By: Mohamed M. Sesay
In his closing courtesy at the 10th Africa Conference on Sexual and Health Rights (ACSHR) staged at Bintumani Conference Centre, President Julius Maada Bio assured delegates from more than 41 African Countries that his government has taken bolder steps to guarantee more political representation and participation; proportionate and just access to resources, protection, and justice; more proactive and woman-centric policies across government; and also urged Parliament to expeditiously enact the first Gender Empowerment and Women’s Equality Bill.
“If our women and girls must share in the great promise of tomorrow; if they should be partners in building just, peaceful, and inclusive societies; we must and should end rape and sexual violence in this lifetime”, he said.
President Bio equally made a clarion call on other Africa Countries to advance women’s political participation and move towards breaking all glass ceilings for girls in their countries. He added that Sierra Leone’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Bill will guarantee a minimum 30% quota of women for all elected and appointed positions across all levels of Government. He acknowledged that African countries could not build their nations’ promises when women continue to be shut out of decision-making from the villages to the Parliament and everywhere in between. He, therefore, called on Parliament to follow the lead of his Cabinet and pass the long-overdue legislation.
President Bio furthered that delegates might have seen the signs of the national Menstrual Hygiene campaign as they travelled across Freetown. He intimated that Sierra Leone is campaigning as a nation that menstruation is and can no longer be a source of shame and exclusion for girls.
He said he wants menstruation to be a norm and that as an African man, an African leader, he can and should speak freely and publicly about menstruation because there is no shame in menstruation. He disclosed that the only shame is that the girls continue to be held back and left behind, shut out of the classroom for over eighty days a year. He also urged all in the conference room to act now to remove the stigma and that National Governments must work to provide safe and affordable sanitary products for girls.
As a leader, President Bio continued that he has done and will continue to do what he does to protect and promote women’s rights because it matters to him that girls and young women across this country can grow up in safety and dignity. He maintained that it also matters to him that girls can receive an equal and quality education, and good healthcare, while they know they have assured access to resources, services, and opportunities. He reiterated that it matters to him that girls can step into their roles as political and community leaders, entrepreneurs, doctors, and scientists, and propel the nation on the path of sustainable development in Sierra Leone.
“Fellow citizens of Africa and leaders of this continent, I invite all of you to join us as we set out to achieve this bold and progressive vision for our shared futures. To the young people who have presented to us, we have heard you and we share your concerns and aspirations. We will do all we can about our shared ambitions, he concluded.
