By: Audrey Raymonda John
During the official launch of the 9th edition of the Afro Barometer Survey by the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) at Raddison Blu Hotel, the survey unearthed that 76% of Sierra Leoneans allude to the fact that government is doing “fairly well” in terms of promoting equal rights and opportunities for women whereas, 64% say Government is doing “very well” in that same direction.
In her statement, the Director of Academic and Career Affairs, University of Sierra Leone Dr. Fatou Taqi, lauded government’s efforts in addressing gender inequalities and also called for more in terms of eradicating inequalities. She affirmed that Majority of Sierra Leoneans believe that government is doing a good job in terms of promoting equal rights and opportunities for women.
She also alluded to the report that citizens endorse equal rights for women to own and inherit land, to get a job, and to run for public offices. “Most think that a woman who runs for office will gain standing in the community, but a significant number also consider it likely that others in the community will criticize or harass her”, she said.
She continued that believers in equal rights for women are in their boisterous mood celebrating Sierra Leone’s achievement in passing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act into law, which mandates equal pay for equal work, maternity leave, financial inclusion, and a 30% quota of women in government appointments and private institutions with more than 25% employees.
Key findings of survey indicate that in Sierra Leone, women are less likely than men to have post-secondary education (7% vs. 20%) and more likely to have no formal schooling at all (46% vs. 34%) . It also states that large majorities of Sierra Leoneans say women should have the same rights as men to own and inherit land representing (78%) and to be elected to public office (71%).
The report also indicates that eight in 10 respondents representing (82%), think that a woman will gain standing in the community if she runs for office. However, more than 4 in 10 (42%) consider it likely that others in the community will criticize or harass women, and 21% think women probably face problems with family members.