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In Bo & Makeni… NP-SL Ltd Extends Appreciation to Dealers & Resellers

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By Amin Kef Sesay

As a sequel to a previous programme that was held last month which in essence was to show appreciation to Station Managers and Pump Attendants on their successful completion of a training programme geared towards enhancing their performances in handling customers and to optimize safety standards, the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) has on the 11th and 12th March 2022 extended appreciation to Dealers and Resellers, in Bo for those in the South-East Provinces and in Makeni for those in the North-East Provinces. In Bo, the programme was held at the Gallinnes Hotel and in Makeni at the Wusum Hotel Conference Halls respectively.

In attendance were the Management of NP-SL Ltd which include the Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Kobi Walker, the Sales Manager of NP-SL Ltd, Vandy Bockarie, the Finance and Accounts Manager, Saidu Mansaray, Ing Munu and other members of Staff including Mary Ganda, Massah Alieu of the Commercial Department, Saffia Gbanmanja of the Safety Department and some of the drivers of the company, NP Dealers, Resellers and members of the Fourth Estate.

Chairing both programmes was the Sales Supervisor at NP-SL Ltd, Leon Aboku Cole, who in his opening statement maintained that for far too long the dealers and resellers have been serving diligently members of the public via NP-SL Ltd in order to ensure that petroleum products are accessible to all and sundry. He continued that they deemed it fit that it is high time that the company should extend appreciation to them which, according to him, is the main thrust of the twin programme.  He continued that during the programme they will be distributing Certificates of Appreciation and Excellent Performance to them furthering that the Certificates fall under three categories.

Leon pointed out that a Certificate of Affinity will be issued to show appreciation to those who, on a daily basis, operate their Filling Stations from 6:00am to at times 10 to 11:00 pm even on holidays. The other Certificate, he said, is in appreciation for Excellent Service Delivery to those who out of passion delivered above the expected volume of petroleum products within their hold or purview and finally for steady transportation of fuel by contractors on behalf of the company.

The Chief Executive Officer of NP-SL Ltd, Ambassador Kobi Walker, in his statement apologized for starting the programme late in Bo which he attributed to an important meeting which stakeholders of Oil Marketing Companies attended. He informed all that they initially wanted to engage the President, His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio but because he was out of the country they met with the Chief Minister, Jacob Jusu Saffa and a team of other Government officials.

Kobi Walker continued that the engagement was triggered by information they received, as part of Oil Marketing Companies in the country, from their overseas partners that they are no longer in a position to store fuel, supply them and for them to pay later because of the ongoing crisis between Russia and Ukraine. “We told the Chief Minister about our challenges and in return the Government committed that it will do all it can to ensure that fuel is available and access to finance was assured,” Amb Kobi Walker disclosed.

He said because they cherish the relationship that exists between them and the dealers as well as resellers they saw the need to appreciate them for their dedication and mainly because of the fact that they are the reason why the company still exists.

“When it is vacation you do not rest unlike others and because of the Supreme Sacrifices you are making you truly deserve appreciation and reward,” he stated and prayed that the relationship will continue to grow from strength to strength.

He ended up imploring all the dealers and resellers present to continue selling to members of the public and assured them that the price for petroleum products will remain the same until the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA) revisits it as it does on a monthly basis.

In his contribution, the Sales Manager of NP-SL Ltd, Vandy Bockarie, stated that in the past, as a company, they used to invite the beneficiaries to Freetown in order to show appreciation to them. He continued that this time round they decided to decentralize by coming to them.

“Because we want to continue the bond that had existed between the company and you as the frontline people that interface with members of the public on a daily basis that is why we are here today,” he intimated. The Sales Manager furthered that they as Dealers and Resellers did very well in 2021 in terms of supporting and standing by them and for that reason they want to show appreciation.

“These gatherings are also geared towards creating the opportunity for you to meet with the Management of the company in a one family spirit,” he added.

The Finance and Accounts Manager of NP-SL Ltd, Saidu Mansaray, on his part, informed the audience that the currently crisis in which Russia and Ukraine are engulfed in is beginning to have a toll on the accessibility to petroleum products globally but assured that the company is doing all it can to ensure that petroleum products are available in order to cushion the negative effects on members of the public.

