March 27, 2017 By Regina Pratt
1st lady- Mrs. Sia Koroma concerned about women
The first lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Mrs. Sia Nyama Koroma, has stated that African women have for a long time been suffering severe human rights abuses both in private and public spheres.
Madam Koroma was speaking on Wednesday March 22, 2017 during the opening ceremony of a three-day workshop on the status reporting under the optional protocol of the African charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Human rights of Women in Africa-the Maputo Protocol.
“For far too long now that African women have been suffering severe human rights abuses both in private and public sphere”, she said, adding that they have been denied of inheritance rights and excluded from participating in the governance of their respective countries.
She said the protocol stands as a comprehensive instrument that demonstrates the good will of African states and ends all forms of discrimination, gender based and violence against women
Madam Koroma disclosed that the Sierra Leone Parliament ratified the protocol on the 2nd July, 2015, with the belief that its articles were already enshrined in the 1991 Constitution and pillars 6 and 8 of the Agenda for Prosperity.
“Too many women and young girls are still suffering for lack of proper information and knowledge of their rights,” she said.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation ll, Mrs. Isata Kabia, noted in her keynote address that government needed to support women’s empowerment, adding that they should be champions, while men should be with them to move their agenda forward.
The minister said government was committed to supporting the rights of women as stated in the protocol.
She said Sierra Leone was the last out of the 37 countries to ratify the protocol, thus stating that the training was very important in achieving the goals of the protocol.
“The men have to do more in promoting women in achieving leadership roles,” she said.
Chief Justice Abdulai Hamid Charm, said the protocol has elaborate provisions which covered conceivable rights and freedoms that women folk sought, stating the protocol was a very comprehensive document that would lead to the total emancipation of women in Africa.
“With respect to the Domestic violence Act 2007 and the Sexual Offences Act 2012, the judiciary has always put premium on issues dealing with the abuse of women and girls in ensuring that such matters are tried speedily and decisively,” he said.
He said Sierra Leone has made tremendous strides in the area of protecting and promoting human rights, particularly women and children’s right.