By: Ilyasa Baa
As Sierra Leone joined the world in commemoration of International Women’s Day on Wednesday, Parliamentary aspirant for the Western Urban District under the All People’s Congress (APC), Aminata Sesay has called for continued mentorship of women and massive turnout at the polling centres to collect voters’ identity cards from 17th – 26th March, when the cards are slated to be issued out to members of the public.
According to Aminata Sesay aka Natado, voting for the APC and effecting regime change, starts from registration and collection of voters’ cards which enable anyone to cast his or her ballot during the June 24th multi-tier elections.
She said the men and women of her party need to understand the significance of collecting their I.D. cards from the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL). She stressed that the governance of the country would return to the main opposition APC party if their supporters see the need to collect their I. D. cards massively at every polling centre across the country.” APC believes in inclusion, love and infrastructural development”, she said, adding that it is left with the electorates to collect their voter’s cards and cast their votes for things to change for the benefit of all Sierra Leoneans.
Speaking during an interview online Wi Yard TV Channel, Madam Sesay expressed the need for institutions to continue providing mentorship for women especially those vying for public offices. “Having undergone some mentorship and effective training, I feel very strong to contribute to national development and contest with the men at the forthcoming parliamentary election”, Natado maintained. She said the will to serve her country is much greater than any form of intimidation being a finisher.
She said women in Sierra Leone are vulnerable to many forms of abuse especially rape being a sensitive issue. She commends the government for enacting stringent laws against rape noting that more needs to be done in that direction like setting up Safe Houses in the districts to protest rape victims which is currently lacking.
Madam Aminata Sesay is an outstanding self-employed Nurse who had worked in England but had to return home having been inspired by her desire to help develop the Urban District precisely.
APC supporters in the Western Area have commended Madam Sesay for her courage in leaving all the Pounds she was making in Europe behind to make her country great again. They called on the party to award symbols to hard-working women, not men who have not done much for the district.
It could be recalled that the passing of the Gender Equality Act, which prescribes a 30% quota for women; the political landscape has seen many women at home and abroad coming out for public offices ahead of the 24 June elections.