He noted that nurturing a good relationship between the company and dealers as well as resellers is even better more than just the mere buying and selling. “We are about to manifest gratitude by giving you certificates of appreciation which is part of our efforts to cement the existing bond between us,” he revealed adding that it is his conviction that such will optimize the relationship and implored them to do more.

Representatives of the beneficiaries expressed profound thanks and appreciation to the Shareholders and Management of NP-SL Ltd for recognizing and honouring them.

The climax of the programme was distribution of Certificates to over 150 beneficiaries from the two provinces.

As there is Enough Fuel… Management of NP (SL) Ltd Admonishes the Public to Desist from Panic Buying

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By Amin Kef Sesay

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd), Ambassador Kobi Walker, is assuring members of the public that there is a considerable amount of petroleum products, especially petrol and diesel, which will last over time.

In addition, he revealed that representatives of Oil Marketing Companies and other stakeholders met with the Chief Minister on the 11th March, 2022 and assurances were given that there is no shortage of products in the country.

Against this backdrop, he is assuring that there is enough fuel and at the same time admonishing members of the public to desist from panic buying. The CEO is further calling on all NP Station Managers to open their Filling Stations and continue to sell to members of the public at the official stipulated prices.

Ibrahim Fofanah Declared Wanted After Alleged Same-Sex Encounter Sparks Tensions in Kono

Ibrahim Fofanah
Ibrahim Fofanah

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The rising number of isolated physical attacks against individuals suspected of being gay in Sierra Leone shows no signs of abating, as demonstrated by the recent case of Ibrahim Fofanah, who is now reportedly on the run after being caught in a same-sex encounter.

According to information gathered by The Calabash Newspaper, Ibrahim Fofanah, a resident of Kono District, is currently facing threats and harassment from his family, community members, and local authorities after being allegedly discovered engaging in homosexual activity with a male partner.

Fofanah, who comes from a devout Muslim family, was reportedly caught on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, by Community Chief Pa Alimamy Koroma, in an incomplete building, engaged in sexual activity with his long-time male companion. Following the discovery, the Chief reportedly assaulted Fofanah before he managed to escape with visible injuries.

In the aftermath, the incident was reported to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at the Kono Police Division. Police officers reportedly stormed Fofanah’s residence hours later, but he was not found. He has since been declared wanted by the Sierra Leone Police.

Community members expressed outrage over the incident, citing national laws and religious beliefs that prohibit same-sex relationships.

Eyewitnesses claim that enraged youths later gathered at Fofanah’s residence, chanting threats and armed with sticks and stones, intent on punishing him. “We will kill him today,” one chant was reportedly heard, as the crowd sought to deliver what they called “justice” in accordance with local customs and Islamic law.

A family source told The Calabash Newspaper that since the incident, Ibrahim Fofanah has fled to an undisclosed location and his whereabouts remain unknown.

Some relatives have expressed concern over his safety amid rising tensions.

When contacted, police in Kono confirmed that a manhunt is ongoing, though they declined to comment on the details of the alleged offense or the specific charges involved.

Meanwhile, rights activists have raised concerns about the potential human rights violations stemming from vigilante justice, mob threats, and law enforcement responses to cases involving alleged same-sex activity.

Scars on Ibrahim Fofanah body
Scars of wound on Ibrahim Fofanah body

In Berthkomp and Fogbo… Caritas Freetown Enjoins Women to Take Part in Leadership Positions

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By Millicent Senava Mannah

The International Women’s Day is commemorated on the 8th of March everywhere around the world. The theme for this year was: “Breaking the Bias”, as Sierra Leone is about to enact a remarkable law that will see women and men at par with each other as provided for in the Gender Empowerment Bill.

Caritas Freetown and Caritas Justice and Peace Commission, which are sub-units under the organization, commemorated the day with the women of Berthkomp and Fogbo communities in Newton, Western Rural District.

The organization sensitized the women of the two communities about the Gender Empowerment Bill which is geared towards empowering women.  Caritas, as an organization, has been giving tremendous support to the process of enacting the Bill.

Rev. Father Peter Konteh,     Executive Director  of Caritas Freetown, SL, told the women that it is high time they come together to support each other. He continued that for far too long women have not been supportive to one another and that is one of the advantages their male counterparts are using.

