More About CESMYCO

BACKGROUND
Centre for Safe Motherhood, Youth and Child Organization (CESMYCO) is an indigenous local Non-Governmental organization established in 1999 by a well meaning Sierra Leonean under the dynamic leadership of Mrs. Laurel E.A. Bangura – Founder and Executive Director.  CESMYCO serves as the National Committee for the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (IAC-CIAF). 

CESMYCO serves as an advocate and catalyst for change aimed at improving the status of women, children and youth.  Through a participatory approach, CESMYCO works to increase public awareness, implement community-based initiatives for health care and education, and advocate for stronger laws and policies supporting gender equality, development, and the empowerment of women and girls. 
CESMYCO is legally registered with the Government of Sierra Leone through the line Ministries. CESMYCO is also a registered member of the Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organization (SLANGO).

MISSION STATEMENT
CESMYCO/IACSL is a Non-Governmental Organization that seeks to intensify the campaign to sensitize and create awareness on human rights and the hazards of harmful traditional practices.  Adopting a culturally sensitive approach, CESMYCO works to empower women, children and youth in their pursuit of a better livelihood and address political, economic, social, and health-related challenges that hinder sustainable development.

OBJECTIVES
1.  To engage local communities about the harmful effects of practices such as female genital mutilation, early marriage, teenage pregnancy, male preference, and exclusion of women from political and civil leadership;
2.  To raise awareness of reproductive health issues, including HIV/AIDS, that create barriers for women's development both locally and nationally;
3.  To ensure gender equality and promote women's and children's rights;
4.  To advocate at the local and national level for stronger laws and support mechanisms to prevent gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, early marriage, and male-child preference;
5.  To support the political and economic empowerment of women and children, recognizing the effects this will have on the realization of their rights and equality.

SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES
1.  School Outreach 
-  Conducts workshops within secondary schools to sensitize students on their rights and responsibilities
-  Supports the development of school health clubs and organizations addressing these challenges
-  Educates students on the effects of traditional practices and the legal framework of Sierra Leone
-  Encourages ongoing inter-generational dialogue to identify new opportunities for change
2.  Community Outreach
-  Works closely with key stakeholders, including police, ministry officials, community leaders, and civil society, to coordinate programmes to support women and children
-  Provides education on the effects of traditional practices and the legal framework of Sierra Leone, including human rights standards
-  Encourages community-based solutions to address the root causes of gender inequality, including poor health, education, and lack of empowerment
-  Provides support for communities seeking to abandon harmful practices, such as FGM, including plans for alternative rites and alternative economic opportunities
3.  Legal Advocacy
-  Seeks the creation and enforcement of national laws protecting the rights of women and children
-  Conducts workshops to address the gaps in existing laws, such as the Gender Acts and the Child Rights Act
-  Engages communities in the creation of community by-laws to address harmful practices

COMPOSITION
CESMYCO is composed of women's groups, youth and community members, Religious and community leaders in rural Sierra Leone.

CESMYCO has an Advisory Board; a Management Team of professional staff in various disciplines with basic facilities to aid its operations.

OPERATIONAL AREAS
Kambia District - Northern Province
Freetown - Western Rural and Urban Districts
Moyamba District - Southern Province

COLLABORATING BODIES
National HIV/AIDS Secretariat
World Vision
UNDP Collaborative Forum
Direct Democracy Association
Men's Association for Gender Equality (MAGE)

CONTACT INFORMATIONCESMYCO
3/DUNDAS STREET
FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE.
TEL: +230-30-206-300/0+232-77-34-74-95
E-MAIL – laurelday2000@yahoo.com or banguralaurel@yahoo.co.uk

CESMYCO operates within Sierra Leone, conducting extensive activities with limited resources.  Support comes primarily from international donors and grants.  Individuals wishing to contribute to our work are encouraged to contact CESMYCO directly.