The Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Umaru Napoleon Koroma
on Saturday 7 November 2026, joined hundreds of walkers in Freetown for the Mental Health and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Awareness Walk, organised by the Centre for Gender and Social Justice, where he was invited as Guest of Honour.
The walk began at 7:00 AM sharp from Congo Cross Roundabout and ended at Kallon Car Park in Aberdeen. Participants, many dressed in different colors of Tshirts carrying key messages of speaking up, breaking the silence and the need to seek help and as we carrying banners, marched under the call “Every Step Speaks: End the Silence. End the Violence.”
Minister Napoleon Koroma, who has consistently supported mental health events and spoken out for an end to gender-based violence, walked alongside participants in solidarity with the cause. His presence, organisers noted, sent a strong message that these issues deserve the attention of leaders at every level of government.
The walk is an annual event. Last year’s edition, held on 1st November 2025, carried the theme of breaking the silence and promoting mental well-being while ending gender-based violence and drug abuse. This year’s walk continued that message, encouraging open conversations about mental health and urging survivors of violence to speak out and seek support.
Participants described the atmosphere as energetic and hopeful, with people of all ages walking together to show that mental health and the safety of women, girls and families are shared responsibilities. Testimonies from survivors were shared and the event made a meaningful impact.
As the walk came to an end at Kallon Car Park, organisers thanked the Minister and all participants for lending their voices and their steps to the cause, and called on communities to keep the conversation going well beyond the day.
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