By Nasratu Kargbo
Liberia’s Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor has called on the government of Sierra Leone to ensure more female representation in all sectors in Sierra Leone.
Addressing the Sierra Leone Parliament during a visit on the 30th June 2022, she said low women's representation in parliament and other sectors is still prevalent. She stated that when the issue of quota for women is mentioned, most men think it is not important and explained her experience in ensuring their electoral laws enforced a 30% minimum women representation of all seats in the Liberian Senate.
She said that quota gave her the opportunity to become a two-time senator, vice president of Liberia, and also presently the President of the Liberian Senate.
She, therefore, called on the men to support women and create the needed space for them in the next election in Sierra Leone.
Speaking on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, and Child Marriage, Taylor said most of the perpetrators of the violence are men and therefore called on men in Sierra Leone and across the continent to speak to others for them to deviate from such acts and see women as God’s special gift.
She mentioned that in both the Quran and Bible there’s the story of how a woman was created, “If the creator says women are needed, who are we as mere mortals?” asked the VP.
Taylor explained that it is her wish and hope that men across the region will refrain from various forms of abuse against women.
She noted that women are part of the development and are created to aid men fast tracking development.
Leader for the Female Caucus in parliament, Veronica Sesay said the Sierra Leone parliament has few but strong women and used the opportunity to appeal to the men to create the platform for women empowerment in decision-making positions.
She expressed appreciation to VP Taylor and asked that she visits the country again.
Coalition for Change (C4C) party Leader, Emerson Saa Lamina said past presidents have been yearning for gender empowerment, and then spoke about the efforts made by President Julius Maada Bio including legislation to ensure that women are represented in elected and non-elective positions.
He appealed to his male folks to be inspired by the statement made by the vice president for them to support women reach higher positions.
Lamina admitted to belonging to a male chauvinistic setting in his home district of Kono where it was considered taboo for women to lead. He said in 2018 they broke that taboo with the party electing its first woman parliamentarian. He said they will work towards having more women in parliament in 2023.
The Leader of the Main Opposition Chernor Maju Bah stated that the VP worked very hard to attain her position and stated that other women will be inspired.
He assured her that they will help women climb to the top. He also stated that as the majority party in parliament, they will ensure women are empowered.
The Leader of Government Business Mathew Nyuma explained that the country’s bad policies and injustice of the past deliberately discriminated against women. He spoke of how the government is taking affirmative action to address gender parity in all sectors.
He said President Julius Maada Bio has provided the platform and asked women in parliament to create the way for other women. Nyuma advised that female MPs work together irrespective of their political affiliations.
The Speaker of Parliament, Chernor Abass Bundu explained the fight against gender-based violence which he claimed has reduced, and mentioned reforms made in that regard. He then explained the composition of the House to the Liberian Vice President. Madam Taylor was in Sierra Leone to attend the 10th African Conference on Sexual Health and Rights.
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