March 12, 2021
By: Francis F.M.Harding
International Women Day has taken place on the 8th March. It is an event that spans over a century in celebration of social, economic and political achievement of women. It is a global event where women come together to champion their rights, female empowerment and gender equality. Each year International Women Day is themed and this year the theme is “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.” Sierra Leone on Monday joined the world in commemorating International Women’s Day, an annual event held on March 8 to celebrate the achievements of women in social, economic, political and cultural life towards making the world a better place for all. The event, which has been observed since 1911, is also used to rekindle the struggle for gender parity and women’s empowerment. Many events including an inter-schools debate, awards programs, stakeholder meetings and conferences were held to mark the occasion. During the International Women’s Day A-Z News captured women’s voices.
The voice of women’s on the street.
“While fewer African women are heard, I represent the echo of the millions of creative, inspiring and innovative strong women – challenging stereotypes through the petty trading to show girls it can be done.”- Mabinty Samura a trader at Abacha Street Freetown.
“We will have true progress when women are given fair representation, equal opportunities and adequate inclusivity across all sectors of society, especially in the parliament.” – Fatu Samura a trader at Rawdon Street Freetown.
“Many women are unable to come out of their shells due to fear and discrimination. But as Joyce Meyer says, if you listen to your fears, you will die never knowing what a great person you might have been. I urge every woman to step out and do exploit. Happy Woman’s Day”- Massa Musa a hair dresser at Rawdon Street Freetown.
“We need more women in the corporate, media and general civic space. We need women who will lead the discussions and drive for balance. Gender equality is key for the development of society.”- Balu Dumbuya a journalist.
“Sexual violence has all but destroyed their ability to dream. It’s stolen their smiles and filled them with pain, anguish and anxiety,” said Adama a survival of gender based violence, a vibrant 45-year-old. “The pain is so profound, and the emotional void they feel is so deep that they simply don’t want to live.”
“For me, the prize represents an opportunity for the girls and boys,” Aminata Dasama a teacher in a co-education school, adding she hoped it would show that “it is possible for survivors of sexual violence to change their lives and undertake life projects by NGOs that are positive for them, for their families and for society.”
“I broke the system,” says Francess, an enterprenuerer within Lumley community. “All my social activities are aimed to support women and help to inspire as many people as possible,” she says. Her journey to a career in enterprenuerer was not easy in her home town Moyamba, women are expected to opt out of their careers to start and take care of their families.
“Mwana muke hana haki yake! Mwana muke hana haki yake,” says Nancy a Sierra Leone studied in Kenya said these word with anguish. It’s a Kiswahili expression that means, “Women have no rights”. She’s heard this phrase repeated too many times to women who attempt to report gender-based violence to community leaders.
“Women have suffered the most during this period,” says Fatmata Kamara. “With the closure of markets and ban on public transport, they had no way of selling their produce or conducting their businesses. Domestic violence has increased tremendously.”
“I want people in rural areas to have the same opportunities as people in cities,” a business who came to buy business at Guinea store Abacha Street Freetown says. “I imagine a world with respect for different cultures, with respect for men and women… I dream of equity.” Elizabeth Goba a graduate.
“I stay with the Western part of Freetown during the COVID-19 lockdown, I check into neighbors compounds every few days to make sure they were alright and provided information if they needed help”. Miatta had learned about gender-based violence prevention and response during training by ActionAid Sierra Leone which inspired her to become a change maker in her community.
“To bring about a real change, women have to provide each other the space to share, learn and grow together,” Isata says. “Women supporting women is crucial to ensure a safe, equal and happy society for both men and women especially as women constitute the highest population and they are not supporting themself.”
“At the age of 16, she was gang raped. Baindu grew up in Bay community, the largest informal settlement in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, where sexual and gender-based violence is an endemic and pervasive issue. It has been exacerbated even more in the COVID-19 pandemic, with lockdowns creating more family and financial stress”. She is trying to open an organization, supporting survivors of sexual and other forms of violence in the community. As a six-year-old girl, Baindu Kalokoh not her right name was sexually abused.
“When you’re a leader, you’re changing the narrative,” Adama Saccoh a formal member of Children’s Forum Network says. “We need to train our young girls on the importance of education. We need to reclaim our power so that we raise a different generation that understands there is power, but there is power that you can control.”
“Women are largely seen and not heard. Their faces adorn newspapers. However, on important national and international issues, they fade out. Even when the news is about them, the story only gains real prominence if there is a male authority figure or newsmaker on the scene”. Alimatu a journalist.
“Women training in hair dressing are very important as within the salon for, manicure, pedicure, to increase recognition and respect for women career in Sierra Leone and to normalize the image of girls and women in hair dressing for both men and women.” Emma an Entrepreneur.
“Things are difficult for them as woman. In the morning their husband gave the m 40,000, to cook when they go to market they will suffer. So is like men are running away from their responsibility.” Madam Lakkoh chairlady of the Blank Tank Market.
“Women risk their life; they get up very early in the morning they go to town. They will rubbers, and rapists.” Mary a trader at Engine Market.
Every woman has a story to tell. I wish to state that God has created women to be help mate to men. This ideal has been quite difficult to attain but we must get there in moral conviction that it is in the interest of all.
Now, let us consider five components of women’s empowerment: women’s sense of self-worth; their right to have and to determine choices; their right to have access to opportunities and resources; their right to have power to control their own lives, both within and outside the home; and their ability to influence the direction of social change to create a more just social and economic order, nationally and internationally.
In this context, education, training, awareness raising, building self-confidence, expansion of choices, increased access to and control over resources, and actions to transform the structures and institutions that reinforce and perpetuate gender discrimination and inequality are important tools for empowering women and girls to claim their rights which leads to national development. I recently learnt of the passing of one of the ‘Founding mothers’ of UN Women, Margaret Snyder, affectionately known as Peg. She would be proud of the spirit and the ethos that endures as part of her legacy. I want to join the women to salute her and her pioneering spirit. I have great pride in the dedicated personnel of UN Women. These are the people who confront the problems of the pandemic faced by women and girls every day.
The Ministry of Gender celebrated in two days events on 18th-19th March, 2021. Whatever must have said must translate in tangible deliverables that change the lamentable situations women are talking about.
The first IWD was acknowledged in the United State in 1909 when 15,000 female workers went on strike in New York City to protest for working condition, bad paid and demand for the right to vote. The following year the socialist of American declared the first national women day in honor of the workers. It was first celebrated as International Women Day (IWD) in 1911 when Austria, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland became among the first country outside the US to mark the day. In 1927 Russia women stage a bread and peace protesting against food shortages and inflation. This strike leads them to be granted the right to vote. In 1975 the United Nations announced the 8th March as the official International day to advance the status of women worldwide as part of its commitment to championing Human Rights.
Women of Sierra Leone like elsewhere must remember that rights and responsibilities go hands in glove.