By: Mohamed M. Sesay
Putting the newly enacted National Lands Commission Act 2021, and the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act 2022 into context , and also committing to fully implement the 30% quota for women, the country’s maiden Commissioner General of National Lands Commission, Sheikh S. Sowa, has engaged in a wild range social media campaign on promoting women’s rights in Sierra Leone under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio.
In his statement, the Commissioner General, stated that “we should also know that the 30% female inclusion is for all sectors of our government. In fact women’s right in the customary land rights is now fully guaranteed” said Commissioner General Sheikh S. Sowa.
The Lands Commissioner General further stated that women could now acquire customary land for investment without any gender hindrance for example, “women now have equal rights as men to own land”. He said.
The worldly-wise Commissioner General also commended women in politics and admonished them that, Parliament is not the only sector to secure their 30% proportional rights. “Those who cannot make it to parliament can be considered for other sectors”. He assured.
The Commissioner General also provided an indelible response by assuring participants that, the National Lands Commission in this week or so would have to advertise consultancies for legal experts to draft for the commission the regulations in support of the National Lands Commission Act. “So we are getting prepared”. He said.
Sheikh S. Sowa expressed great optimism that women empowerment is set to cut across all sectors of governance. Hence, massive awareness raising, education and sensitization activity is going on.
He disclosed that he held a meeting with representatives of the council of chiefs two weeks ago, and similar nationwide meetings will continue as a means of popularizing the National Lands Commission Act to enhance sustainable community participation and ownership.
Supporting women empowerment…