December 6, 2021
By Aruna Kamara
The Chairman of Civil Society Forum in Pujehun District, Ibrahim B. Swarray has disclosed that they will be organizing a multi-stakeholders platform in order for the people in Pujehun district to have their voices heard in law making.
Speaking to A-Z Newspaper at Sahn in Malen Chiefdom , Mr. Swaray said that the citizens will be having their say into sensitive bills that are now before Parliament including the Customary Land Rights Bill ,and the Gender Empowerment bill among others
Mr. Swaray said that the multi-stakeholders platform will be held on the International Human Rights Day which is slated to take place on the 10th December 2021 in the District.
“We have the people to join us in advocating for their rights and to know the systems put in place with regard the acquisition of land. We also want the women to have their huge input into the Gender Bill”, he said.
According to Mr. Swaray, the women are determined to be involved in the legislation of laws and they are concerned about having their representation in both Council and the Parliament, adding that Currently we have twenty three councilors in the Pujehun District Council who are men and six members of Parliament in the district who are all men.
Mr. Swaray said that civil society activists in Pujehun district are determined to ensuring that the rights of the people are protected and respected in the district, adding that we have civil society looking at various thematic areas including human rights.
Speaking to this medium in an exclusive interview, residents of Pujehun lauded CSOs for thinking about organizing the platform so that they have their input into the formulation of policies and laws of the country.
Jitta Jah said that if some of their MPS do not come regularly to inform us about what they are doing with regards law making but the approach of the CSOs is in place as when their voices are heard will make them happy and go with the understanding that they are part of the governance process in the country.
“We the women in Pujehun want to have contributions into the land rights bill as women should have the rights to own land and also represent their people in parliament and the local councils,” She said.