By Mohamed Massaquoi
The choice of Pujehun as the host of this year's observance of International Women's Day in March was probably deliberate. Together with Koinadugu in the north, the southern district has come to symbolise the most despicable problems besetting women and girls in Sierra Leone - ranging from rape, marginalisation and the general lack of development. So commemorating such an important event in Pujehun town was a perfect opportunity to call attention to the issue and get people and policy makers and organisations thinking about how to deal with the menace.
Judging by his speech, the guest of honour and president, Ernest Bai Koroma did not disappoint. He addressed the main issues and hit the nail right on the head.
To huge and wide applause by the hundreds of local and international guests at the ceremony, the president said thus: "In my leadership as the president of the Republic of Sierra Leone I am going to stand strongly together with my government officials to see that the issue of women especially violations against them, is properly addressed because Sierra Leone will never develop if women do not play critical roles in the development process."
In the months following that occasion, the evidence of the ground is that women and girls are still being murdered and raped with amazing rapidity and brazen lack of contrition. The other frightening reality is that the wheels of justice appear to be moving too slowly for the satisfaction of many ordinary people in this district. For some, the justice system is simply making itself irrelevant and runs the risk of being accused of encouraging the attacks on women and girls.
Without prejudice to on-going trials, let me outline a few of the cases grinding on very slowly in the courts.
About three months before International Women's Day, 29-year-old Christiana Juma Konneh was gang-raped at the Holy Family Primary School, just a stone's throw from the police station in Pujehun. She subsequently died. A member of her family, a man called Mohamed Junior Humper says he is frustrated "at the manner in which the judiciary is treating this matter...To be candid there is no court proceeding to our knowledge as family members." He believes "this is a clear demonstration that the issues of women in Pujehun district are not treated with seriousness because justice delayed is justice denied".
I know that five people were arrested and charged. They have so far made 11 appearances before a magistrate but the matter is still undergoing preliminary investigation. The police always tell journalists that they are waiting for legal advice from state counsel. And that sometimes seems sine die.
This has left many people in Pujehun disappointed. Another police prosecutor says the problem has always been with defence lawyers not showing up to cross-examine witnesses. Whatever the truth, the current state of affairs can hardly increase the people's faith in the justice system and could be forced to mete out instant or mod justice in future.
December 2013: Another woman in Gissiwo village, Makpele chiefdom murdered allegedly by one Samai Sama. As I write, that case is still in the high court.
January 2014: Another woman was killed in Malen chiefdom. The case is before a magistrate. The accused on remand. But police say they lack any too strong evidence against the accused.
12 February 2014: An alleged ritual murder of a woman in the same Malen chiefdom was also reported to the Pujehun police division.
This was followed in the same February by yet another alleged ritual murder in Kpatemei village in the Sorogbeima chiefdom, 10 miles to the Mano River border. A group of men including the youth chairman of the said chiefdom, Mohamed Kpaka were arrested and taken to the regional police headquarters in Bo.
The grim rape and murder statistics continue. On 14 June 2014, 25-year-old JebbehShiaka was stabbed to death allegedly by a 14-year-old girl at MadinmaKodogbe village in the KpangaKarbondeh chiefdom apparently in a struggle for the heart of one Shiaka French. It speaks volumes of the rampant sex with girls some dirty old men have here as a pastime. And despite the sexual offences act and the child rights act, there is no consequence.
Back to the statement by President Koroma on International Women's Day 2014, questions abound as to how the president's talk matches, or not, the reality on the ground in Pujehun.
Despite the fact that the Minister of Gender and Children's Affairs, Moijueh Kaikai hails from Pujehun, many in the district believe the challenges facing women and girls in the district are being treated with levity.
During celebrations marking International Women’s Day in Pujehun, Kaikai told the gathering that violations and abuse of women in the country especially Pujehun would be dealt with according to law. The people of Pujehun district are still in suspense waiting for justice to be done, speedily.
As cases of sexual abuse of under-aged girls pile up at the police Family Support Unit in Pujehun, it is ironical and shocking that some of those from whom much is expected in the district are involved in this blatant child ravaging. And it's as if they are above the law. For legal reasons, I will refrain from pointing specific fingers on those I am referring to here. But have a look at the cases in court and see those facing charges. I know they are guilty until proven guilty, but the real signs are all there. And they do not include those whose matters are settled privately through very backward traditional comprises.
Against this background, the women and girls of Pujehun district are going to be pulled away from the path of development. Their education, like that of many others, will continue to suffer in the district. And their future will be further blighted.
I sympathise with civil society groups because they will continue shouting in the air without any positive response to these burning issues. Since the people of Pujehun started making appeals to the government for a resident magistrate their cry has never been heard.
The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone is another disappointment to the people who have not heard much from this important institution in all their suffering. Even with a group of child protection agencies in the district, no significant results have been recorded.
Recently, the line manager of the police Family Support Unit, Sergeant Lahai Koroma was on the local Radio Wanjei giving an analysis of abuse of young girls with an eye on matters reported to his division for the past five months. He mentioned 15 incidents. But he said a good percentage of those cases are being “compromised at community levels”.
A few weeks ago a staff of the NGO Save the Children made a pronouncement on radio that 27 teenagers of the only secondary school in Zimmi Makpele chiefdom were pregnant.
Something has to be done beyond making nice speeches at big occasions. Let justice be done. People travel over long distances to attend court but each time they come their matters are not called up because the magistrate only sits on those matters once a month. Tell me what is their inevitable reaction, next time,when someone wronged them? Or is Pujehun not important enough? I rest my case.
(C) Politico 26/02/14