He advised them not to allow their husbands to maltreat them, stating that they should stand for their rights and voice out any domestic violence they are experiencing from their partners.

Father Peter also encouraged them to participate in politics as it is not only for men stressing that women must participate. He emphasized that if they are united they will be able to achieve whatever.

Ibrahim Sorie Kamara, Headman for the Fogbo community stated that women are not united and most of them rather choose to support men instead of their fellow women adding that if they support themselves they will become unstoppable.

He threw light on how women have been maltreated in their homes and how most men leave the financial burden of the family on these women. He advised that women should stand for their rights and put a stop to those ill practices from their partners.

Saio Mansaray the Headman of Berthkomp commended the organization for sensitizing their women furthering  that they are ready to give them the support they need and to punish any man that is a perpetrator of domestic violence.

Fatmata Bangura spoke on behalf of her colleagues that they appreciate the organization for educating them about their rights and how they should support their fellow women. She continued that from now onwards they will support themselves to achieve great things.

The event was climaxed with a football march by both the women and members of the organization followed by sensitizing other women who were not in attendance about the Bill and how they should support themselves.

Commemorating International Women’s Day… Women With Disabilities Eulogize ‘One Family People’

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By Foday Moriba Conteh

Sierra Leone, like other developing countries, has experienced a plethora of difficulties in addressing the needs, welfare and dignity of persons with disabilities in the country. There are certain organizations that are very keen in order to strive for a transformed continent where persons with disabilities- from children to adults, men and women – enjoy equal rights and thrive in the country.

One of those organizations is the One Family People (OFP) which, over the years, has done extremely well in the direction of ‘Breaking barriers’ for people with disabilities and supports the realization of rights, wellbeing and equalization of opportunities for all Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across the country.

During the commemoration of the International Women’s Day which is observed annually on March 8 to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness about women’s equality, lobby for accelerated gender equality across the globe, One Family People joined the Kids Advocacy Network and Polio Persons Development Association(POPDA) to commemorate the International Day of Women with an Educational Festival for Women & Girls with Disabilities at Polio Camp Magbenteh, Makeni City on the theme: Breaking the Bias for Women’s Empowerment. Everyone! No one out!

Speaking during the event, Councilor for Ward 212 Constituency 37, Adama Conteh who is visually impaired commended the One Family People for their strides towards the transformation and development of  persons with disabilities across the country.

She maintained that in a bid to recognize women with disabilities who have chosen to challenge stigma, discrimination and inequality in their communities the organization awarded 20 eminent women with disabilities who were drawn from different parts of the country with a prestigious award which she described as a move in the right direction, adding that the award served as an motivation to them as women living with disabilities to continue impacting lives in the country.

She also noted that the organization in March 2021 allocated the sum of One Billion, Four hundred and Seventy-Five Million Leones (Le1, 475, 000,000) to its five (5) partner organizations in order to support children living with disabilities in the areas of health, education, livelihood and social inclusion using the inclusive development strategy in the country.

“If I say to highlight all the things One Family People has done for persons living with disabilities in the country, even a day will not be enough. As we join other countries to commemorate the International Women’s Day, I want to use the opportunity on behalf persons living with disabilities especially women living with disabilities to commend One Family People for their tremendous efforts to the empowerment and development of persons living with disabilities in the country,” she maintained.

Other women living with disabilities including members of the Sierra Leone Association for the Blind who were present at the event also showered praises on One Family People for the support the organization has been giving to them and members of the disable community.

It must be noted that over the years the organization has been championing issues of persons living with disabilities in the country. In 2021 the organization held a familiarization engagement with the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) on their disaster preparedness and Response Strategy for persons living with disability across the country which was also applauded by members of the disable community.

In a view to evaluate the 10 years existence of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2011 in the country the organization, in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Union on Disabilities Issues, with support from Liliane Fonds also convened a National Consultative Meeting to look at the successes and challenges of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2011.

The organization in collaboration with the Institute of Gender Research and Documentation (INGRADOC), Fourah Bay College, and with support from the Liliane Fonds recently validated and shared the findings of the ‘Breaking Down Barriers’ 2021 research conducted in 2021 by talented Sierra Leonean students in the country.

