As part of The Carter Center Inform Women, Transform Lives campaign, aimed at raising awareness about women’s right to information and increasing women’s access to municipal and social services, Hearts & Minds Consulting, in collaboration with the Freetown City Council (FCC), convened a stakeholder meeting on 18th October 2025 at Jalloh Terrace.

The meeting provided a platform to inform women about FCC’s waste management services and to discuss practical strategies for improving waste collection, disposal, and overall community sanitation. The meeting brought together community leaders, market women, youth representatives, service providers, and councillor Zainab Conteh.

Key issues discussed included: Irregular waste collection schedules; the need for designated waste collection points and continuous public education on proper waste disposal. Community leaders pledged to lead awareness-raising on proper waste management, reaffirming a shared commitment to build a cleaner, healthier Jalloh Terrace and a cleaner Freetown!

The Inform Women, Transform Lives campaign seeks to expand women’s access to vital public information, with a special focus on gender-responsive waste management services. At the heart of the initiative is the #8244 helpline a dedicated channel that connects women directly to essential information and municipal services.

Key components of the campaign include: Community-based public art, such as murals, to raise awareness; Partnership with a civil society organization to extend women’s access to services; and; A gender-responsive media and communications campaign to ensure women receive timely, actionable information that improves daily life.