusted partner in education.

The new free school facility in Ile-Ife opened its doors to students on Monday, 28th April, 2025. Excited about the possibilities that the new school presents, Abayomi Adeola Della and the Tsion Academy team looks forward to a life of continuous excellence and integrity based service to the students and the Ile-Ife community at large.

While appreciating the Big Brothers, Sisters, sponsors, financial partners and volunteers who have supported Tsion Academy thus far, Della also reiterated the need for continuous sponsorship and partnership  for Tsion Academy. She enjoined future partners and sponsors to reach out via the academy’s website and social media profiles accordingly. Instagram bio @tsionacademy

Annie’s Chatroom to Host Sierra Leone Women Summit

Annie's Chatroom, a social initiative led by Annie is set to host the 2025 edition of the Sierra Leone Women Summit

The event which is scheduled for April, 2025 is targeted at women and other individuals who are passionate about driving true change in the Sierra Leon Women Ecosystem. 

 

According to Annie, Founder of Annies's Chatroom, the Sierra Leone Women Summit is a gathering that seeks to bring women together from all sectors of the society and provide a platform for open discussions where we can collectively address the challenges women face and explore potential solutions. 

 

While speaking to the NELOC Media News Correspondent, Annie emphasised the fact that the Summit is open to everyone whether you are a trader, hairdresser, homemaker, parliamentarian engineer, student, banker, civil servant, medical professional, legal practitioner, farmer, seamstress or any other professional. Whosoever you are or may be, your voice is essential.

 

Read: Biography of Odunlade Adekola

Don't miss the opportunity to be a part of this transformative movement. Join us and contribute to shaping a better future for women in Sierra Leone. Every woman’s voice must be heard.