By Prince J Musa in Kenema
The Local Council Association of Sierra Leone (LOCASO) with support from donor partners has conducted a day’s training for women hoping to run in the local council election in the Eastern region.
President of LOCASO and former Chairman of Bo District Council, Joseph Munda Bindi said the training was to motivate female aspirants after they have over the years discovered the number of women at local councils as Councilors, Mayors and Chairpersons was low. He added that only 17% women were fortunate to go into the councils across the country following the 2012 elections.
“We want to increase the number of female councilors in local councils,’’ he said.
The LOCASO President spoke of how in 2018, only 18% of women made it into the council as councilors. He noted that as an organization they want to change that narrative especially so when President Julius Maada Bio has passed into law the gender equality and empowerment Act of 2022 with a 30% quota for women in public and elective positions.
He added that it is against that backdrop that LOCASO remains supportive of the government’s agenda to ensure that the 30% quota is achievable.
Bindi pointed out that this is the first time an association is undertaking such a venture across the country to give hope and confidence to women. He said the 22 local councils in the country should have 493 councilors nationwide and that they are expecting 148 of those councilors to be women.
He said the association will be working with all political parties contesting to give more symbols to women so that their percentage in the local council will attain the 30% quota needed.
Former Deputy Chairperson of Kailahun District Council, Doris B. Momoh described the engagement as significant for them as female candidates especially for those aspiring for the first time and commended LOCASO for providing such training.
She highlighted some of the characteristics a woman should possess when contesting for council positions such as humbleness, caring for the people and respect for authorities. She said women have experienced a lot of challenges in politics but said the people also expect much from them.
Former Councilor of Kenema City Council, Haja Abibatu Farma referred to the session as timely for new aspirants and therefore encouraged colleague aspirants to be resilient and go for any position they desire. She called on other women to support their colleagues.
The training was conducted at the District Council Hall Nyandeyama Road in Kenema on the 12th April, 2023.
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