NGOs begin campaign on women’s right to property and literacy

By Zainab Kanu

Isatu Kabbah

Five non-Governmental organizations, namely, Forum for African Women Educationalists, Sierra Leone Youth Empowerment Organization (SLYEO), the European Union (EU), OXFAM and COOPI, have come together to join the race in advocating for the protection of women’s right to property and literacy.

At a stakeholders’ meeting held at the FAWE headquarters in Freetown yesterday, the Project Manager of the campaign, Ms. Roisin Rosheen Cavanagh said that the campaign started in Kono, Kailahun and Freetown.

She also stated that the campaign is not only meant for women to stand up for their rights but that they also engage men as partners to support women and also take active part in advocating for women’s right.

She pointed out that there are records to prove that women  are still suffering from all forms of discrimination in Africa, and noted that it is time to break the barriers for women to have right to properties and literacy.

She observed that the campaign puts a lot of trust on the legal section because they are the ones to implement the laws and also provide legal assistance to women who may be at risk of being bullied by their male counterparts.

She disclosed that these NGOs have therefore come together to provide moral and financial support to the struggle for women to have these rights.

She also0 explained that they are also working with Government and stakeholders in every sector that has to do with these rights.

She also stated that at community levels, they work with community committees and conduct training on these issues.

She also stated that they also monitor the affairs of vulnerable individuals such as recently widowed women and orphaned children to see how they can intervene in their situations.

Jin her statement, Mrs Iyesha Josiah-Kamara of Women Solidarity Support Group (WSSG) said that the campaign project should have a link to socio-economic and social issues for it to have relavance.

She also stated that women need to be empowered in terms of finance and education as when women are educated they become  aware of their rights and can seek redress when those rights are trampled upon an if they are financially strong they can be in  better positions to take up their responsibilities and support their dependant.

She stressed that the campaign should look for strategies to make it strong and make the necessary impact in the country.