By George M.O. Wiliams
A woman who was allegedly tortured by a police officer
The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs has condemned rising cases of domestic violence against women and girls in Sierra Leone.
In a press release on Tuesday, the Ministry expressed deep concern and outrage over the alarming surge in such incidents in recent months.
The Ministry highlighted that Sierra Leone has been shaken by several recent cases of domestic violence, some resulting in tragic deaths or permanent disabilities. These acts, according to the Ministry, do not only threaten the fabric of communities but also undermine the peaceful coexistence of families across the nation.
“Sierra Leone is a nation founded on the principles of justice and the rule of law. We remind all citizens that taking the law into one’s own hands is not only unlawful but also counterproductive to achieving justice,” the Ministry stated in the release.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of women and girls, the Ministry emphasized the government’s determination to take decisive action against domestic violence. The release also underscored Sierra Leone’s status as a signatory to several international and regional agreements focused on the protection of women’s rights, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Maputo Protocol on Women’s Rights.
The Ministry further stressed that, in alignment with these commitments, the government has enacted robust policies and laws to ensure that women and girls enjoy their fundamental freedoms and rights on an equal footing with men.
“Violence against women and girls has no place in Sierra Leone,” the statement concluded, calling for collective action to eradicate this scourge from society.