By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL) has in an open letter dated 4th August 2023 commended His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio for upholding and fully implementing the provisions of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act (GEWE).
“We write to extend our sincere congratulations and heartfelt appreciation for your government’s unweaving commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment in Sierra Leone, as evidenced by the recent election of 41 women to Parliament and the appointment of 20 women to serve as Ministers and Deputy Ministers in your cabinet,” WIMSAL overwhelmingly expressed.
Women in the Media Sierra Leone further expressed that President Bio’s commitment to gender equality by fully implementing the provisions in the GEWE act were a testament to Sierra Leone’s significant progress in promoting women’s participation in leadership and decision making roles. WINSAL noted that the implementation of the GEWE act in 2021marked a historic moment in the country’s journey towards a more inclusive and equal society, and added that it was indeed a step in the right direction by fostering a more balanced and diverse political landscape.
WIMSL however made a clarion call to President Bio and his government about the crucial steps in fully realizing the Act’s objectives. “While we have made considerable progress in the political sphere, it is vital that the 30% representation of women is also reflected in other crucial offices and institutions,” WIMSAL added.
WIMSAL urged the government to take proactive measures to ensure that women’s representation extends to decision-making, and other leadership positions in the Civil service, Government Boards, Committees, and Commissions as Ambassadors and High Commissioners, as well as within the security sector, including the Police and Armed forces. WIMSAL added that the government should also consider women when creating opportunities for training and employment in all spheres, as that would foster a more holistic and equitable society.
Women in the Media Sierra Leone expressed that women entrepreneurs and business owners deserve equal access to financial services and credit facilities. The organization therefore called upon government financial institutions, such as the Bank of Sierra Leone and the Ministry of finance to ensure equal financial access and right to finance across all financial institutions, and went on noting that it would empower women to seize economic growth.
To ensure accountability and progress in those matters WIMSAL requested that the government through the relevant ministries actively monitor and audit responsible institutions’ compliance with the gender equality policies, and assured that, that would guarantee the gains that would be achieved for sustainable and for a more prosperous future. WIMSAL expressed its commitment to those women as they execute their mandates through its reports and assured that the organization would as well hold them accountable where necessary for the greater good of Sierra Leone. WIMSAL once again thanked President Bio and expressed hope that His commitment to progress equality paves the way for a brighter and more prosperous Sierra Leone.