30% is the recommended quota for the allocation of positions of trust and responsibility to women. The allocation cuts across various fields of human endeavours, including politics, economics, executive, judiciary and Parliament, among others. Courtesy of the Truth and Recommendation (TRC) Report for Sierra Leone.
The allocation recommended by the TRC, if accepted, empowers women as it creates a smooth platform where women showcase their talents within the context of nation building. The TRC report, by all indications, couples national stakeholders to integrate women into the nuclei of all decision making processes for national development. This is feasible only when educational opportunities are opened to them since knowledge is power.
Academics have added weight to the preponderance of education as they argue that “no nation can rise beyond the limits of its education”.
“Sierra Leone needs a critical mass of women engineers, doctors, lawyers and other professionals to lift this nation from underdevelopment and poverty,” says former vice chancellor and principal of the University of Sierra Leone, Professor Ekundayo Thompson.
He made this statement at a certification ceremony of medical personnel at the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) at Kossoh Town, Western Area.
Research papers presented in seminars and symposia, discussions in both conventional and social media platforms, submissions of civil society activities, lectures in University walls and sayings and adages of academics have bolstered the 30% TRC recommendation. These arguments are tied into the notion that women can increase their relevance to the nation if they participate in its developments. Adherence to the 30% quota would also lift women from the bottom to the mid rungs of society’s ladder. It would recover them from a state of dependency to independence, from a downtrodden mass to a critically development oriented mass.
It’s no gain saying that the demeaning nature in which women have remained from time immemorial, justifies men’s aggressive and brutality to them. Women’s low status nature has rendered them valusa—in the hands of men. The menfolk have always viewed women as foot stools and slaves to be kept at home. This notion of inferiority of women has prevailed among men for many years.
As this notion continued the country witnessed its naked showcase during the war period, as women were subjected to all forms of brutality and degrading treatment by disorganized bands of fighters.
During the conflict, women were enslaved, amputated and tortured. Pregnant women were not spared as their bowels were butchered alive a since the rebel thugs placed a bet on the sex or the child in the belly. Thus, the Special Court for Sierra Leone, an adhoc inter tribunal set up to prosecute Sierra Leone’s warning groups was of the firm corruption that the women suffered abuses and violations ever recorded in human history. The conviction held by this international tribunal prominently featured in the summary or the evidence offered by then tribunal’s prosecution team.
THE CAMPAIGN NOW
The 30% Quota TRC recommendation has become a constant source of reference in gender equality discourse. The 50-50 group, an organization founded by an influential Sierra Leonean figure, Dr. Nemata Majeks Walker, has done its part in its advocacy for women empowerment. Over the years, this organization has demonstrated keen interest in engaging national stakeholders on the importance of women inclusion in national affairs.
The United Nations Women (UNW) is also another potent institution that is currently championing the case of women empowerment in Sierra Leone. UNW, a member of the UN Family in Sierra Leone, having its head as Mary Okumo, has raised awareness among the public on women issues. The institution has, several times, organized meetings, seminars and others for a frank discussion of challenges women face and solutions to overcome them.
In several women’s day celebration, which falls on March 8 every year, UNW has utilized its presence in Sierra Leone to galvanize other institutions to come on board to make the celebrations success stories.
Also joining the bandwagon in the fight for women empowerment is the Media Matters for Women (MMW). As the name implies, MMW provides voice for voiceless women. Valuable information relating to women’s health and other challenges is provided by the agency. MMW is struggling to seal the information gap that has placed women in the disempowerment syndrome and poverty trap.
Both local and international non-governmental organizations have made their voices heaRd in the 30% campaign. Apart from this effort, the government of Sierra Leone have also made assurances about women empowerment. On March 8 this year, President Julius Maada Bio promised the nation of women empowerment with education being the key instrument.
Between 29th March and 1st April this year, H.E. Fatima Bio was in attendance at Merk Foundation First Ladies initiative summit in Dubai, UAE, to map strategies in reducing stigmatization of infertile women and empower them. As the fight for women empowerment continues, many have described it as a drop in the ocean.
REFLECTING ON THE 30% CAMPAIGN ACHIEVEMENT
Great effort has been demonstrated by women groups in the campaign for the 30% quota. They have endured the heat of the day and the chill of the might to make the 30% a reality in Sierra Leone. They have come a long way and the country has to some extent benefited as a result of their sacrifices, but the country says much has to be done.
The reality on the gerund is showing little results. Few women almost an infinitesimal minority can be seen in critical areas of development. Many women are still in the kitchens and market stalls and in the homes choosing women’s chores.
A greater percentage of women are not au fait with the concept of gender equality and therefore do not participate in women empowerment discussion.
Moyiba told Nightwatch that gender equality discussions are meant for wealthy women and not for them.
Rebecca Dumbuya at Mamba Ridge
Rebecca explained that though they have heard something about gender equality, she has never participated in it because she is poor. She made reference to the March 8 women’s day celebration, which she describes as rich women dressed well and go to the streets with their children and celebrates, Rebecca said.
Explaining a similar story is Aminata Fornah who told nightwartch that she knew nothing about women empowerment. She told Nightwatch that she is uneducated and therefore cannot take part in such discussion. “What I know is to eat and sit at home,” she explains with a smile.
Kadiatu Samura, who has attempted her WASSCE, explains the “gist of women empowerment and the 30% quota. She came from the anti-violence angle. She told Nightwatch that women are not meant to be brutalized and treated as slaves.
These instances indicate that a great majority of women are excluded from the gender empowerment struggle.
However, former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, has once said, “There is no tool more effective for national development than women empowerment”.
But another activist said, “Empowerment should not come from within the womenfolk”.