ZONTA CLUB OF FREETOWN
“SAYS NO TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS”
ZONTA CONDEMNS THE RECENT ACTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST A FEMALE STUDENT AND A FEMALE DOCTOR
Zonta Club of Freetown is aware of two recent incidents of violence against women perpetrated by public officials while undertaking their official duties.
The first incident on 12th April 2021 involved a female student at IPAM University being violently arrested by police personnel during a riot at the university campus, during which she sustained injuries and her upper body clothing was torn. The second incident on 13th April 2021 involved a female doctor who was allegedly assaulted by 3 senior Ministry of Health officials at Connaught Hospital. Zonta totally condemns such actions of violence against women by government functionaries in the performance of their duties. Such actions are against the fundamental principles of women’s rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment to which Sierra Leone is committed at global, continental, and national levels. On 3rd December 2020, His Excellency the President launched the Sierra Leone Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Policy. Such actions by government functionaries negate the principles enshrined in these commitments and policies.
Zonta calls upon the responsible authorities to investigate these incidents, issue a public statement on the inappropriate use of force by protection Agencies, and requests accountability for those responsible for these unfortunate incidents. As a follow up to the launch of the GEWE, we call for the development of mechanisms to implement the policy within government institutions. We recall remarks by His Excellency the President at the Virtual Engagement of Women in Leadership on 11 March 2021 in commemoration of International Women’s Day; “We will continue working to dismantle institutional, structural and other barriers to women’s empowerment and advancement”.
Zonta calls for restraint by all parties from actions that would lead to further suffering of women and girls.
Zontian Marcella Jones
Club President
