[Sierra Leone] Landmark law to protect women’s rights

In Sierra Leone, a historic law to improve women's rights, including better employment rights, has been passed, Business Ghana reports.

30 per cent of government and private sector jobs in the country will be reserved for women under the new Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act (GEWE), according to an official statement.

Gender Minister Manty Tarawalli said, "Today is an historic day when Sierra Leone can rightly say it has legislation carefully designed to do away with gender inequality.

"Today is an important step in the right direction but more steps will have to be taken before the country can say fairness has been achieved across the genders."

In addition, women will now reportedly benefit from ringfenced senior positions in the workplace, at least 14-week-long maternity leave and equal access to bank credit and training opportunities.

There are significant repercussions in place for employers who fail to stick to the new gender ratios including hefty fines and even potential prison time for financial institutions that do not give women fair access to financial support. It is believed that this will make it easier for women to start their own businesses.

The government reportedly said the employment law will apply to any business with more than 25 employees.

Source: Business Ghana

(Quote via original reporting)

In Sierra Leone, a historic law to improve women's rights, including better employment rights, has been passed, Business Ghana reports.

30 per cent of government and private sector jobs in the country will be reserved for women under the new Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act (GEWE), according to an official statement.

Gender Minister Manty Tarawalli said, "Today is an historic day when Sierra Leone can rightly say it has legislation carefully designed to do away with gender inequality.

"Today is an important step in the right direction but more steps will have to be taken before the country can say fairness has been achieved across the genders."

In addition, women will now reportedly benefit from ringfenced senior positions in the workplace, at least 14-week-long maternity leave and equal access to bank credit and training opportunities.

There are significant repercussions in place for employers who fail to stick to the new gender ratios including hefty fines and even potential prison time for financial institutions that do not give women fair access to financial support. It is believed that this will make it easier for women to start their own businesses.

The government reportedly said the employment law will apply to any business with more than 25 employees.

Source: Business Ghana

(Quote via original reporting)