The former President and Founding Member of Mano River Women Peace Network (MARWOPNET), Sierra Leone, Madam Rosaline Macarthy, pays a courtesy call on the Chairman of NaCCED, congratulating him upon assuming office. In her presentation, she gave a brief background of MARWOPNET by saying that since its establishment in 2000, they have participated and contributed to many peace-building missions and processes in Sierra Leone and the Mano River countries. “Conflict resolution and empowering women are one main pillar of focus in our activities”, she stated.
She further explained that the strides by the government to bring women into governance through the provision of 30% for women to be included in the governance structure are laudable, stressing that the number of girls in schools is a remarkable effort.
Madam MaCarthy emphasized that for development to be achieved and sustained, peace must reign, and that because women often bear the brunt of war and crisis, they should play prominent roles in fostering peace.
In conclusion, Madam Macarthy expressed that the main purpose of their visit was to seek a partnership with NaCCED in carrying out civic education and engagement with special focus on issues affecting women and girls in Sierra Leone. She presented to Chairman Bindi a research report on sexual exploitation and abuse of women in cross-border trade in the Mano River basin.
Chairman Bindi, while receiving accolades from the MARWOPNET team, emphasized the fact that the very foundation of development is peace and responsible citizens, and one cannot talk about sustainable peace and social cohesion in communities without mentioning the role women played in achieving peace in Sierra Leone.
He reaffirmed NaCCED’s commitment to work with MARWOPNET, stressing that in the process of civic education and engagement, the goal is to achieve and maintain a peaceful society. He concluded by saying that NaCCED will continue to work in partnership and collaboration with organizations with similar objectives in order to achieve its goal, and that his office is always open to members of MARWOPNET.
