By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
The Vice President (VP) of the Republic of Liberia, Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor has urged members of the Fullah Progressive Union (FPU) to educate their daughters so they could become meaningful in society.
At a meeting held at FPU’s Freetown Office, the VP said people are now aware of what it means to train and educate a daughter so she could become a partner in development. She hoped that the Fathers belonging to FPU executive will agree that if someone has a daughter who is empowered, she never forgets her parents.
‘’So, when you educate your daughter she will become your insurance policy for old age,’’ she said.
She said she envies the Fullah Community across the world because of the unity they have, caring for each other when in need. She vowed to do whatever it takes to help support the FPU in promoting girl-child education, which she said is critical in any society that wants to develop.
‘’I was very pleased with one of your members in Parliament, MP Chernor R.M Bah who is representing you very well there. I believe that his presence there is very strategic and you will be proud of him being one of yours,’’ she said.
Dr. Taylor mentioned the Gender Equity bill that President Julius Maada Bio has submitted to Parliament and noted how important it will be for women to get the required representation they deserve not just in Parliament but in other governance sectors. She said there is every need for more women to be in Parliament because they will be the best people to articulate their issues more.
The National President of FPU, Alhaji Umaru Sanu cited the developmental strides he has done after he was elected President of the Union. He said the headquarters building is part of the Union’s development agenda
‘’This facility has been extended to all the regions of Sierra Leone. The purpose of this office is to host the official functions of our organization and other friendly organizations in the country,’’ he said.
He noted that they have invested in early childhood development across four districts in the country and have also provided support to students at tertiary institutions across the country, the majority being female students. He added that they are at an advanced stage after having launched livelihood support for women in deprived communities across the country.
The FPU President stated that it was worth noting that the union’s funding has come from the goodwill of their executive members who have worked tirelessly even in the midst of COVID restrictions to make sure they achieve their obligations.
One of the beneficiaries of the FPU Scholarship Scheme, Fatima Bah, a Communication student at Limkokwing University and a member of an affiliate organization to FPU, expressed gratitude for being able to witness discussions on empowering women, which she said is of the essence. She said it is a norm that when women are empowered, tremendous developments happen in a country.
She noted that women have political and psychological empowerment which she said are the key elements and thanked FPU for the tremendous work they have done in ensuring that women are empowered.
She noted that notwithstanding that percentage, women are still continued to be marginalized and excluded from leadership roles in society.
‘’So we think it is high time for women to come on board and get more seats in parliament and that they are recruited in bigger offices around the country,’’ she concluded.
The FPU was founded in the early 80s to unite members of the Fullah community in Sierra Leone, and address their welfare for effective contribution to national development.
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