Vox Pop
By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
After the signing of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Law by President Bio, women have expressed dissatisfaction that they were not aware of the bill before it came into law. The Law seeks to provide a 30% quota for elective and public officer positions for women, to have Gender Units within MDA’s and extend maternal leave from 12 weeks to 14 weeks.
However, this media aimed at gauging the views of businesswomen, working-class women and students on what they think about the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Law.
Jariatu Kamara, Trader in toys disclosed that as a woman, she was not aware of this law and I did not know anything in the Act. She however noted that the law provides a tremendous advantage in terms of employment and seeking elective positions. “I want MDAs to work with President Bio for women to have access to finance to ensure women’s rights”, she said.
Sallaymatu Conteh, a Fruit merchant, expressed elation that she felt so good and proud to hear that President Bio has signed the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Law for women to play an active role in both private and public offices. Previously, she said only men play’s active role but now women too can play an active role.
She added that the law is good for women to have a long maternal leave as it is not easy for a woman to give birth and went to work after 12 weeks. For example, she said if a woman gives birth to a male child she needs more than six months for her to recover her strength and good health.
Fatmata Kunta, a Shop owner, disclosed that this is the first time to hear about the law. She intimated that she has heard about the 50/50% for women but the 2022 Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Law was a novelty to her. She however noted that she felt good about the new law as most of them have been left out in decision-making for far too long.
“Am also happy for the extension of maternal leave, however, we want the government to give us more facilities by not leaving it at 30% but it should be up to 50% quota as in any sector because women are the ones that feels the pain”, she confessed.
She concluded by encouraging the government to put a mechanism in place to ensure that that law is being enforced aggressively. She also advised the government to help educate citizens on laws that bring change across the country.
This has just begun…