By Amadu S. Bah
232news
President of the Republic of Sierra Leone His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio has officially given his assent to the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act 2022 for its full implementation.
The signing ceremony took place last Thursday 19th January 2022 at the Foreign Service Academy, Tower Hill, Freetown.
Speaking on behalf of the Southern Province Women’s Network (SPRONET), Gertrude Karimu, thanked the President and the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs for fulfilling one of his manifesto promises.
She noted that SPRONET is grateful for the landmark legislation that will change the history of Sierra Leone, pointing out that President Bio’s name will go down in the history of Sierra Leone as the “Champion for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.
In her statement as the President for the All Political Parties Women’s Association Madam Augusta James-Tima noted that APPWA was one of the voices that started the call for the GEWE Act.
She went on to register the organization’s profound gratitude to the President Bio for having appointed a woman to lead the Ministry who pushed the GEWE policy which has redeemed the women in Sierra Leone.
The APPWA President stated that since the bill has been passed by Parliament and assented by the President, APPWA is now calling on political parties to review their constitutions and make provisions for the thirty percent quota women’s representation in strategic positions within political parties as enshrined in the GEWE Act 2022.
Making a statement by the Ministry, the Honorable Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs Madam Manty Tarawalie, noted that the story of the gender agenda in Sierra Leone has taken significant steps over the years.
She pointed out that the GEWE Act 2022 is a new dawn for the women and girls in Sierra Leone, stating that her ministry is proud to have put together the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act 2022 policy which the President has assented to.
Throwing light on the implementation of the GEWE Act 2022, Hon. Manty said that the ministry has converted the policy into two key instruments which are the Gender Mainstreaming and the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act 2022.
She also reported that the ministry has already started the implementation of the policy. She concluded by thanking the President, members of the Parliament, women’s group, donor partners, and all hands that made the GEWE Act 2022 a reality.
Giving the keynote address, the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, H.E Dr. Julius Maada Bio first started by tendering apologies to the women of Sierra Leone stating that governments have been unfair to women when it comes to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
President Bio also pointed out that the GEWE Act has been a long journey, highlighting that women have worked assiduously for the development of Sierra Leone politically and socio-economically.
President Bio said since women constitute fifth two percent of the country’s population, they should be given equal opportunities as he believes that the “He story is also her story.”
President Bio went on to reaffirm his government’s commitment to put women in key positions in government and to support the fair implementation of the GEWE Act 2022.
President Bio went on to emphasize that women’s right is not just about making women better rather it is a human right.
He said the Act is to stand against political, social, and economic injustices that have held women in back.
