AdvocAid has successfully concluded a day-long dialogue engagement with microfinance institutions in Kenema, focusing on the decriminalization and declassification of petty offenses in Sierra Leone. This event was facilitated by AdvocAid in partnership with the Centre for Accountability and the Rule of Law (CARL) as part of an OSIWA-funded project aimed at addressing these critical issues.
During the engagement, participants discussed how petty offenses, including traffic violations, loitering, and debt-related issues, are often used discriminatorily to target marginalized groups, such as professional drivers, commercial sex workers, and market women/petty traders.
AdvocAid is a feminist organization dedicated to providing access to justice, education, and empowerment for women and girls in contact with the law. The event brought together managers and representatives from various microfinance institutions, government stakeholders—including a councillor from the Kenema City Council, representatives from the Sierra Leone Police and the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs—and market women and business owners who rely on loans from these institutions.
In her statement, Madam Jalahan Amara Jakima, Programs Officer for the South-East Region, emphasized the importance of engaging microfinance institutions to address the alarming rate at which women are arrested, detained, and sentenced for fraudulent conversion and related offenses. She noted that many of these cases do not stem from fraudulent intent.
“By engaging microfinance institutions in dialogue, we can better understand the connection between the legal framework governing these institutions and the increasing number of women being arrested for fraudulent conversion,” she stated.
Various market women shared their experiences regarding how they are treated by loan officers. Some reported that many loan officers are hostile, which contributes to their distress. Isata Kallon, a businesswoman at the fisheries market in Kenema City, recounted an incident involving a loan officer who acted aggressively.
“I was just a guarantor for someone who took a loan from the microfinance institution. When the loan officer came to collect, he forcefully entered the room and demanded payment. He even slapped the woman, prompting a negative response from her children. I intervened, but he was still hostile and didn’t allow me to explain my side,” she shared.
Emma Mansaray explained that despite completing her loan payments, she has been unable to retrieve her savings from the microfinance institution. “I have visited them multiple times to request my savings, which we initially agreed upon, but they keep turning me down. I am pleading for assistance in reaching them, as I no longer want their money,” she added.
In response to the concerns raised, Soriba Bangura, manager of ECO Bank in Kenema, acknowledged the various policies among different microfinance institutions but stressed the importance of maintaining respect for customers. “We have listened to the testimonies from the market women, and I’m glad this platform allows them to express their challenges,” he stated. He condemned the use of violent methods by loan officers and reiterated that visits to customers should occur only during appropriate hours—between 8 AM and 6 PM. He also encouraged market women to read and understand all documents before signing loan agreements.
The dialogue concluded with all parties unanimously agreeing on recommendations and action points for continuous advocacy and collaboration among microfinance institutions, government bodies, and related stakeholders in the district.