09/01/2004

Sierra Leone has supported efforts to prepare the refugees for the future. UNHCR, the World Food Program and bilateral donors like the US and European Union, have focused leadership and skills training efforts to prevent sexual and gender based violence on refugee women. Many of the refugee women are single heads of households, survivors of multiple dislocations and rebel attacks. The refugee tie dyers pictured are proud of their new skills, their increased ability to care for their families, and their new understanding of the rights of women and their roles and responsibilities in their homes and communities.