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Examining the Periphery: Female Justice System in Sierra Leone

Paige Ferreira
Global Security Studies     
Prof. Shirk

Stampeding on the Patriarchy Native to the Periphery 
      The conflict in Sierra Leone was a political atrocity due to the number of human rights violations and the nation’s lack of governmental stability. The RUF’s (Revolutionary United Front) stampede on Sierra Leone professed the goal of creating democratic institutions and promoting civilian involvement in the government; yet, these decrees evolved into the extremes of mutilation, death, and child soldiers with the true intention of protecting the jewel of the land: diamonds. The conflict created inequalities, injustices, and war crimes innumerable at the latter part of twentieth century. Sierra Leone, a nation rich in resources and a society strong in patriarchy, presents a dynamic not only within African countries, but also within developing regions as a whole. Regardless of location, those nations classified within the periphery oppress female capabilities and opportunities while supporting the notion of a domestic “housewife” as integral to its political system. In essence, nations within the periphery promote a separate spheres ideology in which women are relegated to the private sphere and denied any political, social, or economic autonomy.  Another peripheral nation Russia experiences the same unequal gender paradigm. Within the Russian political system, Putin has likened women’s rights and female autonomy to a threat to his Russian rule. The roles of women are insecure socially and economically in these different regions as autonomy is only applicable to men due to patriarchal political dominance and influence.
    The periphery undermines justice for women through suppression and subservience exhibited through limited access to education, political involvement, and unequal job opportunities. Currently, in Russia, women outnumber men significantly and live an estimated ten years more than men (Eder and Volkava, 2017).  Similarly Sierra Leone “with a population of 51 percent women in the country” has a demographic advantage compared to the male population (Dizo-Conteh). However, while strong in numbers, women do not have the ability to gain autonomy or political voice due to domestic responsibilities being given high priority within these developing nations. Yet, as patriarchy dictates every part of society (political, social, and economic), discrimination is a means to an unparalleled socioeconomic end. Women in Sierra Leone “face poor access to education and health facilities as well as discrimination in the job market... as well as sexual harassment and rape” (Dizo-Conteh). Injustices against women outweigh the notion of protecting the country's caretakers. The justice system in Sierra Leone currently imprisons mothers for even the most minute acts. Prisons in Sierra Leone, especially, have rising rates of female inmates. After the Civil War, many wives and mothers were left as single parents; as a result, many women turned to stealing as a source of feeding their children. Crime became the only option for survival.
        Because women lack proper tools to become autonomous, the patriarchal justice system of Sierra Leone continues to undermine a mother’s need for assistance. The prison system is in disrepair as “limited funding means poverty inside prison walls;” the Sierra Leone justice system not only denies a women access to her legal rights, but also increases human rights abuses as living conditions deteriorate (IRIN News). Female prisoners increase, poverty worsens, and proper treatment of mothers and children are ignored. The right of representation becomes a struggle for lawyers as they are “defending women whose literacy and low status makes them particularly vulnerable to the ravages of post war poverty” (IRIN News). Women under the male political system are marginalized making them constant victims of Sierra Leonean social and political conflict.
      A stronger, inclusive political and justice system in Sierra Leone is imperative to secure women legal representation to protect their position in society and to allow women a greater voice in government.  Women need to be granted educational opportunities to prepare them for careers outside the home and within the justice system as paralegals and attorneys.  Women need to advocate for other women.  Additionally, the international community should help establish NGOs within the country to help women unify and define their human rights within society.  With possible exchange programs implemented by either the UN or the international community, African women, especially in Sierra Leone, should be educated in the West in order to receive a full education regarding law or technology in order to gain the tools of autonomy. Greater opportunities and advocacy will decrease the need for women to resort to crime to support their families; women with a strong political voice will increase women’s rights and decrease the amount of female prisoners.  Lastly, a more educated female population can advocate for democratic elections with female candidates to take advantage of a large female electorate.  These advances have the ability to not only benefit women in Sierra Leone, but also help families gain better health care and resources to thrive.



 References
Dizo-Conteh, U. (2011, July 12). Women's Struggle in Sierra Leone. Retrieved November 13, 2017, from Wordpress website: http://www.qub.ac.uk/Research/GRI/mtitchell-institute/FileStore/Filetoupload,756490,en.pdf http://www.worldpress.org/Africa/3777.cfm
IRIN News. (2014). Sierra Leone's Women Behind Bars [Youtube].





Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 13, 2017 at 9:40 AM

    I thought your discussion was very interesting and discussed a topic which many sources, even academic ones, often look past: women. It was great that you drew a parallel between the situation of women in Russia and the women of Sierra Leone. During civil war and the reconstruction that often follows, it is easy for people to fall back into the same cycle of intense patriarchy which you discussed. I like how you included a very detailed plan as to how you think the global community should help the women in Sierra Leone, which seems to be very well thought out. I can't help but to think of some potential unintended consequences of NGOs and other government organizations getting involved to help the women of Sierra Leone. I think it would be most beneficial for both parties to have an open discussion, so the women can share what they actually wish to accomplish in their country, as opposed to outsiders determining that for them.

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  2. UnknownNovember 14, 2017 at 4:23 PM

    I thought that the points that you made throughout your discussion were very thought out and passionate. I agree that the situation for women in Sierra Leone is very terrible and that something should be done. However, I am left wondering about how that will be accomplished. From what we discussed in class it was unclear to me that Sierra Leone really had an institutionalized system of government. Without a formally recognized and effective government in place, some of these changes will not really be able to be made. I think that in order for women to get the rights that they need and deserve, a functioning government with a clear bill of rights that includes women's rights will need to be created. In my opinion, this should be the priority in Sierra Leone.

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  3. UnknownNovember 19, 2017 at 4:45 PM

    You did a great job with this blog post. Your passion is incredibly evident and your points very well thought out. I agree with your argument, but I also do not know what can be done. the ideas and exchanges that you listed are wonderful ideas, but they sound more like fantasies for an underdeveloped nation like Sierra Leone. I think the key to changing the way women in Sierre Leone live is to establish a government and services to protect and educate them. That is the first step in the process would definitely be to create a solid establishment where social justice is center, then as a domino effect it would turn to help the women of Sierra Leone.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownNovember 19, 2017 at 8:23 PM

    I agree with the point made across this blog and that women's rights should always be a topic that must be talked about but I do not see much that can be done within a nation that is so underdeveloped like Sierra Leone. To even open the topic for those within the government of the women's issues the country and government itself must be at least closer to stable than it is and it then can even address this issue. Bringing up an issue like this with no ability to enact the change that should most definitely be needed in places like Sierra Leone could possibly hinder the ability for change.

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