The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has emphasized that access to energy is crucial for the realization of several human rights, including the right to an adequate standard of living, the right to health, and the right to education. In essence, electricity is not a luxury but a right to be promoted and protected by the state and to be enjoyed by the people.
The government of Sierra Leone owes the people the obligation to provide stable electricity supply. In this women’s month, we also remind the government of Sierra Leone of its duty under CEDAW to ensure that women in particular enjoy adequate living conditions, including access to electricity and water.
The Society urges the people of Sierra Leone especially civil society groups to make lawful and aggressive (peaceful) demands on the government of Sierra Leone and to consider taking all measures permitted by law to get the government of Sierra Leone to honour its duty to provide all necessities for adequate standard of living including reliable and constant electricity supply. The society stands committed to assist, collaborate and work with citizens’ actions geared towards this end.