July 27, 2021
By Aruna Kamara (Bo)
The Executive Director of Center for Advocacy and Sustainable Empowerment (CASE) Sierra Leone, Madam Rassie Bah has urged government to put into practice the much trumpeted women’s empowerment.
Speaking to A-Z Newspaper in an emotional manner, she said that much needs to be done when it comes to women’s empowerment but further stated that the government of the day needs to be somehow commended for the steps taken to bring out the Gender Empowerment Bill which she has been looking forward to see actualized.
He said the TRC Recommendation highlighted the 30% quota for women representation in governance and this has not been effectively implemented and they are looking forward to seeing that happens now that there is a Gender Empowerment Bill.
It could be recalled that On Wednesday, 21st July 2021 cabinet under the leadership of His Excellency, Brig Rtd Dr. Julius Maada Bio approved the Gender Empowerment Bill 2021 and authorized the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Hon. Madam Manty Tarawally to present the Bill in Parliament.
The Gender Empowerment Bill contains 4 key provisions: minimum 30% elective positions for women, minimum 30% appointive positions for women, improve and increase access to finance for women, gender mainstreaming and budgeting across all sectors. This Bill is not conceived in abstract. It is a manifesto promise that this ‘tok n do’. Government, led by His Excellency, Brig Rtd Dr. Julius Maada Bio is honoring.
However, other civil society led women`s organizations in Bo have called on the parliamentarians to do the needful to ensure that women are empowered and take their rightful positions in the country, which according to them, “what men can do women can do it better”.