Precisely four days after the first lady- Sia Koroma damned, violence against female contestants of the local government elections, at the Victoria Park the Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) is intending to meet on the issue. CGG has however expressed concern with the constant reports of intimidation meted out to female candidates denying them space for participation.
CGG’s National Coordinator Valnora Edwin has signed a letter summoning a round table discussion on creating conducive political atmosphere for equal representation and participation for the 2008 local council elections.
The letter stated that “we uphold the view that democratic processes should be inclusive, transparent and fair and an enabling environment be created for all to participate freely.
The objective of the discussion is to dialogue on the way forward, and encourage stakeholders to make commitments to ensure a level playing field for the electoral process.” In her keynote address at the national programme launch of the ‘Ep bil salone wit uman dem’ has strongly voiced out that she promised to set example with the first reported perpetrator report on victimizing female contestants. The first lady said like Esther in the Bible who fought against the persecution of the Jews, she is ready to fight for the “liberation and emancipation of women.” Quoting the Bible further, Mrs Koroma said, “women are wonderful and fearfully made,” adding that they [women] are an important part of the equation.”
“The future development of this country is in our hands,” she stressed.
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