By Ragan M. Conteh

It is crystal clear that prior to now, Sierra Leone women had been deprived, marginalized, bottled-up, intimidated due to long-held superstitious beliefs by people that women are meant only to be in the kitchen.

This myth contributed greatly for so many women to be left uneducated, a factor which had contributed to the downfall of the nation in economic growth.

Chauvinism had become the order of the day as almost all the foremost offices were dominated by men.

However, since the implementation of the 30 percent quota, there’s been massive improvement on women’s welfare as there are laws now that are protecting their rights.

Women are presently occupying strategic positions in governance, and it is a dawn for development in the country.

On Thursday 20th June 2024, a private member bill: “Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024″ was tabled in Parliament with parliamentarians debating it extensively as the bill contains enormous opportunities for women.

Opposition Chief Whip, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, championed the debate as he was full of enthusiasm noting that the 30 percent quota will not work effectively if there are no perceptible laws in support of women.

He mentioned that women of this nation have been left behind considering the current trend in the world on women’s empowerment.

Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara went on to narrate that female parliamentarians are very intelligent and industrious as they have been contributing immensely to national development.

He emphasized that if those women of status now had been, long ago, pushed to marital homes there would have been no proclivity for them to attain such a height now.

And as a result, he said, the issue of child marriage must be abolished as women are capable of handling the affairs of the nation if enough chances are given to them.

“Our women, our dignity”, he made this statement to notifying the world that women need to be pampered; they must be treated equal and to be free from all sorts of domestic violence.

Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara disclosed that many women are currently languishing in their matrimonial homes due to early marriage as there are no laws to safeguard them from being in such creepy situations.

And since thes bills are coming now they would not stifle them but would rather ensure that they are enacted.

Opposition Chief Whip underscored that women are still being bullied in the country as he cited a trending insolent song: ‘ U nor born u nor marrade why u bobby 4 fodon” , translated as ( Why the flabby breast of unborn woman).

He referred to the lyrics as very demeaning to womanhood as the very men saddle-idly for those women body posture as they chase them for their erotic desire.

Opposition Chief Whip encouraged women to bring more bills that are gearing towards women’s protection in the country.

He therefore, called on all parliamentarians to embark on the sensitization of the act in their different communities, promising that they will help to keep the people abreast of the new law.