Gender Unity for Rights and Access
Gender should unite us, not limit us.
GURA Foundation connects people across Sierra Leone to the services and opportunities meant for them, and brings women and men together as partners in each other’s growth.
What our name means
Each word carries part of our purpose
- Gender
- We work with women and men, girls and boys, together rather than apart.
- Unity
- We believe progress is stronger when both genders support each other.
- Rights
- Everyone deserves fair treatment, protection and opportunity, regardless of gender.
- Access
- Rights mean little if people cannot reach the services meant for them.
The challenge
The services exist. The connection is missing.
Sierra Leone has many local and international NGOs offering education, health, protection, livelihood and legal support, yet many people who need these services never benefit from them.
At the same time, rigid ideas about what men and women can or should do still limit potential on both sides. These limits hold back individuals, families and communities, and can create division where cooperation is needed.
Too often, people do not know:
- Which organisations operate in their community
- What those organisations offer
- Who qualifies for support
- How to reach them
The gap is often not a lack of services but a lack of awareness and connection.
What we believe
Imagine how successful we can become when every person gives one hundred percent to the things they are good at, and every contribution is respected.
Not limited by gender
Talent is not decided by gender. People should be free to pursue what they are good at.
Giving our hundred percent
Families and communities go further when everyone brings their full effort to their strengths.
Respecting each contribution
Women and men are partners. We value the role each one plays, and set neither against the other.
What we do
Three mandates, one purpose
- Mandate 01
Increasing access
We bridge the gap between the people who need services and the organisations that provide them.
- Mapping services
- Raising awareness
- Referrals and guidance
- Feedback to providers
- Mandate 02
Promoting gender unity
We promote togetherness between women and men, showing that potential should not be restricted by gender while respecting the value each gender brings.
- Dialogue and togetherness
- Revealing potential
- Mutual respect
- Shared responsibility
- Mandate 03
Empowerment for growth
We help people gain the knowledge, skills and tools they need to grow and take charge of their lives.
- Education support
- Skills and livelihoods
- Rights awareness
- Mentorship
A window to access
Find out who can help, where you live
Our service directory brings together NGOs, government programmes and community services, organised by district and type of support, with who qualifies and how to reach them.
How we work
Five steps we follow in every community
- 01
Listen
Understand the needs of each community before acting.
- 02
Connect
Link people to existing services rather than duplicating them.
- 03
Empower
Build skills and confidence so people can help themselves and others.
- 04
Unite
Involve women and men together in every programme.
- 05
Follow up
Track whether people actually reached the help they needed, and learn from the results.
Work with us
GURA Foundation works alongside NGOs, government agencies, schools, community leaders, faith groups, businesses and donors who share our commitment to unity, rights and access.