Source: Awoko
A local NGO, Movement for Resettlement and Rural Development (MORD) and the civil society governance outfit Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) have ended a dialogue forum with stakeholders and representatives from political parties, civil society organizations and women activists under the project “Strengthening cooperation for women’s political participation, rights and empowerment in society”.

In her statement the chairperson of the meeting Satta Senesie said women had been silent for a very long time and were always being sidelined in the area of development. She said the 2007 Gender and Domestic Violence Act gave them their right which she said they must uphold and come forward.

Earlier in his welcome statement the National Coordinator for MORD, Lahai Galiwa said the purpose of the meeting was to advocate for women in favour of their participation in local governance. He said as part of celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) the meeting was very crucial to partners, political party representatives and the media. He disclosed that 56 women were targeted to be trained in the district and that they were expecting to go to Parliament in the 2012 parliamentary elections.

Lahai said that their aim as an organization was to provide space for women despite their cultural and traditional beliefs. He said women can contribute positively and must be allowed to partake positively in governance especially political parties. He said similar meetings had been held in other communities within the district to ensure that women come forward in development issues and politics.

Giving an overview of the meeting the Program Manager of MORD, Henry Moiwo Korjie said women, youths and the poor were being severely marginalized all over the world and as such the organization through the help of the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) had supported five communities in the Kenema District.

 

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