For Women Empowerment Africell Supports Behind The Wheel Project

The foremost GSM Company in Sierra Leone, Africell in its continuous commitment in making life better for the people of Sierra Leone, this time round  supported the ‘Women at the Wheel Project’, which was recently launched by Presidential Adviser, Prof. Monty Jones at State House.  (Photo: Africell MD, Shadi Gerjawi making a statement)

The project aims at empowering women to become drivers of new yellow in colour commercial taxi cabs so that they can be self-reliant.

The Presidential Adviser to President Ernest Bai Koroma, Professor Monty Jones, on Friday officially launched the Women at the Wheel project at State House, on behalf of the President.

The project is an initiative of the Women for Africa Foundation, a private Spanish non-profit Foundation created in February 2012 carrying out 10 projects in more than 10 African Countries.

The project puts women behind the wheels as drivers of brand new yellow in colour, commercial taxi cabs that are attractive and eye catching.
The project is being implemented in Freetown in collaboration with Diamond Child School of Arts and Culture (DCSAC).

Launching the Project, Professor Jones said “I am extremely pleased to be available to launch this project today on behalf of President Koroma and to also demonstrate the country’s appreciation of your Foundation’s commitment in inspiring our women by tapping into their unused human capital in the transportation service sector”.

He states that the project is perfectly aligned with cluster four of Pillar 8 of the ‘Agenda for Prosperity’; “Promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment,” adding that the beneficiaries have been trained as professional taxi drivers, motor mechanics and also business women.
Professor Jones added that “the government of President Koroma is fully aware that Women’s Economic Empowerment is a driver to the sustainability of our National economic growth.   This is why we have recently established the Women’s Empowerment Fund to facilitate avenues for women’s financial independence.”

The Presidential Adviser reiterated that the private taxi service will also be addressing some critical needs in promoting National Development, reduce time burden for service users and also create a secure driving environment.

Service users do not have to drink and drive anymore; nor talk on the mobile and drive. They should enjoy enhanced reliability of service delivery and most especially respect the dignity of the Women at the Wheel.

‘The government, he said, will guarantee your security by levying the toughest penalties on anyone who attempts to violate your rights, as you deliver this very important service to the Nation,’  Calling on these women to report any form of violence perpetuated against them to the Police, adding that their safety and dignity is paramount to the government.

In her statement, the First Lady, Sia Nyama Koroma said women bear almost all responsibilities for meeting basic needs of the family, yet are often denied the resources, information and freedom of action they need to fulfill their responsibility.
She said that studies show that when women are supported and empowered, the entire society benefits. Their families are healthier, more children go to school, agricultural productivity improves and incomes increase, communities become more resilient when women are empowered.

The First Lady said the project in the motor industry is both an ingenious and timely, especially at a period when the women of Sierra Leone are ready to be at the center stage of governance and development in line with the ongoing Constitutional Review Process.

“I have no doubt that when our women are empowered to become taxi drivers and mechanics, they will add value to the industry and bring out the much needed safety measures we want to see on our roads,” she said.

The President Women for Africa Foundation and former Prime Minister of Spain, Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega, said in Africa women are the greatest actors of development and have played tremendous roles in development.

Therefore, they (women) must not be left out in development process as women empowerment is the engine for progress.

The President said the project will enhance women in reaching their desired life and make them self-reliant. She informed that a team of professional drivers from Madrid will be coming to Sierra Leone to help train these women to be professional taxi drivers.

Minister of Transport and Aviation, Leonard Balogun Koroma, said since 2012, the Foundation together with DCSAC, have been working in the field preparatory phase; selecting candidates and selecting teachers.

He added that phase 1 started on May 2013, training 30 women drivers, five women trained mechanics and eight trained in management (management of the taxi service and of the cooperatives).

Logus Koroma said the project is designed to create employment for women and in the process empower all categories of women, particularly women from deprived communities, war affected women, war widows and other widows who have been adversely affected by the loss of their husbands by war or other causes and who are saddled with the responsibility of taking care of their children as single parents.

Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, Alhaji Moijue Kai Kai, commended Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega for choosing Sierra Leone to implement the project and assured her of his Ministry’s fullest support for the realization of the project.

President Diamond Child School of Arts and Culture, Anthony Zachariah Jalloh, said he decided to create the DCSAC because he believes

Adviser to the President, Madam Naasu Fofanah, while introducing the chairperson of the programme, said the initiative is very close to the government, and thank Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega for gracing the occasion.

The launching was chaired by the Managing Director of FIBank, Madam Hasiatu Agbaje, while President Ernest Koroma officially commissioned the taxis and was taken on a test drive by one of the female driver.

One of the female drivers, Christiana Kamara thanked Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega for gracing the occasion and for considering the women of Sierra Leone to be part of this project and for them to actualize their dreams.  She also thanked the Gender Adviser, Naasu Fofanah for her commitment and dedication in making the project a reality.

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