November 15, 2021
BY: MOHAMED SAHR
Disability Confidential Sierra Leone (DISCOND-SL) has reflected concern about women involvement in public offices in a letter sent to the Honorable Speaker of Parliament on Monday 8th November, 2021.
In the bid of amplifying their appreciation for the acknowledgement of receipt of the letter addressed to Parliament of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Chief Executive Officer of Disability Confidential Sierra Leone, Honorable Julius Nye Cuffie, registered his diluted compliments on the Gender Empowerment Bill that which is currently going through the legislative process in the House of Parliament.
He stated that Disability Confidential Sierra Leone serves as a civil society organization which key mandate is to advocate for the recognition, protection and promotion of persons with disabilities in Sierra Leone.
Hon. Julius Nye Cuffie said “DISCOND-SL wishes to convey our position that we are elated about this bill and we support same, save the fact that women with disabilities are not expressly provided for in the part of the bill that reserves at least thirty percent quota for women generally to hold public offices.”
He implored the Honorable Speaker of Parliament Dr. Abass Bundu to zealously use his office in order to allot at least ten percent from the thirty percent quota for women in general. He revealed this would be in conformity with article 29 of the United Nations Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities largely under the tier participation in politics and public life put together.
Hon. Julius Nye Cuffie urged that they would be appreciated for such unprecedented parliamentary move as it would not only be the first time women with disabilities are recognized and equally it would serve as an impetus in the bureaucratic system.