The African traditional and cultural setting, dictates a very limited space and voice for women in governance.
It has for the most part, been a man’s world where command and control squarely lies in the purview of the male folk.
Modern governance and human rights trends however, point to the kind of equity that places men and women at par, working alongside for the general development of mankind. Just have a keen look, if we are struggling with the health of our children, women should play a very vital role.
If our children’s education is compromised, we need a lot of input from women to bring it back on track. It is therefore very correct when they say that women’s empowerment is very critical to child survival. Governments past and present have manifested efforts towards getting in governance and other vital spheres in life. However, these efforts are yet to match with the modern day trends and thinking. Now we are facing another election. From the onset, we do blame part of the little women’s participation on women themselves, since we know they hardly vote for themselves because if they do things would have been much improved for them in the area of governance. Be that as it may, what do the two main parties have in stock for women’s empowerment especially in governance?
The SLPP tells us that women account for 51% of the population of Sierra Leone. They believe that the economic, social, cultural and political status of women in society has been identified as a major determinant of the poverty status of a country. They also say that the recognition of women’s role and their empowerment is critical to poverty reduction at the household level and to the overall development of the nation. On the other hand the APC lays claims to have committed itself to the protection and promotion of women’s rights.
They say that in a bid to enhance gender equality, the Government has established focal points not just in Ministries, but at local government level as well. The Gender Acts of 2007, designed to improve the legal status of women in Sierra Leone, have greatly enhanced women’s rights and promoted gender equality. Currently women head the judiciary, the National Electoral Commission, the National Revenue Authority, Sierra Leone Road Transport Authority, the Audit Department and the Army can boast of having its first female Brigadier. Women have also been appointed Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Ambassadors.
Interestingly, the two parties by the time of the end of their terms, left at least one major thing unflawed up. These were, not giving a systemic relevance to the statutory instrument they had done and not giving a legal foundation to the 30 % Quota for women. These two by the two parties respectively in hindsight casts a shadow. So now a new deal is expected. What is this new deal? Let the two parties tell us, so that we can stop taking two steps forward and three steps backward. What will they do positively differently, if voted into power? APC tells us that in the last five years, the government has implemented reforms that seek to reduce gender inequalities and improve the status of women. Foremost among these is the implementation of the Gender Acts of 2007, which made into law the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW. What we need to know is that enacting laws alone may not move us forward, if those laws are not adhered to. One major challenge we currently have, is lawlessness as our laws are compromised, sometimes even by those supposed to be their custodians.
For the SLPP, they promised to promote women in agriculture through direct support to them for large scale farming and agro-processing activities; providing market information about local and export markets and facilitate the exporting of farm products; providing improved facilities for fish processing and poultry, and promoting female access to land and other Strategic resources.
Sierra Leone has in the past, poured a lot of money in the agriculture sector. Yet, we are to see an alignment with the gains in a cost effective way. Among other things the SLPP is saying, are that they will enhance female access to modern energy by investing in rural electrification, clean cooking fuel and household energy needs. Provide opportunities for women to pursue non-traditional subjects such as engineering, mathematics, sciences and medicine.
A new area proposed by the SLPP is the establishment of the National Commission for Gender affairs to develop; monitor, coordinate and support the implementation of gender Laws and policies. They say they will also Increase the chances of women in politics through: amending the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone with a view to increasing the chances of women to participate in politics. They propose to review and enact the minimum 30% Quota Bill which creates the chance for women to hold 30% of positions in elective office and appointment positions.
Promote women in agriculture, through direct support to them for large scale farming and agro-processing activities; providing market information about local and export markets and facilitate the exporting of farm products; providing improved facilities for fish processing and poultry, and promoting female access to land and other strategic resources. Enhance female access to modern energy by investing in rural electrification, clean cooking fuel and household energy needs. Provide opportunities for women to pursue non-traditional subjects such as engineering, mathematics, sciences and medicine.
Establish a National Commission for Gender Affairs to develop, coordinate, monitor and support the implementation of gender laws and policies. Improve expertise in the field of gender by supporting training programmes for gender in institutions. Increase the chances of women in politics through amending the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone with a view to increasing the chances of women to participate in politics. Reviewing and enacting the minimum 30% Quota Bill which creates the chance for women to hold 30% of positions in elective office and appointment positions.
As we can see, there are not so much of divergence between the two leading parties when it comes to the empowerment of women, which ever wins may complement what had already been accomplished. In Sierra Leone we have quite a lot of traditional and cultural trappings around women’s empowerment especially in the north and parts of the east where patriarchal dominance prevails.
One, the areas that the two parties have not clearly talked about are citizenship, although the SLPP talks about changing the constitution. Talking about changing the constitution, Kenya has adopted a new constitution which decentralizes the powers of the President which they hope will democratize their countries governance. As we march on to Saturday, we should see how women can move on in this country. The women of this country deserve more than their present deal. Things are moving but we need much more. One factor to watch when it comes to women in governance is the Paramount chieftaincy. We need to clear the shackles of male chauvinism. Women should be allowed to run for paramount chieftai
By Ben Cambayma
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