Ambassador Perry's Speeches

Greater Participation of Women in the Political Process in Sierra Leone (6 May 08)

Honorable Ministers,
Partners from the National Democratic Institute,
Colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

Thank you for joining us here this morning to celebrate the empowerment of women.  I regret I cannot be with you for the entire day but know it will be a successful one.
May I also thank the members of the United States Mission, especially the Agency for International Development, the Public Affairs Section and the Management Section for all the hard work they have put into this event, as have all of you.

The role of all stakeholders and citizens in a nation is essential for without it, unity is lacking.  All ethnic, linguistic, racial and religious segments must be part of the whole if the nation is to survive, indeed to thrive.  I urge Sierra Leoneans to become one people, one nation to grow and to compete in a global society.

Women’s empowerment is crucial to the development of Sierra Leone as a nation.  Women are more than 50% of the population, so the status of women truly is the status of the people of Sierra Leone.  We are here today to launch a program that will help Sierra Leone develop its democratic system of governance through the political empowerment of women.

The presidential and parliamentary elections of last year were a watershed in Sierra Leone’s democratic development.  The citizens and leaders of this nation demonstrated to the world that they are committed to the principles of democracy and would not allow anything to corrupt their representative political system.  Women’s achievements in the electoral process were profound.  As voters, activists, and candidates, many women stood up to say “I am here, and I will exercise my rights.”  And, yet, the position of women in this political system remains disproportionate to the number of women in Sierra Leone.

The disparity between women’s representation in society -- 52% -- and their representation in government -- only 13% of Parliament – is inequitable.  Sierra Leone ranks #87 in the world in terms of the women’s representation in the legislative body.  At the local level, too, women constitute only 13% of elected leaders.
 
These numbers are to the detriment of Sierra Leone.  History has shown time and time again that women’s political participation and leadership has a direct positive correlation with national development.  When women are in decision-making positions, government decisions are more representative of the needs of the most vulnerable citizens, and basic infrastructural and developmental programs are more effective – more roads are paved; more girls are educated; more people have access to safe water. 

I remember a story someone told me. When that person asked another government's representative how their country had, within a generation, launched itself into becoming a "middle-income" country, he replied simply. "We looked around and said over 50 percent of our citizens are women.  If we do not invest in women and make them a vital part of our growth, we are wasting 50 percent of our resources."  I hope that, in one generation (30-33 years) that will be Sierra Leone's story.

Sierra Leone is home to thousands – probably “millions”-- of smart, dedicated women, ready to serve their communities.  As mothers, daughters, teachers, lawyers, caregivers, cooks, sisters and wives, these women keenly understand the concerns of their communities.  It is high time that the people of Sierra Leone give the women a chance to show that they also know how to address those concerns.

The upcoming local elections in Sierra Leone provide the country with a rich opportunity to increase the number of women in local office.  Some African countries have already achieved levels of 30, 40 and even over 50 per cent of elected women representatives at the local, municipal and national levels in their legislative bodies.  Women in other parts of the world have also achieved significant political status.  Although some may think of Asian women in a stereotypical fashion as docile, in fact, there are shining examples of strong women leaders. 

One female parliamentarian from Thailand, for example, has been a leader in the area of international human rights.  In Burma/Myamar, Aung San Suu Kyi stands out as a woman of political strength and courage.  In the United States, women have worked hard and been insistent on their right to run for office.  Many started out working as poll watchers, or working within their political parties or as attorneys and moved up to elected positions.  The same can happen in Sierra Leone through persistence, hard work and insistence on entry into political office. 

Therefore, I encourage women to participate in these elections: as candidates, as activists, as campaign managers, as voters.  I also urge the men of this country to stand up and advocate for the women.  All the men here present today would not be here were it not for women!  The women have shown their abilities in the home, in the marketplace, in the schools.  Now let them dazzle us in elected office.

The United States is proud to support the efforts of the National Democratic Institute through the US Agency for International Development.  Their commitment to strengthening the role of women in the political process is sure to make a profound impact on women’s empowerment in Sierra Leone.  By training local women candidates; working with the media to distribute information on the importance of women in politics; and training the women elected to local office, we feel confident that the United States can help all Sierra Leoneans to better Sierra Leone.

Thank you again for being here today.  Your presence clearly indicates your commitment to the development of Sierra Leone by empowering women in politics.  I wish you the best of luck in your efforts.  May God bless you and the united, unified nation of Sierra Leone.