Above were few interventions highlighted that the One Family People has been embarking on all geared towards the stride for a transformed continent where persons with disabilities- from children to adults, men and women – enjoy equal rights and thrive in the country.

The Problem Traders say is… Government Depends too Much on Taxes By Amin Kef Sesay The Calabash has been listening carefully to what shop owners who closed their doors last week in protest at what they see as over-taxation have to say about NRA reducing the tax threshold for paying Goods and Services Tax from an annual turnover of Le350 million to as low as Le100 million. Small and medium scale businesses that have been captured into this redefined tax net firmly maintain that with all the other bills that they have to pay, NRA would definitely not only drastically reduce their already tiny profit margins but would even drive them out of business. Many of the disgruntled shop owners accused NRA of being insensitive to their complaint and heartless, stating that it makes good business sense for NRA to keep tax rates at a very reasonable level in order to encourage the development of the private sector and the formalization of businesses. Modest taxes, they further explained, are important to small and medium enterprises, which they said contribute to economic growth and employment but do not add significantly to tax revenue. Imposing high taxes on micro, small and medium size enterprises which make up more than 90 percent of taxpayers but only contribute between 20 percent and 25 percent of tax revenue, tax experts uphold, impose high tax costs on businesses of this size; causing such businesses to move to the informal sector or even worse cease operations. Whilst the shop owners we spoke to maintained that they are not against paying taxes, agreeing that Government needs tax revenue to provide the goods and services its citizens need, they stated that one way of encouraging compliance is to keep rules as clear and simple as possible. Overly complicated tax systems, they said, are associated with larger informal sectors, more corruption and less investment. They said that it also contributes to discouraging consumption expenditure, as it forces them to increase prices, which they said brings down their turnover. On the other hand, the shop keepers we spoke to argued that economies with simple, well designed, well defined tax systems are able to boost business activity and ultimately investment and employment. Thus, while they stated that the ECR machines are complicated and time consuming to use, they humbly appealed to NRA to consider maintaining the GST threshold at its former level in order to encourage the entry of more small and medium size businesses into the formal sector.

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Calabash has been listening carefully to what shop owners who closed their doors last week in protest at what they see as over-taxation have to say about National Revenue Authority (NRA) reducing the tax threshold for paying Goods and Services Tax from an annual turnover of Le350 million to as low as Le100 million.

Small and medium scale businesses that have been captured into this redefined tax net firmly maintain that with all the other bills that they have to pay, NRA would definitely not only drastically reduce their already tiny profit margins but would even drive them out of business.

Many of the disgruntled shop owners accused NRA of being insensitive to their complaint and heartless, stating that it makes good business sense for NRA to keep tax rates at a very reasonable level in order to encourage the development of the private sector and the formalization of businesses.

Modest taxes, they further explained, are important to small and medium enterprises, which they said contribute to economic growth and employment but do not add significantly to tax revenue.

Imposing high taxes on micro, small and medium size enterprises which make up more than 90 percent of taxpayers but only contribute between 20 percent and 25 percent of tax revenue, tax experts uphold, impose high tax costs on businesses of this size; causing such businesses to move to the informal sector or even worse cease operations.

Whilst the shop owners we spoke to maintained that they are not against paying taxes, agreeing that Government needs tax revenue to provide the goods and services its citizens need, they stated that one way of encouraging compliance is to keep rules as clear and simple as possible.

Overly complicated tax systems, they said, are associated with larger informal sectors, more corruption and less investment.

They said that it also contributes to discouraging consumption expenditure, as it forces them to increase prices, which they said brings down their turnover.

On the other hand, the shop keepers we spoke to argued that economies with simple, well designed, well defined tax systems are able to boost business activity and ultimately investment and employment.

Thus, while they stated that the ECR machines are complicated and time consuming to use, they humbly appealed to NRA to consider maintaining the GST threshold at its former level in order to encourage the entry of more small and medium size businesses into the formal sector.

Presidential, Parliamentary & Council Elections to take Place in 2023 …NEC Confirms

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By Theresa Kef Sesay

There has been widespread public speculation about the date of the holding of the much anticipated 2023 local councils, parliamentary and presidential elections. Some people even speculated that President Bio would add another year to his presidency, making the elections to be held in 2024.

