In a powerful call for gender inclusion, Madam Hannah Jusu-Lavalie, Coordinator of Community Banks at Apex Bank Sierra Leone Limited, boldly stated that “any bank without a woman is an empty bank.” Her remark was made during the opening of a Training of Trainers (ToT) session held at John International Academy Hall in Bo.
The training, hosted by the Rural Finance and Community Improvement Programme Phase II (RFCIP II) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), was supported by the Government of Sierra Leone and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Apex Bank’s Bold Commitment to Gender Equity
Speaking to participants from across the Southern Region, Madam Jusu-Lavalie reaffirmed Apex Bank’s unwavering commitment to gender equity and financial inclusion. She highlighted recent milestones:
Over 70% of newly recruited Apex Bank staff are qualified women, thanks to a focused gender mainstreaming policy.
Apex enforces a rule ensuring at least one-third of board members in all Rural Financial Institutions (RFIs) are women.
“Women are not just participants in finance; they are the backbone of sustainable community banking,” she said.
Gender Inclusion at the Heart of RFCIP II
Patrick Komba, Gender Officer for RFCIP II, emphasized that gender inclusion isn’t just about fairness it’s critical for transforming rural livelihoods. He outlined how tools like the Gender Action Learning System (GALS), along with concepts like Gender Justice and Gender-Inclusive Planning, are improving women’s access to finance and decision-making in rural communities.
“By removing structural barriers and engaging men and women equally, we help communities build resilience, grow incomes, and reduce inequality,” Komba noted.
NPCU Reinforces Its Commitment
George Nyambe Williams, speaking on behalf of the National Programme Coordination Unit (NPCU), extended greetings from Programme Coordinator Mr. Mohamed Tejan Kella, who was attending a separate engagement focused on expanding funding for RFIs.
Williams reaffirmed NPCU’s ongoing dedication to mainstreaming gender equity, citing the programme’s international recognition including IFAD’s Gender Award for West and Central Africa, recently awarded to RFCIP II.
MAFS Praises RFCIP II’s Empowerment Approach
Representing the Ministry at district level, the Acting District Agriculture Officer and M&E Officer for Bo District applauded RFCIP II for its commitment to inclusive rural development. He called on participants to take the training seriously, emphasizing their role as change agents who will cascade knowledge back to their communities.
“This training is not just theory it’s an opportunity to multiply impact through shared learning,” he said.
Why GALS Matters: Changing Lives with Drawings and Dialogue
The training adopts the Gender Action Learning System (GALS), a participatory and visual methodology that promotes gender equality, economic empowerment, and social inclusion. Through drawing-based exercises, participants learn to map out challenges, set goals, and identify collaborative solutions in their homes, businesses, and communities.
Participants in the training include staff and board members from RFCIP II-supported Community Banks (CBs) and Financial Services Associations (FSAs), as well as Apex Bank personnel from across Southern Sierra Leone.
