By Gibao Brima

Women in Crisis Movement a National Non- Governmental Organization with support from Global Fund has Commemorated International Women’s Day at John James Hall Up-Gun East of Freetown with the theme “Inspire Inclusive”.

In her opening statement, Rev. Mrs. Juliana Konteh Director for Women In Crisis Movement underscores that her movement work with all categories of women more especially the Female Sex Workers (FSW) who are their key population. Her movement has strive hard over the years to empower women in all WICM  operational areas in Kono, Pujehun, Kambia, Mayenkineh in East of Freetown and Goderich West of Freetown Adding that Global Fund has Support her Movement in Commemorating International Women’s Day  to enable Women to know that they are very much Important and powerful people adding that there was a time when Women were struggling, they did not have knowledge about there rights but thank God activists in Europe stand up to say enough is enough. There intervention has today put smiles on the faces of women all over the world.

Pupple, Green, and white are colours selected for 2024 International Day Commemorating Mrs., Konteh further dilated on the colours saying Pupple symbolism justice and dignity for women, Green symbolizes hope and white symbolize purity.

Women Mrs, Konteh said need to have self-pride and dignity for themselves and above all think of putting Sierra Leone on the map. We have to honours the past i.e. people that have fought for us, celebrate the present and look for the future.

However, Women need to ask themselves what roles they have play in there various homes, Society and Communities etc.

We women has key roles to play for International Women day to succeed.

Government she said has   taken a big step in empowering women at Political level by given over 30% quotas to women Partiapation on parliament. Government she said has done the needful it is up to these Female Politicians equally to  bring development to their various Communities. Global fund she said sponsored her movement (WICM) to fight HIV|AIDs, it does not mean because you are  HIV|AID positive that mean you cannot contribute    meaningful to society all what you need is to empower yourself. A woman has plenty to do in transforming a nation.

Reflecting on the role of women Mrs Konteh said women give birth to children, cook, and take care of both the children and the home among others. Looking at this year theme for International Women’s Day Director Konteh said every women is inclusive whether you are rich, poor, educated or not etc. but rather as long as this day is for Women no Women is exempted, All Women has to be change agent for your country.

She took kush as an example of  drug that has destroyed sierra Leone. she appealed to her women folks to help stand firm women are the one that has given birth to those children and are mostly at home to look after the children you should help communicate with the chiefs, elders and stakeholders in there various communities to help put an end to this social malice if not our children who are our future leaders will be left in shambles.

Equally so Mrs. Konteh draw the attention of all women including invited quests about global warming, let us try to know the cause and causes of global warming this message she said should be cascaded down to our various communities.

Mrs. Hannah Kargbo Chairperson for the commemoration draw the attention of all women to work hard and not to rely entirely on men for everything, “ you should not see yourself to be a liability but rather see yourself as an asset but this can only happen when  you try to develop yourself.

Mr. Amara Lebbie for National Aids Secretariat (NAS) underscore that how much has men invested in women an equally so what has women done to develop themselves by not rely on men all the time.

We at NAS we have done a lot to help women, we do this by developing strategies to ensure women are key in all projects we develop. He highlighted some examples such as NAS work with ministry of social welfare in the development of the three (3) gender act, thirty percent (30%) for women to participate in Parliament among others.

Also he said NAS has work and provided legal practitioners to help women who are disadvantage especially women who are HIV / Aids positive, female sex workers (FSWs) among others. They should not be disadvantage because of the type of trade they have engage themselves.

Melisa S Kabba from society for women with HIV/AIDs Sierra Leone (SWAASL) and Maseray Swarray form another Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Happy Kids equally made meaning contributions all gears towards the role women should play in the development of their various communities and societies and above all how they can up keep their women-hood so that society will respect them.

In her key note address Mrs. Umu Nabieu underscore that this day laid the platform for women empowerment. Global Fund platform is to celebrate the achievements made so far by women.

International women’s Day showcase about women empowerment equally as women you need to cascade your achievement or talent to other women in your society or community so that the knowledge you have gain will not die with you.

She advises women to have respect and dignity for themselves and above all try to add value to your selves by helping in development of your homes and your country.

Women in Crisis Movement priority areas Mrs Nabieu said is addressing female sex workers problems who are there key population, their priority is to empower them by breaking the barriers in discrimination against them living with HIV/ Aids.

They engage the police who often arrest FSWs, people may not like the trade they have engage themselves in but it is their own way of life and we need to encourage them for them to have a better change of life.

Government she said has work so hard to listen to the cry of women participation into politics by exceeding the thirty percent (30%) quota women has cry for to be represented in parliament.

Dilating further Mrs. Nabieu said FSWs has been given legal retainers to help them live a better life whenever they need a legal representation in court. All what they need is to contribute to safer sex by using condoms, do their HIV test so that they can know their status and not to willfully infect others.

Transport refunds   through Rokel sim kopor to participants climax the International Women’s Day.