ABUJA JANUARY 22^ND 2023

The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) is committed to help on Sustainable Development Goals, especially the number 5 and 10 related to Gender equality and reduced inequality in the ECOWAS region. WACSOF has been closely monitoring the evolution of Women rights in ECOWAS region. 

In that regard, it is with pleasure that WACSOF learned the signature, by his Excellency, president JULIUS MAADA BIO, President of SIERRA LEONE, into law the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Bill 2022, now GEWE Act 2022. As a reminder, the new GEWE:

• Calls for a 30% minimum quota of women in parliament, cabinet, all appointments as Ambassadors/High Commissioners, all positions in Local Councils; all jobs in the Civil Service
• At least 30% of all jobs in private institutions with 25 and more employees;
• Maternal leave extended from 12 weeks to 14 weeks;
• Calls for access for finance and financial inclusion for women

WACSOF would like to commends the authorities of SIERRA LEONE for this important step in empowering women and girls, and ending all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls.

WACSOF calls on all stakeholders (government, political parties, private sector, Civil Society Organisations, partners) to play their respective roles for the effective and measurable implementation of the GEWE law in all levels and WACSOF calls for including Civil Society organisations in the implementation of the GEWE

WACSOF encourages ECOWAS and the member states to continue their efforts in strengthening and implementing gender and child related laws, especially fighting Gender based violence, ending early child marriage, and empowering girls, women and youth. WACSOF continues its effort on sensitizing on ECOWAS Child Policy and ECOWAS roadmap on ending child marriage and calls on ECOWAS and member states for visible effective implementation. 

WACSOF reiterates its availability to help and collaborate with all stakeholders for the application of the GEWE law in Sierra Leone and the ECOWAS Child Policy and ECOWAS roadmap on ending child marriage.

CONTACT REGIONAL HQ:  Media@Wacsof-Foscao.Org / +234 810 287 0960

ABOUT THE WEST AFRICA CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM (WACSOF)

With more than 1000 Member Organizations, the WEST AFRICAN CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM (WACSOF) is the umbrella network of the Civil Society in West Africa, covering 18 thematic areas, with representation in 15 countries of ECOWAS. WACSOF is the channel for institutionalized dialogue between civil society organizations and ECOWAS. WACSOF builds capacity, advocates, mobilizes civil society, engages in the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies for a prosperous, stable and peaceful Africa. WACSOF is an excellent channel, a one-stop-shop for systematic engagement between institutions and civil society organizations, for impactful results. www.Wacsof-Foscao.Org