The Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) and Partners have welcomed the Signing into Law of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act of 2022 by President Julius Maada Bio and Congratulated the Women of Sierra Leone for their Collective Victory.

In a press statement issued shortly after the Act was signed into law, the Civil Society Organizations made up of Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), the GEWE Technical Team and Members of the Yellow Ribbon Campaign expressed their joy and appreciation to President Bio and his government.

The GEWE Act, among other things, provides for at least 30 representation of women in Cabinet, Parliament, and appointment in Ambassadorial and Foreign Missions, the Civil Service, Legal council and in private institutions and enterprises with more than 25 employees.

Read full details of the press release below:

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“Freetown, Thursday 19th January 2023

Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), the GEWE Technical Team and Members of the Yellow Ribbon Campaign are extremely happy that His Excellency the President, Julius Maada Bio, has today, 19th January 2023, signed into law the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act 2022 after its passage by the Parliament of Sierra Leone on the 15th November 2022.

The GEWE Act, among other things, provides for at least 30 representation of women in Cabinet, Parliament, and appointment in Ambassadorial and Foreign Missions, the Civil Service, Legal council and in private institutions and enterprises with more than 25 employees. Beyond this, the Act also extended maternity leave for women from 12 to 14 weeks, strengthens gender budgeting in the public sector and creates structures for gender mainstreaming across all sectors of life.

This historic event is a culmination of political will, the collective advocacy and leadership of the women of Sierra Leone, gender promotion agencies and progressive men and women who believed that a democratic, just and inclusive society is one that meaningfully includes it women in every decision-making structure of the society.

While we are not where we want to be as women, this is a significant entry point for women’s empowerment and equality that we can build on. Importantly, today’s Presidential assent of the GEWE Act of 2022 shows that when we work together and knock doors repeatedly with a clear focus and commitment, we can make remarkable ground-breaking achievements irrespective of our differences and political persuasions.

As we celebrate today’s historic achievement, CGG and its partners want to thank HE President Julius Maada Bio for listening to the Sierra Leonean women, the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Madam Manty Tarawallie for her commitment to what was a long and tedious process, Parliament for passing such a progressive law and our international development partners who stood by us throughout this long journey. However, the real winners are the women of Sierra Leone, national CSOs and other gender promoters and ‘Foot Soldiers’ who campaigned and knocked doors traversing the country.

To all women, we say a significant milestone has been met in the fight for gender equality and Women’s Empowerment. Today is the beginning of another long journey to come, ensuring the Act is implemented to its fullest. In the meantime, let’s celebrate our collective success today.

CONGRATULATIONS TO US!”