(Opinion Article)
By: Mohamed Sahr mohamedsahrpro@gmail.com
Even though women’s empowerment and human rights are closely aligned in many aspects of the socio-economic flourishment of a nation, this jury brings a fanfare of prosperous nation building and developmental pointers. It is safe to say that women’s empowerment is viewed as giving women the rights, resources, and opportunities they crave to fully participate in society.
This deals with addressing gender inequality, discrimination, oppression, promoting equality and justice for all. On the other hand, human rights are fundamental to women’s empowerment of which these rights provide the framework for ensuring that women have the same rights and protection as their men counterpart.
Foremost, women’s right to education is one of the enhancements for the empowerment of women. This focuses on ensuring that women and girls have equal access to quality education, from primary school to university. It means eliminating gender-based violence, harassment, providing scholarships and mentorship opportunities for girls. United Nations Education Science Cultural Organization and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNESCO, UNICEF) are formidable advocates for women’s right to education.
UNESCO 2022 examines that education is a fundamental human right; and girl’s education is essential to achieving gender equality, reducing poverty and building a better future. It is on this backdrop that President Bio’s first five years spell was pegged on free quality education and radical inclusion as his flagship program regardless of tribe and regions.
The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) in 2022 estimates that 3.1 million pupils especially girls and boys enjoyed from the Free Quality Education and school feeding over past five years. In Sierra Leone, the Free Quality Education enhances the access to quality education which enables children to develop and flourish. It also helps educated children to scale the level of confidence and ability to different academic works.
Notwithstanding, women’s right to health is a driving force behind a successful nation. Access to quality healthcare includes reproductive healthcare and maternal health services have made tremendous impact to the country’s improvement.
In other words, eliminating gender-based violence and discrimination in healthcare settings, equal access to health information and education, access to nutritious food and clean water, improving of mental health and well-being and health equity are factors that address women’s right to health in Sierra Leone.
UNICEF Sierra Leone Demographical Health Survey 2019 reports that per one thousand life birth seven hundred and seventy (770) maternal mortality rates happens. However, WHO observes that women’s right to health is rooted in the right to life which emphasizes the importance of reproductive health services, access to contraceptives and reducing maternal mortality rates. That is to say, WHO focuses on addressing non-communicable diseases that disproportionately affect women, like breast and cervical cancer, heart disease and depression.
Going forward, WHO has highlighted the role of women as health care workers and their impact on gender equity, inclusion in health policy and programs. It is evidence that investing in women’s health is key to building a healthier world.
Nonetheless, women’s right to political participation means ensuring women’s involvement in politics and decision-making processes at all levels of government’s dugout. For instance in Sierra Leone the enactment of the Gender Equality Women’s Empowerment otherwise GEWE bill in 2021 is a testament to the right of women in political participation and decision-making processes. The bill provides 30% quota to women’s participation in governance and leadership positions within the country. This success brings a new dawn of above 30% of women as Members of Parliament in the recent opening of the sixth Parliament in the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Aside from this, UN Women notes that women’s political participation is essential for achieving gender equality and empowering women. In this regard, it leads to more inclusive and representative governments, better policy outcomes and greater accountability.
Moreover, women’s right to economic empowerment enables women to have equal opportunities to participate in and benefit from economic activities without discrimination or barriers. It is more or less about ensuring that women have access to jobs, start businesses and have control over their finances.
In order to create a more level playing field of women to thrive economically, access to education and training opportunities, equal pay and enough access to job promotions, protection against gender-based discrimination in the workplace, maternity leave and flexible working arrangements can be the mainstay priorities for nation’s development. International Labor Organization and World Bank in 2022 have recently thoughts about women’s right to economic empowerment. ILO demonstrates that closing gender gaps in labor forces participation and reducing the gender wage gap can have a signing impact on economic growth and poverty reduction. On that note, World Bank in 2021 reveals that economic empowerment for women are not just a moral imperative but an economic and development imperative.
In conclusion, women’s empowerment and human rights are interconnected which include a range of issues, marking from access to education, empowerment, political participation and freedom from violence. Empowering women and promoting gender equality are essential for achieving social, economic and political progress for all. However, there are many barriers to women’s empowerment, including cultural norms, discriminatory laws, unequal access to resources and opportunities. In view of these, addressing gender inequality alone requires a multi-faceted approach that includes legal reform, public awareness and community engagement.