COVID-19 hindering street art for gender equality

Affixed Productions NGO  is the result of a passion for using street art as a medium of celebration and promotion of openhearted cultures around the world. For our most recent projects in Freetown, Sierra Leone, we invited streets artists Vhils and Sydney G James, along with the local artists Hawa Jane and Felix Rhodes to celebrate the local culture of religious tolerance. In Sierra Leone, inter-faith families are commonplace, while mosques and churches are often open to any individual for prayer or shelter. The projects resulted in four murals facing the Sierra Leone Peace Museum, and a series of artist-led art workshops for 400 at-risk children. The murals have become a local landmark, a popular tourist spot, and the focus of celebrations by Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr. 

Additionally, 52-year-old Aminata Kargbo, a fruit seller who passed by the murals, told us “finally someone who sees Sierra Leone’s good sides and not only the bad”. Moreover, John Kamara, a class 4 student who participated in the workshops said: “I like art and friendship and this allowed me to do both. I like this workshop because I'm learning new ways to paint.”



For our next project planned for Spring of 2021, we need the support of the GoFundMe community. The COVID-19 outbreak continues to severely impact us across the globe, and today, we at Affixed Productions NGOs find ourselves unable to implement our projects through our previous funding sources. We want to continue to promote human rights and development through street art and are pleading for your generosity in ensuring that we can continue to spread colour and knowledge across public spaces. 

2021 Gender Equality Project:
In January 2021, Affixed Production NGO will together with their partners We Yone Child Foundation and Purposeful promote local and international artists to create a series of murals with an emphasis on how the local religious tolerance can promote gender equality. While Sierra Leone’s culture of inter-faith community is inspirational, like many countries, gender inequality remains all too pervasive. Although women represent 52 per cent of the total population and make vital contributions to Sierra Leone’s economy, they occupy less than 20 percent of elected positions. The patriarchal structures exacerbate several problems women face, while continuously hampering their ability to influence change. Daily, women and girls are at risk of becoming victims to various forms of sexual violence, including domestic violence, sexual assault, marital rape, and school-related sexual abuse, as well as harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM). Despite efforts to expand opportunities for women and girls to promote gender equality and empowerment of women, gender inequality and denial of women’s rights are still prevalent at all levels in Sierra Leonean society.


The murals will be created by the local artist Mable Ironnsky along with three international artists: Alaa Satir, an icon from Sudan’s 2019 revolution and the colourful Nardstar from South Africa. The artists will gain inspiration from discussions with Sierra Leonean female youth on the positive culture of inter-faith openheartedness and how it could be harnessed to promote gender equality. The three murals will invoke critical thought in spectators and encourage them to work towards equality. Also, we acknowledge the male dominance that exists in this form of artistic expression worldwide. Therefore, we hope that Jomo Kenyatta Road, which by 2021 will illustrate five murals painted by women, will stand as an inspiration for girls and women that they can become (street) artists too!

During the mural making, there will be a designated area on the wall for people who pass by and want to either paint or write something regarding gender equality and religious tolerance. Through this space, the people of Freetown will be able to become a part of the project. We are sure that locals have a lot to teach us as we look forward to interesting conversations with people who are passing by the wall. 





In addition to the murals, the artists will lead art workshops for over 450 vulnerable children in Kroo Bay and George Brook. The children will participate in discussions and art sessions focusing on how the Sierra Leonean culture of inter-faith openheartedness can promote gender equality and why gender equality is important. The children's artwork will then be exhibited at our panel discussion event at the Sierra Leone Peace Museum, where locals and internationals will view the children's artwork and ideas on gender equality through the lens of religious tolerance. The panel will consist of female and male speakers from all walks of life who will discuss how Sierra Leone can improve gender equality and how that will benefit the country. 

How will the funds be used?
The funds that we raise through your help will go towards covering the various costs of this project, from plane tickets to paintbrushes. We currently need 7427,2 Euro to conduct this project (Please see budget below) and we hope there are some of you in the GoFundMe community that would like to see it materialize. We are starting off by aiming for 3000 Euro until the end of the year and we would appreciate every donation! The project will be video- and photo-documented so all of you will be able to see the exciting result.



We would also appreciate it if you share this GoFundMe page with your network!

All the best,

Affixed Productions Team


Photos and video: Jeremiah Cothren, Lamar Landers, Marcus Olsson and Sara Portugal