By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a recent and positive development, female employees of Orange-SL have elected Martha Sumaila as President of the Orange Sierra Leone Women’s Organization to mann the affairs of women within the organization. The Orange Sierra Leone Women Organization is aimed at enhancing women’s empowerment and fostering positive development amongst women in the company.
The new administration is expected to work towards strengthening a more cordial and friendly relationship wherein all female staff members will have a voice on issues affecting their wellbeing in the company. The organization’s main focus will be to champion issues affecting women and seeks to find a common ground to address challenges they face on a daily basis.
In an exclusive interview with the newly elected President of the, Martha Sumaila, she kicked-off by stating that everywhere in the world, women face social, cultural and emotional barriers to equality.
“These barriers are not always from external forces, they are mostly invisible barriers and they are self-imposed,” she averred adding that it is no secret that women have always been seen differently and treated unfairly in comparison to men.
According to Martha, whether it is within the political arena or in the workplace or at home, a woman’s role is often downplayed and sometimes the only knowledge left is often what she has to offer in her appearance.
She pointed out that in as much as women have made great strides over the past few years in the gender ratio they still have some work to do in some areas.
“In as much as there has not been a lot of buzz going on around on the topic of improvement in women empowerment, there is no proof to back the claim,” she intimated maintaining that it was stated that all these shortfalls in women empowerment course must CHANGE!
“But this change will only happen if all invest in women and their power,” she underscored.
Martha stated that there are key projects on women empowerment she is determined to implement.
“In the spirit of inclusion and positive collaboration, that is….LEAVE NO WOMAN BEHIND, I will be implementing them together with Bettie Mason from the Commercial Department who will co-steer this ship with me as the Vice President,” she pointed out.
She said when they assume office their key objectives would be to mediate between the women of Orange SL and Management in order to design policies and programs that women need, ensuring that those policies and programs will be effectively implemented to truly benefit all the women (Every Woman) within and outside Orange.
Dilating on their Organization’s Mission, Martha said it is centred on empowering Orange Sierra Leone women with opportunities and tools to care for themselves, their families and also to strengthen their communities.
She disclosed that they have put together a number of projects they intend to implement during their tenure.
Martha talked about the Female Mentorship Program, stating that Female Managers upwards will be assigned women at lower levels to mentor.
She also mentioned study support, elucidating that they will work closely with the Human Resource and Finance Departments to provide study subsidy to women on a 1st come 1st serve basis.
The result-oriented elected President continued that since promotion period of the institution they are serving is underway her office will lobby for more women promotions across all levels.
She stated that welfare plays a vital role in contributing to the growth of a business revealing that during their tenure they will continue to lobby for better policies that cover staff welfare mentioning Health support, Widow’s Welfare, Maternity leave and a host of others.
Martha ended by informing how they will partner with national and international women groups in order to exchange ideas, contribute to the work they are doing and showcase what they do internally.
Concluding with an inspiring slogan, Martha Sumaila, said: “What better time to be a woman in Orange SL than NOW! OSL Women, we Move! And we leave no woman behind”.
