Press Release
PROGRESS IN PREPARATION FOR AN INCREASED FEMALE PARTICIPATION IN THE 2018 ELECTIONS & BEYOND
In its continued efforts at promoting a culture of equal representation and more women in political leadership, the 50/50 Group had embarked on a series of partnerships in gearing and preparing for increased female participation in the the March 2018 elections and beyond. There has been a significant mileage covered nationwide and through these partnerships, women have successfully been accessed in their communities to be able to get information and gain knowledge on their roles & responsibilities, on the voter registration process, leadership and breaking barriers, public speaking, and empowerment training for women and young girls. These have resulted in seeing more women aspiring for political leadership and more women willing to support other women in the political space. To date we have conducted the following activities nationwide through the various partnerships with DFID through the STANDING TOGETHER CONSORTIUM, OSIWA, IRC, USAID through WELD & UN WOMEN
Operationalising the 50/50 Group’s Gender & Women’s Leadership Training Institute: The Group is very grateful to OSIWA whose funding has enabled the group to keep its Institute open and recruit 8 full time staff. In addition, over 350 women from various sectors have been trained in leadership skills. These include women from tertiary education institutions, women with disabilities, officers from the Sierra Leone Police, officers from the Sierra Leone Correctional Centre and leadership induction of new 50/50 members, including some aspirants for local councils and Parliament..
Engendering the Registration Process: Regional & District mobilisation of women for voter registration in Kenema, Kono, Kailahun, Tonkolili, Bombali, Port Loko & Koinadugu. (WELD)
Training of Female Aspirants in Leadership & Governance, including Public Speaking & Engagement (Bombali, Tonkolili, Port Loko, Koinadugu, Kailahun, Kenema, Kono) (WELD)
One Day Regional Workshop with Informal Women’s Groups In All 16 Districts-On Enhancing Women’s Political Participation in The 2018 Elections targeting over 28 Women’s Groups & a total of 240 women with a vivid intention of increasing the total number of community women to actively participate in issues of governance and leadership and these included women farmers, petty traders, nurses and health workers, faith based groups, sex workers, Ebola and HIV Survivors and people living with disabilities.(Standing Together Consortium)
One Day District & Chiefdom Level Training On Election-Related Violence Mitigation, Targeting Women, Peace & Security Networks across the Country especially in border areas to minimize the risk of violence and engage women as agents of peace within their communities to build their capacities to address potential threats of violence and de-escalate tensions before, during and after the 2018 elections. Our key implementing partners at community level is the Sierra Leone Police (Standing Together Consortium).
Persons with Disabilities: a total of over 600 women including persons living with disabilities have been trained in Pujehun, Koinadugu, Kambia, Bonthe and Moyamba respectively. In the next two weeks, the 50/50 Group will be conducting its final sets of training of Women, Peace and Security Networks in eight chiefdoms in Kailahun and Kono Districts targeting 320 female participants including persons living with disabilities. Chiefdoms that have benefitted from the trainings include: Kaiyamba, Bajruma, Fakunya, Konbora, Wara Yagala, Kasunko, Diang, Sengbeh, Yambeko, Imperi, Sogbini, Tong, Sowa Chiefdom, Kpanga Krim, Kpanga Kargogoneh, Malen Chiefdom, Mabolo, Mansangbala, Gbalamuya, Magbema, Sheguema-Njalahun, Upper Bambara, Luawa, Buedu,
Promoting Solidarity & Leadership for women & girls: TOT & training sessions for young women mentors, women’s groups, girls’ groups & community leaders in Violence Against Women and Girls, leadership, advocacy & movement building: Kenema, Kono, Kailahun – International Rescue Committee
The 50/50 Group of Sierra Leone is a non-partisan campaign for more women in politics and public life and is committed to seeing an increased participation of women as candidates, voters and officials in the 2018 elections.
More women, Better Politics
Better Politics, More Women.
For more information contact:
Dr. Fatou Taqi, President,
The 50/50 Group Sierra Leone
Tel: 078 655998
Dr. Aisha Fofana Ibrahim
Project Lead
The 50/50 Group Sierra Leone
Tel: 076991751
Mr. Adbein Tunde Joe Smith
Project Officer
The / Group Sierra Leone
Tel: 099355708
