Section Report 2002
Political
Situation
Sierra
Leone
is just emerging from a decade-long conflict. Sierra Leoneans in general and
women in particular have gone through turbulent times. The beginning of this year saw the symbolic destruction
of weapons “making an end to the war”.
In May of 2002, free and fair elections were
held with the return of Sierra Leone Peoples Party to power. Progress
in the peace process coupled with free and fair elections create
new opportunities for humanitarian assistance. Opportunities exist for the establishment of basic conditions
for the resettlement of internally displaced persons, returnees
and former combatants as well as recovery of communities affected
by the conflict.
However, the gradual progress in the peace
process in
Sierra
Leone
could be jeopardized by institutions in the sub-region, particularly
Liberia
and very recently
Ivory
Coast
as well as by failure of the International Community to invest
simultaneously in relief and recovery operations.
A sudden large scale influx of refugees and
returnees could pose a serious source of instability. First, because
they are most likely to settle in volatile areas with limited
humanitarian access, and second because their arrival would severely
strain the capability of relief organizations to address their
needs thus leading to continuous human sufferings particularly
to women and children.
Internal activities of WILPF-Sierra Leone in the period under review
WILPF-Sierra Leone has 18 members, six of
whom are out of the country and twelve residing in the country
in the capital city
Freetown
. All of whom are officially and
professionally engaged. Members meet on the 1st Saturday
of each month in addition there are emergency meetings. Funds were secured locally and are being used to run its
Secretariat with one paid staff.
Unfortunately, no one represented WILPF-
Sierra Leone in the extended IEC meeting of August 2001 in
Geneva
. However the Section was able to adapt and agree
upon parts of the program agreed on at the IEC in
Geneva
.
External
activities
· WILPF-SL actively collaborates
with the Mano River Peace Network in the
sub-region through workshops and mediation among the three Heads
of States in the
Mano
River Basin
· Active collaboration with
the Sierra Leone Women’s Forum (a network of women’s organisations
in
Sierra Leone
)
Highlights of activities undertaken
in collaboration with the Forum
· Active participation in
the activities of the International Women’s Day of March
8th
· Active participation in the delegation
that visited the President of Sierra Leone on a statement on Women’s
disappointment in the non-inclusion of women in political and parastatal decision making positions.
· Active participation in
the monitoring of the elections of
May 14th 2002
(WILPF member won the elections and is now a member of the Parliament
of Sierra Leone)
· Active participation in
the peace activities on September 21 organized by the majority
of Youths and Sports.
Preliminary arrangements were made for participation
WSSD in
South
Africa
. Members were unable to access the available
NGO funds.
Challenges for 2003
· Vigorous membership drive.
· Follow-up on programme
of activities agreed on at the IEC and those adopted by the Section.
· Fundraising for the running
of the Secretariat and activities.
· Possibility of setting
up Sections in
West Africa
.
· Equipping our Secretariat
for improved communication with
Geneva
office, NY Office a Executive Officers and WILPF members
as a whole.
· Implementation and information
sharing of Security Council Resolution – 1325.
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