Chief Commissioner of the National Elections Commission, Mohamed Konneh, came out to dispel the rumours by stating that there will be no more time added, and that the elections will take place in 2023 when the life of this Parliament and Presidency that were elected in March 2018 expires.

In the latest report, a senior NEC official Wednesday night disclosed that the 2023 general elections would go ahead in accordance with the 1991 Constitution.

This, according to him, indicates that the elections will take place on a date between April and July 2023.

“The 2023 elections will be held on a date between April and July 2023,” he stressed.

It can be recalled that the 2018 elections were held on March 7th, with the Presidential runoff held on March 31st and President Bio sworn in on April 8th, 2018.

The Justice Cowan Constitutional Review Commission in its report recommended that all national elections be held on a fixed date which the Government White Paper agreed to.

Meanwhile, NEC wants to recommend fixing the first Saturday of November, 2028 for the conduct of Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council elections in Sierra Leone.

Orange-SL Launches Mobile App on Google Play Store

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By Mary Kabay

Orange Sierra Leone has on the 10th March 2022 launched its Orange mobile app on Google Play Store geared towards serving as a one-stop shop for accessing all orange facilities during an engagement that took place at the telecommunications company’s Head Office on Hill Station in Freetown.

Morenikeh Taylor, a staff of the company, revealed that it is the first time in the history of Sierra Leone for a mobile company to develop a mobile app for the use of its subscribers.

She disclosed that the application, which is called My Orange mobile App, with new interfaces, is a new design which offers the best experience in digitalization and is deemed to be the first step towards accessing multi services, access to various accounts and to take  advantage of the best offers, in terms of services and to discover contents.

Another member of staff of the company, Joseph Momoh, in his presentation of how the Orange mobile app works explained that a subscriber must first have an android device. The subscriber then moves to the next step by going to Google play store apps, search for My Orange Sierra Leone and then click on download.

He informed that the application is user friendly and offers all packages as a one stop shop ranging from credit transfer, buying credit, accessing Orange Money and all the services that Orange SL is providing.

Another staff of the company, Elizabeth Walker, revealed that the My Orange Mobile App could be the best option to access various services with just one click. She said the journey to My Orange mobile app started last year maintaining that the main reason for developing the app is geared towards enhancing customer service and customer experience and to enable everybody to enjoy a simple journey with Orange through it services.

The Chief Marketing Officer of the company, Felix Macauley explained that since the launch of the digital transformation last year they embarked on build the Orange money app which has been helping customers greatly in conducting transactions.

He said now that the My Orange app is here such will be able to oversee all the services that Orange is offering at a one stop shop and ensuring that all their customers are on a digital platform.

A question and answer session climaxed the engagement during which it was stated that once the app has been installed it can be used offline to access whatever service a subscriber wants through the My Orange mobile app.

 

UN Women Supports Gender Empowerment Bill

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By Amin Kef Sesay

The world over, there has been numerous calls for gender parity between men and women. Studies suggest that females should no longer be seen as weaker sex to their male counterparts but, they should be accorded equal opportunities so they can contribute to national development. This trajectory has seen the establishment of many rights groups the world over promulgating gender equality and women’s empowerment.

This is to ensure that the current male-dominated world creates space for women and girls because both sexes have equal abilities. This is why reputable global organizations like the United Nations (UN) continue to set better and brighter examples on rights issues for a just and equal society for all to live in.

As Sierra Leone is about to make a remarkable law that will see women and men at par with each other in the Gender Empowerment Bill 2021, many organizations both national and international have tremendously given their support to this process. Therefore, UN Women which is the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment charged with delivering programmes, policies and standards that uphold women’s human rights and ensure that women and girls live their full potential, has supported four women organizations to undertake activities that are geared towards promoting and raising awareness on the enactment of the Gender Empowerment Bill.

These include; The Women’s Forum, Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ), Advocacy Movement Network (AMNet), and Pixaweb Technologies. The Gender Empowerment Bill which was laid by the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs in September 2021 after approval by the cabinet in June, has four key provisions: 30% reserved seats for women contesting as Members of Parliament or councillors, 30% appointive positions for women to serve as Ministers, Ambassadors, High Commissioners among other top government appointments, increased access to finance and gender mainstreaming.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended a 30% quota approval of women representation in parliament 18 years ago. The TRC further recommended a 50% of equal share within ten years. (Please get the correct quote and put in quotation marks)

SLAWIJ a non-profitable organization, one of the organizations supported held five different activities, one of which was a Media Cocktail for Multi-Stakeholder dialogue on the importance of the aforementioned Bill and to get the media to dedicate their platforms to amplify the campaign to remote communities in Sierra Leone. Representatives at the media cocktail include; owners and heads of media intuitions with representatives from the districts, the Diplomatic community, Members of Parliament, media stakeholders and women’s rights activists.

