As part of the campaign for the enactment of the Gender Empowerment Bill 2021, the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs in partnership with SLAWIJ conducted a one-day training for female journalists and media influencers in Freetown. Participants were drawn from all sixteen districts of the country. The thrust of the training was to take the journalists and media influencers through the content of the Bill so they will be well equipped to share information with their audiences.
According to the Director of Gender in the Ministry, Charles Vandi, the 30% quota for women in governance and leadership positions came from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission “30 percent representation of women in elected assemblies, cabinets and other political posts, to increase to 50/50 gender parity within the next 10 years.”
He said the Gender Empowerment Bill if passed in Parliament will address both economic and political empowerment of women— minimum 30% political representation through reserve constituencies for only women candidates, minimum 30% appointive positions, Access to Finance and Gender Mainstreaming across all sectors.
The Vice-President for Women’s Forum Cecilia Bangura noted that women have been calling on successive governments for 30% female representations in politics, but this was never fruitful. She said her organisation will again throw their support to the new Bill.
Sahr Kendema, Program Manager Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) said as a strong partner in the campaign, CCG has held consultations with key stakeholders on the Bill across the country and these, he said gave their support including local authorities.
SLAWIJ’s Executive President, Millicent Kargbo said the media plays an important role in the promotion of gender equality, both within the working environment— in terms of employment and promotion of female staff at all levels and the representation of women and men for fair gender portrayal. She encouraged all to devote maximum attention to the training and to let the knowledge reflect in their reports of the Gender Empowerment Bill 2021.