By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (Tanko)
The most reliable and innovative telecom network in Sierra Leone, Africell SL hosts prominent women and eminent personalities in celebrating the International Women’s Day.
The event took place at Africell’s headquarters, Wilberforce village, on Thursday 7th March 2024.
The Master of Ceremony (MC) for that well-attended occasion is a gender expert, United Nations (UN) department’s officer-in-charge, Miss Baindu Massaquoi.
She stated that the International Women’s Day was a special day for all women as showcased by this year’s theme: “Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress.”
She affirmed that it is time for self-assessment about the leading campaign on gender equality in the world. And the fight, she went on, is about
‘leaving no one behind.’
Private sector promotes innovation and open markets and gender equality in the private sector is a good business, she noted.
ChibLee Francis Kamara, the Deputy Commissioner of Labour, laid emphasis on the theme for this year.
He cautioned that workers have rights and employers have obligations.
As a labour expert, he said gross insubordination in workplace results to workers’ summary dismissal.
But he assured that Worker’s Compensation Act Cap 219 is said to be full in force, and trade unions persons would always work to protect collective bargaining agreement between employees and employers in the private sectors.
As the event gained momentum, the Assistant Director of the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Hannah Lahai-Robinson stated that March 8th had been set aside to celebrate the huge successes being made by women.
She opined that it is the day meant to addressing barriers women are facing thus creating awareness on gender equality, on the enactment of Gender and Women’s Empowerment Act in Sierra Leone.
They are also seeing that women are having access to finance, creating gender units in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Madam Hannah Lahai said designated employees should constitute of at least 30% female workers and they should be part of an institution’s decision making process.
Madam Lahai- Robinson stressed that sexual harassment should be highly condemned everywhere and that gender equality on remunerations should be highly promoted.
She ended up by saying, “We must all work together; we must put value in women for rapid advancement and development.”
She noted that women are still facing challenges in the workplaces as a result of gender parity dominance and lack of financial inclusion.
“Africell is doing well when it comes to women’s empowerment, ”she said.
The Senior Human Rights Adviser of the United Nations (UN), Uchenna Emelonye, elucidated that: “We can only accelerate profit and progress if we invest in women.”
He asked why are there intelligent women not progressing after leaving out school.
He described the situation as “unconscious biases” by men in society.
He said society has placed heavy weight on women, and he ended his speech by pinpointing his key messages.
“Steps make the difference in income. There are internal dynamics between men and women. There is no room for discrimination of women. UN is committed in working with Africell.”
“UN is also committed to working with women on promoting women’s empowerment,” he said.
Michaella Mackey Esq, a renowned lawyer and Corporate Affairs Expert inspired fellow women that defining their roles in their line of communication is very important and so she urged the female working class to establish boundaries during the course of executing their duties.
The outstanding Managing Director (MD) of Africell SL, Shadi Gerjawi, praised Madam Michaella and highlighted on the benefits of empowering women.
He affirmed that Michaella has been a strong woman and she is still going strong.
Gerjawi said women are distracted by too many things sometimes.
Gerjawi Shadi suggested that the subject matter should be changed from Women’s Empowerment to Gender Globalization.
“Government is saying 30% quota but Africell is working on 50%,”boasted.
Africell’s MD said Africell is committed to placing more women in management positions.
The performance oriented MD who is so passionate about women’s empowerment issues, explained that over the years, Africell had been investing in women with specific managerial roles assigned to them.
Sia Lajaku-Williams from the International Labour Organization (ILO), said ILO is a specialized UN Agency.
He noted that Sierra Leone became a member of ILO since 1961.
And among the numerous functions they play, enhancing social dialogues and standard settings are key in ILO’s daily operations.
Anita Adams, Head of Commercial Banking Group and top staff at Access Bank said Access Bank had been creating equal opportunities for everyone to tap into.
Promoting female issues have been a norm for Access Bank.
She said gender equality is part of the bank’s agenda.
One Dr. Elizabeth Allieu said everyone has a mental health challenge but it is based on how such situation is handled by a person.
At the end of the program, some of the top management female staff at Africell SL were called upon by MD Gerjawi to make their commitments to inspiring junior colleagues at workplace.
The event was climaxed with a wonderful song done by a female.