Sierra Leone attends a roundtable on Equal Futures Partnership in USA
The Sierra Leone Embassy has ably represented the government of Sierra Leone in a round table discussion, on the topic “the Equal Futures Partnership” aimed at advancing women’s Economic Empowerment and Political Participation. (Photo: Chargé d’affaires Mrs. Sillah in warm hand shake with a top White House official)
Hosted by Tina Tchen, senior Adviser to President Barack Obama and senior Aid to United States first Lady Mrs. Michelle Obama and the United States delegation to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) on the 22nd floor of the United States Mission to the United Nations, New York, several countries including Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Denmark, European Union, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Georgia, New Zealand, Jordan, Netherlands, Peru, Tunisia and Senegal represented by their Foreign Ministers, Gender Ministers, Ambassadors and Chargé d’affaires including Mrs. Isatu A. Sillah updated the august body about developments regarding gender parity, and rights of women in their respective countries.
Ms. Tchen recalled President Obama’s challenge of September 2011,to break down barriers to women’s political and economic empowerment and said “the United States is making new commitments: building on existing efforts, opening doors to quality education and high –paying career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math(STEM) fields. Adding,” the United States administration will embark on a new collaboration with private and nonprofit stakeholders to reverse women’s historic underrepresentation in STEM education and careers.”
She also spoke of promoting Civic Education and public leadership for girls, and reaffirmed the promise of the equal futures partnership to work geared towards increasing the ability to access decent work and markets and financial services, increased ownership of productive assets particularly land and enhanced skills and training including for marginalized women.
Ms. Tchen also recommitted “The Equal Futures Partnership” to increase political and civic participation by women at local, state/provincial and national levels, in both appointed and elected positions and in decision–making processes including for marginalized women.
According to her, federal agencies are launching new efforts to empower domestic violence survivors by helping them achieve financial independence through credit, counseling, micro finance support and education on financial literacy and employment rights.
In the area of Strengthening Support for women entrepreneurs Ms. Tchen said the Small Business Administration, along with other federal agency partners will expand entrepreneurship training programs for women veterans, youth and older women as well as focus new efforts around encouraging women innovators.
She said several leading United States businesses, academic institutions and nonprofit organizations supporters include CauseCast, CGI America, Creative Commons, Discovery Communications, Dove, Goldman Sachs, Harvey Mudd College, Intel Corporation, Mary Kay Inc., Open Courseware Consortium, Piazza and Rutgers University , have also made commitments to advance women and girls economic and political empowerment at home and abroad.
“They are dedicating themselves to launching new and innovative programs to support women and girls in STEM fields, connecting women entrepreneurs to markets and supply chains and supporting research to advance girls leadership.
In her conclusion, Ms. Tchen made available Country commitments Guidance to attendees and said respective letters of intent in joining Equal Futures Partnership should be submitted by March 15th, 2013.
“The letter of intent should affirm your country’s commitment to identifying new actions, develop specifically in response to the Equal Futures challenge. They should include policy, legal and regulatory reforms, and new programs or initiative to address key challenges to women’s political and economic participation in your country as outlined in the concept note.” Adding, “The letter of intent should also identify the country’s focal point for its effort.”
The able bodied representative of the Embassy of Sierra Leone Mrs. Sillah informed the august body that she had already sent the letter of intent, together with an update on strides made by the Government of Sierra Leone since the creation of the MDG’s in 2000 and the challenges encountered to date and that she will be the focal point to coordinate the equal Futures partnership between the White House and the Ministry of Gender & Children’s Affairs in Sierra Leone.
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