The media pledged overwhelming support to raise awareness in communities across the country to get women to understand the content of the Bill and to lobby their members of parliament to vote yes to the Bill. As a media-based organization, SLAWIJ also conducted hosts of radio and TV programmes to popularize the Bill. Part of their activities also includes a short documentary of two past female MPs and three current female MPs cutting across the various political parties currently in parliament (All peoples Congress, Sierra Leone Peoples Party and the Coalition for Change Party.)

The Women’s Forum and AMNet are two strategic organizations working with women in remote communities across Sierra Leone through their national structures. Their role in the campaign was to organize community engagements with women, teach them how to lobby their MPs to enact the Bill and also prepare these women to step forward to contest for political positions in their localities. Meetings were in different communities bringing together various stakeholders including local authorities as a way to get their buy-in and break the traditional myth around women contesting for leadership positions.

Technology has greatly impacted the way people communicate and share information. Therefore, the campaign also looked at ways technology can be used to raise awareness not just on the Bill but other issues affecting women and girls. Pixaweb Technologies Limited trained 80 young people, 55 female and 25 male in coding and animation. These young people were formed into a cohort with a registered group that use their skills to develop an animation that promotes women’s rights issues.

Many activists are optimistic that the Bill will be enacted by the House of Parliament. As the public also waits in anxiety for the historic moment that will be the icebreaker for women to lawfully contest for elective positions, many calls have been made to political parties who have in their constitutions stated the 30% women’s representation to uphold that promise.

As the Bill awaits parliamentary second reading, 2023 election that is just around the corner will be the first test case of the new law.

With Funding from OSIWA…   LAB, LEWAF & HRCSL Hold Open Field Legal Education Exhibition in Wellington

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By Amin Kef Sesay

On International Women’s Day ,the Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles called on women to stop suffering in silent by ‘speaking out, speaking loud and speaking clear’ on abuses they are subjected to or when they are not valued by their partners, relatives and others.

She made that call while opening the OSIWA-funded Open Field Legal Education Exhibition organized by the Lady Ellen Women’s Aid Foundation (LEWAF) at the Foamex Field Calaba Town.

Ms. Carlton-Hanciles called on the women to fight for equality, demand respect, contribute to the upkeep of the home, know when a partner mean well and beware of men who come around to exploit pretending they are in love but leave as soon as they have milked them dry.

She said women have committed serious offences such as murdering their husbands because they have refused to speak out when they were abused by these husbands. She said women have defaulted in repayment loans because their male partners have stolen the money and abandoned them to grapple with the consequences.

The Chairperson for the exhibition who doubles as Chair for the Human Rights Commission – Sierra Leone (HRCSL), Ms. Patricia Ndanema speaking on Women Builders seized the moment to recognize two former commissioners of the HRCSL – Justice Jamesina King and Ms. Yasmine Jusu-Sheriff – for their outstanding role in the passage of the Gender Laws which she underlines offer protection for the rights of women.

She praised LEWAF for organizing the Exhibition noting that women suffer abuses due to lack of education and as a result do not make use of the laws. She called on the women to henceforth make use of the laws and noted that HRCSL is always at their disposal should they need help.

The Executive Director of LEWAF, Mohamed Bobor Jalloh said his organization has trained 1,000 women as Community Based Justice Advocates on the Gender Laws for six-months. He said the Community Based Justice Advocates will be helping other women in their respective communities by educating them on the laws to prevent abuses and moreover help those who are abused to seek justice.

The exhibition was climaxed with a skit educating people on how victims of Sexual penetration could contact the police, penalties for relatives attempting to compromise sexual penetration cases, how women who are subjected to domestic violence seek justice, how women can use the law to stop relatives of their deceased husbands from denying them their rights on issues of inheritance in the name of customary law and practice.

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