The All-People Congress Party (APC) National Women’s Congress has in a press statement put out on Monday February 7, 2022, condemned what they described as a spate of ‘harassment and intimidation’ of the Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki-Sawyerrby not only the House of Parliament but also the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Sierra Leone.
It was said in the release that all parties that are involved in ‘seemingly unending spate of harassment and intimidation of the mayor’ that their actions neither resemble nor represent Sierra Leone’s morals, values, ethics and customs that respect the dignity and sanctity of women not only in their homes but also in their workplace.
In the release, the Women’s Congress therefore, call on all state actors, civil society groups and the international partners to join them to admonished the Government of Sierra Leone to ensure the immediate and unconditionally end to all unwarranted smear campaign against the mayor.
The APC Women’s Wing said, “Sierra Leone is at a time when contribution to nation buildingby womenis needed more than at any other time in the nation’s history. The government in his wisdom has initiated a Gender and Women’s Empowerment Bill aimed to protect and empower women.”
According to the release, the vast majority of Freetownians believe the intimidation and harassment are well calculated attempts aimed at tarnishing the hard-earned reputation of the Mayor.
They urged the government to focus on more important issues that threatening the survival of the state and address the bread-and-butter issues; delivery of essential services and building national cohesion.
“The constant hounding and heckling around mayor as well as the pattern of intimidation and violence against women in general around the country poses a significant threat to women participation in social, political and economic development,” they said in the release.
In this regard the APC National Women’s Congress announced unwavering solidarity with Her Mayor of the Freetown as well as other women who have endured harassments.
By George M.O. Williams