By Bampia James Bundu
The Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) has engaged the All Political Parties Women Association (APPWA) on a two-day constitutional review exercise, held in Bo for APPWA members in the southern and eastern regions.
Commissioner Alhaji Muctarr William of the PPRC encouraged political parties to work on a gender policy that would be included in their individual parties’ constitutions. That, he said, would enable them to be at the helm of decision making process.
The conference was actually held on the ongoing review of the Sierra Leone 1991 Constitution.
Chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC), Justice Edmond Cowan, challenged the women to serve as ambassador in disseminating the information they have learnt during the two day sessions, and also endeavor to sensitize other women at village and community levels.
Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr. Bernadette Lahai, who served as lead facilitator in the sessions, applauded the women for their contributions. She said not all of their recommendations would be captured into the amended constitution as there were existing laws that needed to be strengthened. She reiterated that the 30% quota for women in decision making processes and governance must be seriously considered into the constitution and that PPRC must be empowered to ensure that political parties create a level playing platform for women to contribute towards this.
The recommendations generated from the discussions by various groups during the workshop included calls for free and compulsory education for all, and suggested penalties for violators; the establishment of a national youth service scheme, social protection for women, emergency medical care, and a policy for the construction of low cost housing for low income earners.
It was also resolved that the caption for Sections 27 in the 1991 Constitution should be changed to Equality and Protection against Discrimination. Also recommended was that under the section on discrimination, pregnancy, marital status, health status, age, disability, conscience, language or birth should be added.
The State shall also take legislative and other measures, including affirmative action programmes and policies designed to redress any disadvantage suffered by individuals or groups because of discrimination, the women also demanded.
© Politico 23/04/15
