PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, May 2021
In honour of the international Women’s Day, the Network Movement for Democracy and Human Rights (NMDHR) is pleased to call on the government through the Sierra Leone Parliament to pass the Gender Empowerment Bill into law in Sierra Leone. It could be recalled on the 21st of July 2021, Ministers of Cabinet under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio approved the “Gender Empowerment Bill” that was put forward by the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Ms. Manty Tarawallie.
Women account for 50.63 percent of the total population in Sierra Leone yet occupy less than 20 percent of elected positions. Their voice, visibility, participation, and representation in elective and appointment positions remain extremely low compared to men. Women still struggle with the following challenges including economic independence, high illiteracy, deep-rooted customs and traditions, and the lack of confidence to vie for public positions.
Though they have made significance contributions to the economy and have often played a substantial rote in the subsistence of their families, women also provide greater percent of farm labor in rural communities but still faced larger power dynamic problem as men still possess and control greater access to ownership and control of the production.
Women in Sierra Leone are at risk for sexual and gender-based violence in the form of domestic violence, sexual assault of adults and minors, marital rape, school-related sexual abuse, and harmful traditional practices like female genital mutilation.
Amidst these prevailing and ongoing challenges women faced in Sierra Leone, we are craving on the indulgence of the Sierra Leone Parliament to pass into law the “Gender and Empowerment Bill” that poised to create more space and opportunities for women to be voted for potential elective positions, have voice in decision making, and also have appointment opportunities.
NMDHR’s mission is to promote human rights and governance issues through training, dialogue, advocacy, lobbying, and campaigns to change the mindset of the people and increase their participation in governance so that development and peace can take place.
– Abdul Karim Habib, Executive Director, NMDHR