Media Matters For Women UK

Media Matters for Women (MMW) envisions a world where rural woman and girls are in control of their rights and possess the tools to make informed decisions about their own well-being.

Inform.  Empower.  Change.

Without access to reliable and trusted sources of news and information on rights, health, and available services, rural women and girls in Sierra Leone are faced with challenges that prevent them from taking action to protect themselves, challenge injustices and access protections and remedies under the law. 

MMW has built a rural communications network with over 50,000 listeners per month utilising podcasts in local languages developed by our team of female journalists. By bringing critical news and information directly to rural communities, we are seeing the positive impact that the power of knowledge can bring.  We partner with local civil service organisations and health providers to connect those in need with critical services.

Women and girls are the most frequent victims of domestic violence and human rights violations in Sierra Leone—yet they struggle to bring attention to their plight and lack the knowledge to advocate for themselves.  This problem is particularly acute in rural areas out-of-sight of traditional legal systems where alternative paths to justice are often ruled by cultural norms that subjugate the standing of women.

The topic of menstruation is taboo in rural Sierra Leone, and girls living in poverty lack both the materials and the information to effectively manage their periods. MMW's Period Power Project combines programs on health rights and sexuality education with lessons on how to make reusable menstrual pads from cheap and readily available materials.  Fifteen schools in rural Sierra Leone have adopted the MMW program into their home economics programs.  MMW continues to work with schools to further develop a focus on health rights for girls and to bring dignity to their lives.