April 6, 2016 By Casper HSU and AL MANSARAY (Bournemouth University interns)
A Member of Parliament of Sierra Leone Tuesday said parliamentary proceedings to approve recent presidential nominees did not give serious consideration to the voice of women.
Hon. Gladys Gbappy-Brima, representing constituency 082 in the Moyamba district, told our reporters that although women’s population in the country predominate that of their male counterparts, that female predomination was not reflected during parliamentary proceedings to confirm President Ernest Bai Koroma’s recent appointees.
“The proceeding, in as much as it was good, it wasn’t women friendly, because amongst those who contributed [in the Well of Parliament], we only had one woman. And if we are talking about representing the people – the people of Serra Leone – we form the bulk of the majority,” Hon. Gbappy-Brima said.
She said a total of about nine male lawmakers contributed to the debate in ensuring the appointees were approved, “but only one woman on the ruling party was allowed to talk.”
Hon. Gbappy-Brima suggested that at least 30% – if not equal – representation should have been accorded to women to give their views during the debate.
She maintained that owing to the importance of the gathering – approval of appointees by the president – a greater representation from women should have been made paramount so they can say their views.
“We are here not just representing ourselves but we are also representing the women – the women folks of this country. If women are not actually allowed to also contribute to debates like this, I don’t feel it’s good,” she said.
According to the Parliament Standing Order, an MP can stand and may propose or manifest his/her interest in contributing to a debate, although it is the sole decision of the House Speaker to allow a view to be stated.
Hon. Gbappy-Brima said she would not put the issue to rest and had already asked for a meeting with Speaker, Hon. S.B.B. Dumbuya, to discuss the matter on women ‘relegation’ in the Sierra Leone Parliament.
She added that she expects the Speaker of the House, after their upcoming meeting, “to give women more space on Thursday [when the other set of presidential nominees are due in Parliament] because we are going to continue the process. If we’ve not been given the space today, then we are going to demand our space because we are human beings.”