By zainab.joaque@awokonewspaper.sl
Washington DC, USA – Commissioner General Jeneba J. Bangura has shed light on the persistent hurdles in achieving gender equality, emphasizing the stumbling block of ineffective policy implementation not only in Sierra Leone but also across the continent. Speaking at a panel on Promoting Inclusive Growth and Gender Equality during the International Monetary Fund (IMF) World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC on Thursday, Bangura outlined the challenges faced in translating laws and policies into tangible progress for women’s rights.
Bangura emphasized that while there exists a plethora of laws and policies aimed at safeguarding women’s rights, their implementation remains arduous. She stressed that significant strides towards gender equality can only be made through rigorous implementation and mainstreaming of gender considerations, all while grappling with entrenched cultural barriers and the imperative of ensuring women’s representation in decision-making processes.
Highlighting key legislations such as the Devolution of Estates Act of 2007 and the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act (GEWE) of 2022, Bangura underscored their role in ensuring fair representation and opportunities for women. These laws mandate provisions for surviving spouses and reserve 30 percent of jobs in both public and private sectors for women, respectively.
In particular, Bangura addressed the critical importance of education for girls, citing initiatives like the Radical Inclusion Policy and Free Quality School Education in Sierra Leone. She noted that combating prevalent issues like early marriage requires concerted efforts to keep girls in school, thereby enabling their empowerment and breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality.
The Medium Term National Development Plan 2024-2026, Bangura pointed out, places strong emphasis on gender equality and women’s empowerment, aligning them with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number five. She emphasized that achieving these goals is pivotal for the advancement of Sierra Leone and the creation of a more inclusive and prosperous future.
In his opening remarks, Moderator Rishi Goyal, IMF Senior Advisor on Gender and Deputy Director, Strategy Policy & Review Department, underscored the macroeconomic significance of gender equality. He highlighted the potential of closing gender gaps to significantly boost GDP and mitigate the economic fallout from global crises such as the ongoing pandemic.
Joining Bangura on the panel were esteemed dignitaries including Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development of Egypt, and Mohamad Al-Ississ, Minister of Finance of Jordan, underscoring the global importance and collaborative efforts needed to address gender disparities.
The discourse led by Commissioner General Bangura underscores the urgent need for concerted action to bridge the gap between policy intent and implementation, ensuring that gender equality becomes a tangible reality both in Sierra Leone and beyond. ZIJ/19/4/2024