The Africa Global Logistics Sierra Leone (AGL) on Thursday 7th March, 2024, at its headquarters in Freetown, has commemorated International Women's Day on the theme: Inspiring Inclusion.
In his welcome address, the Country Manager at Africa Global Logistics Sierra Leone, Bertrand Kerguelen, welcomed invitees for gracing the event in promoting gender equality.
He continued that as a company, they are committed to advancing women and streamlining their policies to give women more opportunities, thus, the reason why this day is not only important to women but also to the company as a whole.
Communication Manager at AGL, Gassimu Fofanah, says International Women's Day is very significant enough, adding that it is not a day to celebrate the achievement and progress of women, but a reminder of the work that needs to be done to achieve gender equality.
He furthered that as they celebrate, let them commit to acting every day to create a more inclusive and equal world for all.
"From this day onwards, let us remember to carry forward the spirit of empowerment, equality, and appreciation for women's achievement every day of our lives. Together, let us try for a world where every woman's voice is heard, every woman's right is respected and every potential is fully realized. All of us should continue to commit to the fight for gender parity in all aspects of life as together we can create a more inclusive and equitable world," he ended.
Giving a background of the United Nations Women's Day, Human Rights Lawyer, Rashid Dumbuya Esq says the UN is deliberate and they chose this day because of many things that happen across the world against women and the way the world was acting to women's issues.
He went on that in essence the UN set aside this day as a deliberate move to celebrate recognizing the role and importance of women in society but also a day to reflect on the challenges still affecting women, especially in realizing their full potential.
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Speaking on the importance of commemoration, CEO at Madam Yokie Foundation, Marian Kaikai thanked AGL for prioritizing this day, adding that it is high time men begin to realize how and when to speak with women as their attitudes and behaviors towards women have to change.
She continued that by advising parents to share responsibilities equally among both boys and girls at home, as according to her, girl children should not have the feeling that they are supposed to be docile and subservient to their husbands when they marry.
"If girls are going to grow up in Sierra Leone, men need to provide the wings for them to fly. If a girl can go to the kitchen, also boys can. Even in the workplace, if you see a woman coming to work tired, you have no idea what she has been through in her home. Try to be empathetic and nice to her."
She also stated that as women, they have to own their narratives, own their story, and build themselves up and not for men, stressing that there were so many fighting in the back for women to have the thirty percent quota and they are still pushing hard for more.
She concluded by urging women to be independent selfish on their intentions and focus on themselves.
Narrating her testimony as an example of why women should be independent, Binta Kadul, owner of Binta Kadul Restaurant urged women to focus and believe in their actions.
She went on that her journey began with six cups of rice and two benches at a "cookery shop". However, she continued that because of her commitment, dedication, sincerity, and relentless perseverance, she was able to stand tall now and boast of owning a restaurant of her own.
