By Hajaratu Kalokoh
The women’s right group 50-50 has launched a project in three districts across the country designed to empower women in politics. The project, which was launched in Kenema, Kambia and Tonkolili, is called ‘Beyond Politics of Men: Empowering Women to be Effective Political Actors in Sierra Leone.’
The idea is to encourage the participation of more women in politics ahead of the next general elections in 2023. The project is done with the collaboration of Search for Common Ground and sponsored by the European Union.
President of 50-50, Dr. Fatou Taqi noted during the launch of the project last week that it is in preparation for the next elections and beyond; how they see the role women and men play.
"The project is a preparation for the next election for 2023 and beyond and how we see the role that women play and men as well. How men support women to play these roles, so that we see an equitable distribution in terms of representation, in terms of women at the forefront, in terms of women making decision for Sierra Leone,” she said.
"(We are) hoping to be able to have a concerted and collaborative work to see Sierra Leone where we want Sierra Leone to be," Mrs. Taqi added.
Parts of the overall objective of the project is to improve the capacity and confidence of women to enable them participate actively in politics, as well as to reinforced the long held view that there is a need for dedicated long term support to enhance women’s political participation and also by supporting political parties to reform their policies and change their norms.
The European Union Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Tom Vens, who launched the project, said it is important for women to have a proportionate representation in the democratic space of the country.
“Today, unfortunately the Parliament of Sierra Leone does not represent equally the views of the men and the women of the nation. It cannot. Numbers are not on its side. As we look at these figures, we shall remember that it is not about numbers but about proportionality and representation. It is about democracy that encompasses all people,’’ Vens said
Ambassador Vens also added that the European Union Observer Mission (EOM) during the 2018 elections in Sierra Leone identified the need to push for more women to be included in decision making process.
“That is how this partnership with 50-50 came to be established, as a direct response to a very strong EOM recommendation to strengthen our support to CSOs on promoting women in politics, have communication strategies specifically in women and participation in politics as a fundamental right, and promoting women’s participation during all stages of the electoral process,’’ he said.
According to the last census in 2015, women represents about 51 % of the country’s population. However, only a small percentage of this number is represented in political leadership positions.
Currently, just 12.3% of the Parliamentarians in the country are women. Only 15% occupy local council seats. This poor record ranks Sierra Leone as one of the countries with the lowest percentage of elected female politicians; 144 out of 192 countries.
Country Director of Search for Common Ground, Joseph Jihny Sankaituah, said women must take the lead to change their own story in terms of politics. He said women must stand up and compete for political positions.
“It is about time all of you start to ask yourself what type of Sierra Leone we want. And if you try to find answers to this, you might challenge yourself to step forward. Bear in mind that there is no vacancy in the governance process of Sierra Leone or the state. If you don’t stand up to compete someone will stand up and defeat. So those of you who have what it takes to provide leadership both at the community level and the parliament level try to challenge yourself, let’s not leave politics to men alone,’’ he added.
Over the coming months, the project will train women who aspire to go into Politics with the necessary skills that are needed to succeed.
© 2019 Politico Online
