April 16, 2016 By Ibrahim Tarawallie
CARL’s executive director Ibrahim Tommy
The Executive Director of Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL) has expressed hope for fair representation of women not only in President Julius Maada Bio’s cabinet, but across all other positions in government.
On Wednesday, April 11, President Bio announced the first set of cabinet ministers to run the affairs of the state in his new dispensation, with only two women appointed as ministers.
Women have been clamouring over the years for a 30% representation in government and other institutions, with many, including the 50/50 Group, hopeful that more women would be appointed in the remaining ministries and other governance positions.
In an interview with Concord Times after the release of the list published so far with only two women, Ibrahim Tommy said it is too early for a conclusive statement as to what the complexion of the new government would look like in terms of female represention.
“It is not just about women in cabinet but women across all positions in the government, including ambassadors. It is early days for us to make any conclusions on what it is going to look like. It is not like a one-off thing,” said Tommy.
He, however, expressed hope that at the end of the day the gender composition of the new government would be a fair representation of women because they have been campaigning for 30% representation across the board.
He urged for patience until the full cabinet list is announced.
“We are not going to make a conclusive statement yet, but however, I hope that when the full list is out we will have a very good representation of women,” he added.
However, President of the 50/50 Group, Dr. Fatu Taqi, has expressed disappointed at the number of women ministers so far appointed by President Bio.
Meanwhile, CARL’s executive director has written an open letter to President Bio, calling on him to include more women in his governance structure.