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Sierra Leone female politician from the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party, Sylvia Blyden, has condemned the growing assault on female referees in the ongoing Sierra Leone Female Premier League in the country.
Sylvia Blyden expressed her frustration after a female referee Florence Yata Lebbie was beaten by heavily built men allegedly from the technical team of Sierra Leone Police Female Football Club on Sunday 18th February 2024.
According to Blyden, the unfortunate incident occurred after the referee issued a red card against the Sierra Leone Police Female Football Club during their match with Patricia Umu FC in Kambia.
Blyden stated that Florence Yata Lebbie became the 4th victim, in less than 10 days, of male-perpetuated hot violence against Female football referees.
The game according to her went into uproar and could not end.
In her statement, she blamed President Julius Maada Bio and his government.
“Personally, I most Strongly blame the Maada Bio led SLPP Government for the continued recalcitrance in these developments. Despite the fact that I have privately reached out to the duty bearers of this Government for them to treat the violence with utmost seriousness, this incompetent regime cannot even send social workers to provide psycho-social counseling to female victims; talk less of condemning undue violence against Women in Sports”.
She questioned the boast of President Bio’s government having a female in his cabinet as the Minister of Sport and Minister of Gender yet he cannot issue a simple statement to frown on violent beating up of Women on a football field.
“This is why the Men within the technical arm of the Sierra Leone Police Football Team saw nothing wrong today to assault a female referee less than 10 days after the uproar of 3 female referees being assaulted and left with bloody noses”.
“This is a shameful and egregious disgrace on the part of H.E. President Julius Maada Bio’s SLPP-led Government”.
She said Sierra Leonean women deserve better than just hearing that President Bio cabinet has more women than ever before, adding that women need to feel like they are really protected in various sectors.
“Yes, Sierra Leone Women deserve better than just parroting Lip Service. We deserve better Mr. Government. We deserve better”. She ended.
