By Ragan Conteh
One of the leading Mobile Companies in Sierra Leone, Africell, on Tuesday 15th October 2019 signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Women (UN Women) on the basis of both organizations to agree to cooperate in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The signing of the MOU ceremony took place at the Africell Customer Care office at Bathurst Street in Central of Freetown.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Africell’s Chief Corporate Affairs Manager, Joe Abass Bangura, disclosed that Africell and UN Women agreed to cooperate in promoting Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Sierra Leone, adding that the MOU signed covers three thematic areas of cooperation.
He said the three thematic areas include advocacy actions on ending violence against women and girls, male engagement in advocacy and actions for gender equality and the empowerment of women, institutional capacity strengthening on gender equality as well as the empowerment of women in Africell as a company.
According to Joe Abass Bangura, Africell’s areas of intervention on the MOU include the establishment of national toll-free line to report sexual and gender based violence cases, hoisting up of billboards carrying “ending violence against women and girls” messages, using Afri Radio for media engagement during the 16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence and beyond.
He continued that Africell will also endeavor the production of joint campaign messages on advocacy materials on ending violence against women and girls including the use of other multi-media and communication initiative to campaign on ending violence against women and girls.
The Chief Corporate Affairs Manager further noted that UN Women will also be working with Africell in revamping the development and management of gender related policies in the company.
He revealed that there is an argument that Africell is the leading sponsor of all things women in Sierra Leone, citing the signature program of the First Lady, Madam Fatima Bio’s “Hands Off Our Girls Campaign to the Well Woman Clinic’s Annual Breast Cancer Campaign, adding that from the annual Women Mean Business Awards to the Power Women 232 Annual Networth Ball, Rozzy’s Education Through Entertainment project to Star Zee’s Yes To Book N Pen Musical and the recently concluded Miss Sierra Leone Beauty Pageant.
He furthered that at a time like this the entire world is in agreement about the need to end all forms of abuse and violence against women, adding that the world over, society is doing more to create a better atmosphere that empowers women.
He said Africell supports all initiatives to get women more involved in national development, more engage in promoting social justice, economic growth and security, leveraging their unique talents and make them strong partners in unlocking and building potentials all across the country.
He asserted that women make up more than half of the planet, adding that to further underscore Africell’s commitment to women’s empowerment, one third of Africell’s company staff are women.
In her statement, United Nations Women Country Representative, Dr. Mary Okumu, expressed thanks and appreciation to Africell for being so proactive in partnering with UN Women to propagate issues affecting women and girls in the country.
She said the agreement between the two organizations is to cooperate in promoting Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Sierra Leone, adding that UN Women is pleased to have such agreement that abolished gender violence in the country.
He said UN Women will cover 16 districts to strengthen institutional accountability and applauded President Bio as “He For She” lead campaigner, adding that the media played critical role in ending gender based violence in the country.
He admonished all to desist from subjecting women and girls into sexual and other related gender based violence.
Africell’s Customer Care Manger, Kippy Sesay, also spoke about the values of the MOU with UN Women, describing UN Women as a dynamic force for women’s empowerment in Sierra Leone.
He cited Rwanda where over 60% of women are in strategic positions, especially in the legislation component of governance in which, she said, Sierra Leone is still fighting for 30% quota where UN Women has played a critical role.