By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL), in an open letter dated 4th August, 2023, bearing the signature of its President, Eastina Taylor, and addressed to His Excellency Brig. Rtd. Dr. Julius Maada Bio, commended the Government for its steadfast commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Highlighting the recent accomplishments, the letter celebrated the election of 41 women to Parliament and the appointment of 20 women as Ministers and Deputy Ministers in the Cabinet. These achievements were hailed as vital steps toward achieving greater gender balance in leadership roles.
The enactment of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act (GEWE) was recognized as a landmark moment in Sierra Leone’s journey towards inclusivity and equality. The Government’s dedication to effectively implementing the Act by ensuring women’s representation in key Governmental positions was applauded, signaling progress in the right direction.
While recognizing these milestones, WIMSAL also emphasized the importance of extending gender diversity beyond numerical quotas. The letter urged proactive measures to empower women and promote their participation in decision-making roles across various sectors, including the civil service, Government Boards, Committees, Commissions as well as within the Security Sector.
The call for gender diversity was further extended to the realm of entrepreneurship and finance. WIMSAL urged financial institutions, including the Bank of Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Finance, to ensure equal access to financial services and credit facilities for women entrepreneurs and business owners. This move, the organization believes, would contribute to economic growth and create more opportunities for women in the country.
To ensure the continuation of progress, the letter requested active monitoring and auditing of institutions’ compliance with gender equality policies. This, they claimed, would help sustain the gains achieved and pave the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future.
WIMSAL’s open letter underscored its commitment to supporting women in executing their mandates and holding them accountable, when necessary, for the betterment of Sierra Leone.
The Government’s dedication to gender equality and women’s empowerment was commended as an inspiration to the nation. The letter concluded by expressing optimism that through continued collaboration, Sierra Leone can create a society that values diversity, inclusivity, and the full engagement of all citizens.
