Women's History Month: US Embassy Hosts Panel to Dicsuss Women and Justice

Ambassador Perry Speaking at the Program

US Embassy Freetown
Contact: Public Affairs Officer Danna Van Brandt
Tel: 076-515-350; 022-515-350

The Ambassador of the United States to Sierra Leone, June Carter Perry, opened a panel discussion on March 27 on the issue of Women’s status and roles in the Sierra Leonean Justice system, with a particular focus on the recently-passed Gender Bills. The event was held to honor Women's History Month.

The panelists, The Honorable Dr. Bernadette Lahai, Sheikh Abu Bakarr Conteh, and Attorneys Sally Khatumal and Bintu Alhadi representing LAWYERS, spoke about the rights and responsibilities of women in Sierra Leone.  Ambassador Perry, in her remarks, noted that International Women's Month is a time to honor the women who have fought to advance the causes of justice and dignity.  While we honor progress, though, we must take the time to shine a light on obstacles that remain, preventing women from reaching their full potential.  Women’s empowerment is not an issue for women alone but is one nation’s require for their own comprehensive and effective social empowerment.  No nation can succeed with half its population socially and economically subjugated.

The United States Government has a long-standing commitment to women’s empowerment.  In Sierra Leone, the United States funds numerous economic development and empowerment programs on women and youth.  We believe that by empowering women in Sierra Leone, we will enable them to speak out on important issues and ensuring that the voices of all women are heard. 

Earlier in the month, we invited Justice Salimatu Koroma to Washington to represent the women of Sierra Leone at Roundtable on Women in Justice convened by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. In her remarks, Secretary Rice said:

“…women’s empowerment should be a policy priority for every country in the world. This is my personal hope as we mark International Women’s Month. But let me be even more ambitious still: I would like there to come a time in the not-too-distant future when there will be no need for any kind of International Women’s Month – when the women and girls of the world will be safe in the knowledge that the path of justice is open to them, and when violence against women is stigmatized and punished in every society.  But until… that time comes, we will continue to support women everywhere, who persevere in their quest to gain the equal rights and equal justice that they deserve.”