Feature

By Fatmata Sorie

I do not believe there is any activist in Sierra Leone who did not consider the Public Emergency on rape and sexual penetration a laudable venture. This singular act has seen the passing of the Sexual Offences Amendment Act of 2019 which now sets a minimum of five years for rape and sexual penetration and a maximum of life imprisonment depending on the age of the perpetrator and aggravating factors that our Judges would consider before sentencing.

By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

And so, it ends - women’s right campaigners, gender activists, social workers, politicians and female MPs punching the air, sending high fives and sharing hugs. All in celebration of a significant achievement: the passing into law of the amended Sexual Offences Act. It had been four months in the making. The celebrations are worth it.

By Prof. Bah

1. Lead and Manage from Bottom, Up: Make City Council More Powerful

By Alimamy Sultan Koroma

Across the world, attitudes towards the mentally ill are changing. There is a growing understanding that mental health problems are no different from other illnesses, and can be cured if approached with care, empathy, and dignity.

Unfortunately, Sierra Leone seems oblivious to these changes and remains one of the worst countries for people with a mental disorder. Unfounded cultural beliefs, lack of resources and archaic laws continue to fuel stigma against the mentally ill, resulting in gross human rights violations.

By Stephen T. Fomba

By Uncle Sam

By Stephen. T. Fomba

During a recent conversation with a good friend, he emphasized the importance for Sierra Leoneans to understand the difference between State, Government, and the ruling political party, stressing that they are different. We did not discuss his position beyond that, but I stayed up in bed hours after my bedtime pondering on what he had said.