By Politico staff writer
A coalition of Civil Society Organizations working on local governance, citizens participation, inclusiveness and gender responsive public services including the European Union Consortium members, have called on the government of Sierra Leone to provide more funding support to the gender responsive service delivery.
The call is part of many recommendations developed by the CSOs on improving Gender Responsive Service Delivery across the country at a two day conference held in Freetown from 19th to 20th May 2021 during which the citizens report was also launched.
Speaking at the event, Emerson Lamina, Member of Parliament for Coalition for Change (C4C) party said the meeting was important and timely noting“it is when leaders, administrators, policy makers hear from those whom their policies are aimed at would they be able to properly plan and execute such policy programs with the full participation and cooperation of the beneficiaries,”.
The chairperson of the event, Valnora Edwin in her statement said she was hopeful that the initiative implemented with the support of the EU, does not stop at the end of the project cycle, noting that it must be owned by the councils and all local authorities.
Executive Director CCYA, Abigail Stevens thanked the EU and partners for their support and also stated that the score card will help communities hold the authorities and duties bearers accountable.
“The good part of the score card process is that it provides the mechanism for the community to engage with their local authorities and duties bearers and hold them accountable,” she said.
She assured that they will continue to work with partners to support local authorities and develop local policies on gender responsive public services and its popularization.
Speaking on behalf of Action Aid Executive Director, Mohamed Fofanah assured the EU that the sustainability term of the project will be complimented by their annual programme plans for continued engagement.
“We are pretty sure that our CSOs are more active in strengthening capacity to engage powers that be, constructively. We are of the opinion that local council authorities are inclusive, participatory and gender responsive,” he said
Valentino Favero, representing the EU Ambassador said accountability, inclusiveness in decision making and community participation in local governments are key in local developments.
She added that the role of civil society is important to guide communities, righst holders on awareness about their rights. He said local councils have been lacking the necessary funds to provide the services that the communities are demanding which he said was not easy for them since they do not have the means to support the needs of the communities.
She spoke about how the EU is currently supporting 11 councils and some CSOs to improve on the service delivery to the people.
Abubakar Kamara, representing People with disabilities at the event appealed to individuals and Organizations present to make sure that they include disability issues in whatever they are doing or advocating for.
Part of the recommendations reached was for the EU and the government of Sierra Leone to increase and continue funding for effective delivery in Agriculture, Education, women and girls, health and to monitor all the process.
It was also recommended that government should avoid any form of privatization of responsive public services in the country and to ensure that these services are equitably distributed and reach the farthest part of the country.
The conference brought together representatives from Ministries Department and Agencies, local authorities, CSOs and development partners.
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