Sierra Leone Passes A Bill To Curb Gender Imbalance 

Sierra Leone’s president Julius Maada Bio on Thursday signed a law that allows 30% jobs offered to women.

The African state which has for long underrated women in the society, will now let them occupy big position in governance.In political chambers, there are 18 women Members of Parliament and 4 women in 32 member cabinet.

The passed bill will now see women being represented in governance as the president defines a punishment to those who’ll breach the law.

In employment opportunities, employers who’ll breach the 30% law whether private or public, will be fined upto 50.000 leones ($2,600, 2,400 euros) for each violation.

Both public and private entities, will fully give 30% jobs to women and menial jobs be less considered, for women have been imposed to them for long.

“Women who wish to serve in public office and their supporters must not be undermined, belittled, intimated or humiliated.We must end the impunity or violence against women in elections and public life and punish all persons and entities found guilty of such violence,” president Maada said.

The bill will also let women have 14 weeks of maternity leave, training opportunities, soothing working environment and equal pay.

Previously, women have been losing jobs when on maternity leave, sexually assaulted at work places and rigged in politics.

Hon. Bio says, women will be assured great care and protection both at work place and during electoral processes, to have clear representation in politics.

“It’s not going to be easy because that space has been occupied by men for a very long time, we must monitor electoral processes to ensure election fairness and transparency”  Bio said.

Appreciating the new motive, a political woman activist Sally Ndimawa said the law will economically, socially and politically improve the living standards of females in Sierra Leone.

“We are happy today as our dream for an improved political, social and economic empowerment of women and girls in Sierra Leone has started,” Sally Ndimawa Adams, chair, Sierra Leone Women’s Forum applauded.