By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
And so, it ends - women’s right campaigners, gender activists, social workers, politicians and female MPs punching the air, sending high fives and sharing hugs. All in celebration of a significant achievement: the passing into law of the amended Sexual Offences Act. It had been four months in the making. The celebrations are worth it.
Like every other piece of legislation, passing this law involved lobbying, campaigning and cumbersome bureaucratic processes. At the end of it all, the President of the all-female lawyers group known as L.A.W.Y.E.R.S (Legal Access through Women Yearning for Equality Rights and Social Justice) was too exhausted to even grant an interview. A jaded Fatmata Sorie only said: “I am too tired”. But she managed to gather some of her strength to give some thoughts on the new law. Fatmata’s organization has been one of the key players in getting the bill through.
She told me that this new law was stronger because it took into consideration everyone’s concerns.
But that was not the most striking thing she said. As Parliament was emptying out, some MPs were congratulating her for her effort in pushing the law through. One male MP said: “Women must be happy today for passing this through,” and Fatmata replied, “Yes! We worked for this.”
Briefly after, Fatmata said: “Child marriage is next”. In a crowded lobby in Parliament, I am not sure whether the MP in question heard that. But this statement was strong.
Her statement was a sign that women are here. It shows they are tired of standing out of the door waiting to have a look inside, counting on men to push their agenda. Women are now pushing laws to protect themselves. The passing of the amended Sexual Offences Act of 2019 just opened the floodgate for women empowerment.
Behind this bill was significant women’s power: the firebrand lawyer Yasmine Jusu Sheriff, the former House Minority Leader Dr Bernadette Lahai, defense attorney Nicky Spencer Coker of the gender rights group Power 232 and the gender parity group 50/50.
These were backed up by organisations with significant influence of women: the Human Rights Commission, Purposeful Production, LAWYERS, the list goes on. The Parliamentary Legislative Committee and the Women’s Caucus in Parliament were also instrumental in pulling this off.
The amendment as it happened
This law was borne out of the great appetite for action considering the spate of rape and other sexual violence offences across the country. The declaration of the menace as a national emergency by President Julius Maada Bio early this year was what triggered this process. And the women swooped it and hammered home their long-term desire for a strong legislation; taking advantage of a ripe political climate in their favour.
You must note that the debate on this bill was thorough, devoid of any party sentiments.
Firstly, this is so because no party wants to be seen going against women. It is bad for optics, considering 52% of the country’s population are women.
Secondly, because crimes like rape and other related offences happen everywhere, there was a collective effort from across the aisle to see this law through.
There were moments in this debate when Sierra Leone People’s Party MPs would disagree with each other on details.
In a certain case, there was an MP who was advocating for men who would be falsely accused to be paid compensation once they were acquitted by the courts. The Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Umaru Napoleon Koroma had to deny that request by saying: “No, it will be too much of a burden on the state.”
Chair of the Legislative Committee, Hindolo Gevao also added his bit by saying: “By adding such portions in this act we will have presumed the victim is lying even before the matter gets to court.”
Such was the spirit of the debate!
The one real spark that threatened to derail all that critical debate was the sad comment that came from the All People Congress’ wing of the house, when someone shouted “Shut up, You are talking rubbish!”
It was a male voice and it was directed at a female MP, Rebecca Yei Kamara. Kamara was up making her point and criticizing Paramount Chief MP, Bai Koor Kanagbaro Sanka III, who was against the idea of sending child perpetrators to jail when they are of age.
That comment from the anonymous MP highlighted the chauvinism around politics in this country. It was also a stark reminder of why more than ever women have to stand up now for each other and do their own bidding themselves.
Despite Kamara being a member of the Coalition for Change (C4C), women from all parties raised their voice in unison in her defence.
Opening the new package
This bill will not only protect women and girls, it will also protect boys who are being exposed to sex at a very early age through the dark carnal desires of older women; some of them are relatives, neighbours, and in some cases employees.
However, in Sierra Leone, pieces of legislation like this will protect women more. And the reason for this is obvious: women are more likely to be on the receiving end.
Sexual solicitation is in the spotlight now. Imagine female students, employees and other women and girls now have the power to sue men who are constantly harassing them for sex simply because the men are in authority. The power dynamics between men and women are about to change forever in this country. Men also have the power to sue but, in most cases, women are on the receiving end.
Perhaps the most striking thing that has been included in this new law is the fact that people who are used to settling rape and other sexual offence cases behind closed doors can now be fined Le10million or go to jail. The effect of this will be most felt in rural areas. More people will come forward now in those places, more cases can now be prosecuted, and more perpetrators will get what they deserve – punishment. This new law will deter and punish, that’s a major game changer.
So, what now?
In the coming weeks and months, the focus will now be on selling this new law to everyone; parents and perverts. The awareness must go around.
Whiles doing so, we must all be prepared; the wind is in the sail of women. So, don’t be surprised when women campaigners show up at Tower Hill later this year with a proposal against Child Marriage, as Fatmata hinted.
If they can manage a huge consensus, they might even propose one against FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) or restart the debate on legalizing abortion. These are all real things that our society has been discussing for a while now. The women must now stir up these discussions to concrete actions like making laws.
For a society that is deeply patriarchal like ours, we will struggle with a full-blown women’s empowerment deal. Women might not have the next law-making process this easy (even when this one wasn’t that easy). They will face resistance, not only from men but also other women. This is mostly because this country is still shackled by the tight grip of traditionalism.
Well, the women are here with saws to break those chains. Who will dare resist?
© 2019 Politico Online
