Commentary
By Agnes Kumba Dugba Macauley (Mrs), London, UK.
I bowed my head in shame when someone called me to say my uncle, Paramount Kono-Bundor is condemning the idea of a Kono Woman ever becoming a leader or paramount chief in Kono District. To say that most kono women are disappointed in that statement is an understatement. Gone are the days when fear of empowering women brought about all the discriminatory laws against them. In this 21st century, it is not only unheard of, but criminal to discriminate against anyone including women. If the Mende men TRUST and RESPECT their women enough to enthrone them; Why not the Kono Men? It is high time we, the kono women demanded to know why our men are too frightened of taking leadership roles. They also have to explain why after leading for so long, Kono is still what it is today!!
To ALL Kono Men, and the fraction of those thinking like my honourable Chief Kono-Bundor; we, the kono women are ready to come out of our closets to claim due RESPECT and RECOGNITION from you all. Being able to demonstrate what we have and what we can do, can only empower the younger Kono generation as a Whole. There is no law in any book in Sierra Leone or traditionally agreed that the kono woman cannot lead. This are all assumptions agreed by great grandfathers whose only idea about a woman was to make her a wife and child bearer with no right to opine. A sad fairy-tale that must be rewritten to endorse reality. For I have a conviction since birth, that Kono women have something special and that their fiery spirits inspire them to stop at nothing in pursuit of truth and progress. Prove me wrong by giving us our rights and a fair share of the High Seats.
Stating that a kono woman who wants to lead must join the men’s poro society is a statement that I do not want to ponder about as joining the men’s society (for men) does not explain the logic behind becoming a progressive, role model Paramount Chief. This statement is an insult to most of our very enlightened brothers who will do anything to support Kono women progress and take the lead. So let’s drop that tale.
To Our sisters and mothers, Dr.Kadi Sesay, Mrs Hawa Kamachiende, Mrs Yasmin Fofana, Dr Sylvia Blyden, Dr Nemata Majeks-Walker and all those gave support to Madam Kumba Elizabeth Simbiwa Shorghoh Torto, I Salute you. You have shown great maturity in putting aside your political colours to support our sister. Solidarity empowers the spirit. Madam Torto is already a winner and has set a pace that other Kono women. She is a brave Kono Woman and indeed, she has demonstrated that Kono Women stop at nothing when it comes to their rights. The fight will continue and why not, this is the 21st century.
Kono people should believe that Kono district will only be celebrated by Sierra Leone, when Kono men take their women seriously, by publicly standing shoulder to shoulder and side by side with them in this 21st century to work for progress for the Kono land. Why delay the process?
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