By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
Celebrating the 5th Annual National Prestigious Awards and Fund Raising with the theme ‘Making the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act Work for a Better Sierra Leone,’ Women’s Forum Sierra Leone has on Saturday 11th November 2023 at Bintumani conference awarded the First Lady Madam Fatima Bio for championing women’s and girls’ issues as that had added value to them.
In her statement as the keynote speaker, the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatima Bio began her speech by commending the organizers of the event, adding that the supports she received from different women’s organizations in the fight against rape were the motivations that touched her to address some of the most contending issues that women and girls faced.
Madam First Lady expressed that the seriousness implored in the fight had placed so much value to women and girls to such an extent that made them feel secured and valued, adding that the stringent laws had been very instrumental. First Lady Fatima bio called to mind that the launching of the “Hands Off Our Girls campaign by President Julius Maada Bio had made it possible for the establishment of a sexual offensive modern court that deals with sexual offensive matters
“The enactment of the GEWE Act puts the country’s ice on the nail. We are now the envy of the majority of other countries around the world. While we are happy and shouting all over about the significant progress we’ve made in putting into law the issues that have been holding us back from total participation, inclusion and expression in all aspects of development from the homes, schools, communities, the work place and in governance” she said.
The National President for the Women’s Forum Sierra Leone, Sally Ndimawa Adams, in her speech at the event, lauded the First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio for championing women and girls’ issues, as she expressed that the 2023 celebration was focusing on gender empowerment and national development.
The Women’s Forum President revealed that the Gender Empowerment Act was crucial to all Sierra Leoneans as its implementation was a hurdle task and encouraged all women organizations, institutions and individuals to appreciate the so much effort placed, adding that it was a grave pathway towards development.
The Minister of Social Welfare, Madam Melrose Karminty, who doubled as Women’s Forum Board Chair, espressed that the passing of the 30% Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act was successful because of the passion and support that were given by the Members of Parliament. She thanked President Bio and his dear wife, First Lady, Madam Fatima Bio and all stakeholders for their support. Madam Karminty added that the passing of the GEWE Act was a national development base and security issue. “Today there are more women in the corridors of power and that is one of the greatest assert we would continue to enjoy,” the Women’s Forum Board Chair Madam Karminty underscored.