By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay
September 06, 2020, (232News)
FREETOWN – As a way of adding their voice to women and girls empowerment, Sierra Leone’s finest GSM operator, Africell SL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United Nations Women popularly known as UN Women to end violence against women and girls.
The signing took place yesterday 15th October, 2019 at the Africell America Corner at Bathurst Street at the Central Business District of Freetown.
Africell’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Joe Abass Bangura described the signing ceremony as one that is based on both organisations agreeing to cooperate in promoting Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.
He stated that the MOU covers 3 core areas of cooperation:
- Advocacy action on ending violence against Women and Girls
- Male engagement in advocacy and actions for gender equality and the empowerment of women
- Institutional capacity strengthening on gender equality and the empowerment of women in Africell
He added that Africell’s areas of intervention will include:
- Establishment of a national toll-free line to report Sexual and Gender Based Violence cases;
- Hoisting up of Billboards carrying “Ending Violence Against Women and Girls” messages;
- Use of Afri Radio for media engagement during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (and beyond);
- Production of joint campaign messages on advocacy materials on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls;
- Using other multi-media and communication initiative to campaign on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls.
“Of important note, is that UN Women will also be working with Africell in revamping the development and management of gender related policies in the company,” he affirmed.
Joe Abass reflected on some of the work of Africell when it comes to women empowerment:
“There is no argument that Africell is a leading sponsor of ALL THINGS WOMEN in the Country; From the signature program of our First Lady, Madam Fatima Bio – THE HANDS-OFF OUR GIRLS CAMPAIGN to the Well woman Clinic’s Annual Breast Cancer campaign; From the Annual Women Mean Business Awards to the Power Women 232 Annual Networth Ball; From Rozzy’s EDUCATION THROUGH ENTERTAINMENT project to Star Zee’s YES TO BOOK N PEN Musical – and of course the recently concluded Miss Sierra Leone Beauty Pageant.”
He stated that at a time like this, the entire world is in agreement with the need to end all forms of abuse and violence against women noting that all over the world society is doing more to create a better atmosphere that empowers women.
He further stated that Africell supports all initiatives to get women more involved in national development, more engaged in promoting social justice, economic growth and security; leveraging their unique talents and make them strong partners in unlocking and building potentials all across the country; after all, they make up more than half of their planet.
“To further underscore our commitment to women’s empowerment, almost 1/3 of our permanent staff are women; and we will continue to work on increasing this number. On behalf of the Management and Staff of Africell, I wish to commend UN Women for its continued strives for global gender equality and women’s empowerment. We look forward to working with you on similar initiatives in the future,” he affirmed.
UN Women Country Office Representative, Dr. Mary Okomo thanked Africell for their tremendous contribution towards women empowerment.
She described the partnership as a wonderful privilege to share with Africell.
Madam Okomo stated that the hotline will also address the number one priority on addressing rape.
She spoke about their engagement with the Government of Sierra Leone and talked about greater penalty for perpetrators of gender and sexual base violence.
