By: Mohamed Sannoh - Strategic Communications Unit - MIC
Thursday 17th November, 2022 - Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Fourth Floor, Youyi Building, Freetown
Sierra Leone's Minister of Gender and Children's Affairs has said that the Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Law is a manifesto fulfilment of His Excellency the President, Rtd. Brg. Julius Maada Bio. Madam Manty Tarawallie was speaking during the weekly government press briefing which was hosted at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, 4th floor at Youyi Building in Freetown.
The Minister said that it was obvious that there were issues of gender imbalances across Sierra Leone and at all levels, and stressed that addressing same is one of the thrusts of the milestone achievement. She added that attaining a 30% quota of women's representation at various levels is a major focus of the new Act.
The Gender Minister revealed that the new Law which came into being on Tuesday 15th November, 2022 has now placed Sierra Leone with top other nations in Africa and across the globe in the promotion of women's issues. She advanced that Sierra Leone should welcome this new law and initiative and urged that its effective and efficient implementation will be a step in the right direction.
Madam Manty noted that the Government of President Bio has always prioritized issues of women and girls and stated that it is now the responsibility of all women to make a good usage of the law and to see that they are able to advance and progress at various levels.
Earlier, Sierra Leone's Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Hon. Solomon Jamiru Esq stated that the Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Act 2022 is a step in the right direction. He stated how the Ministry of Gender and Children's Affairs has assiduously worked with partners and sections of various ministries, departments and agencies to see that the law is enacted. He said that there was now need for massive sensitization on the new law so that people will continue to understand its virtues in day to day Sierra Leone.