Women in Fragile States: Active Agents of Change Mr. Sheku S. Sesay Governor, Bank of Sierra Leone

1. Women in Fragile States: Active Agents of Change Mr. Sheku S. Sesay Governor, Bank of Sierra Leone 24 May 2010

2. Introduction History of women in peace building in Sierra Leone Actions undertaken by the Government Challenges faced Actions required by the Government Lessons learnt Outline

3. Sierra Leone suffered one of the bloodiest civil strifes in Africa during its 11 years of civil war, which ended in 2002. Introduction • 250,000 women and girls sexually abused. • More than 1 million people, especially women and girls, displaced. • Others suffered human right abuses, such as deaths and amputations.

4. In 2001, more than half of the 170,000 people (aged 15 - 49) living with HIV were women. The number of HIV positive pregnant women has increased steadily - from 57 in 2005 to 637 in 2009. Public Health Consequences

5. The Sierra Leone Association of University Women - later known as the Women’s Forum - helped apply pressure for a negotiated settlement to the crisis in mid-1994. In 1995, the Women’s Forum rallied on the streets of Freetown, leading to democratic elections. Despite The Challenges, Women Rally for Peace • The Forum continues to bring non-partisan, women’s perspectives to issues. • The 50-50 Group calls for equal representation and supports women candidates in local and national elections.

6. Truth and Reconciliation Commission set up to investigate atrocities. Commission’s final report stated that all armed groups had carried out human rights violations against women and girls. These included killing, rape and other sexual violence, sexual slavery, slave labor, abductions, assaults, amputation, forced pregnancy, disembowelment of pregnant women, torture, trafficking, mutilation, theft and destruction of property. Government Addresses Abuses

7. In 2002, the Government, in agreement with the United Nations, set up a Special Court to prosecute violations of international humanitarian and Sierra Leonean law. 40 Family Support Units created to address child abuse and domestic violence. National Committee on Gender-Based Violence established with members from the government, international community and NGOs. Government Responds to Commission Report

8. Medical and Counseling Services for Survivors • Rainbow centers in 3 major government hospitals provide medical and counseling support to sexual violence survivors. • A reparation program has helped almost 4,800 war widows and 3,000 sexual violence survivors get emergency health care, fistula surgery, and other support. • On March 27, 2010, the President tendered an apology to the women and girls of Sierra Leone - and promised to vigorously pursue the 30% quota recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

9. The National Electoral Commission in Sierra Leone is headed by a woman. For the very first time, we have a Female Brigadier. For the first time, we have a female Chief Justice. The Administrator and Registrar General is a woman. We have a number of female Ambassadors and Heads of Chancery. We have a few women serving as Ministers and members of Parliament and Councilors. Women in Leadership in Sierra Leone

10. Preventing conflict; Protecting and empowering the vulnerable; Prosecuting perpetrators and rehabilitating survivors; Promoting women’s participation in peace-building and decision-making; Coordinating efforts to carry out National Action Plan, including mobilizing resources and reporting on progress. National Action Plan on UN Resolutions 1325 and 1889 Plan has 5 pillars:

11. Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs has: National Gender Mainstreaming Policy National Policy on Advancement of Women with Disabilities Policy on the Aged Anti-Human Trafficking Act Legislation to combat gender-based violence: Domestic Violence Act Registration of Customary Marriage and Divorce Act Devolution of Estate Act Intestate Succession Act Child Rights Act Building a Legislative Framework

12. Combating HIV/AIDS • Agenda for Change pays special attention to preventing and mitigating effects of HIV/AIDS. • National Strategic Plan and Monitoring Framework on HIV/AIDS for 2006-2010 • UN Joint Vision for Sierra Leone 2009-2012 • Joint Review of National Response to HIV/AIDS • National HIV/AIDS Policy • Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS Act

13. National Action Plan must be implemented. Addressing a culture of impunity and patriarchy. Out of 927 reported cases of sexual abuse, there were no convictions. Security sector in transition. Finding the resources within national ministries and from donors. Monitoring the Plan’s implementation -- currently no National Steering Committee. Challenges Remain

14. Challenges in Education and HIV/AIDS • Still have not achieved gender equality in education. • Stigma attached to those with HIV/AIDS. • Cultural practices encourage HIV/AIDS transmission. • Dependency on donor funds needs to be reduced. • National AIDS Secretariat activities need to be decentralized to the district and chiefdom levels.

15. Introduce a temporary affirmative action plan stipulating a 30% quota. Create a separate gender-based violence law and set up an independent Gender Commission. Review existing laws and customs that contribute to the subordination of women. Integrate CEDAW into Sierra Leonean law. Devise roll out plans for the gender and child rights laws. Provide access to credit and financial training for women. Actions Required by the Government

16. I have benefited from women’s leadership within the departments I have led: At the Ministry of finance, my Deputy Principal Financial Secretary was a woman and at the Central Bank my Deputy Governor is a woman. Currently some of my most dedicated staff are women. However, the overall staff position of the Bank currently favours men with a total of 376 compared to just 141 female staff. We are working to address that disparity in recruiting. Lessons learnt