Elizabeth Simbiwa Sogbo-Tortu
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Simbiwa Sogbo-Tortu is a Sierra Leone
an woman who was the subject of controversy after her 2009 bid to become a traditional chief was rejected because of her gender. Sogbo-Tortu's father and grandfather were the heads of the Niminyama chiefdom. According to Sogbo-Tortu, "Ten of us were in the race including my nephews, and I was the only one denied the right to stand, despite being the eldest and coming from a ruling house." After her disqualification, one of her nephews was appointed chief.
Sogbo-Tortu subsequently filed a legal appeal to her disqualification that was rejected. Despite an escort of police, United Nations
officials, and women's rights
activists, she has prohibited from returning to her home in Sewase, eastern Kono District
after they learned it was besieged by rock-throwing members of the Poro
secret society.
Yasmine Jusu-Sheriff, vice-chair of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, stated she would take the case to the Supreme Court
. Women are barred from holding chieftainships in Northern Province
and much of the east of the country, but female chiefs are allowed in the south of the country.
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
an woman who was the subject of controversy after her 2009 bid to become a traditional chief was rejected because of her gender. Sogbo-Tortu's father and grandfather were the heads of the Niminyama chiefdom. According to Sogbo-Tortu, "Ten of us were in the race including my nephews, and I was the only one denied the right to stand, despite being the eldest and coming from a ruling house." After her disqualification, one of her nephews was appointed chief.
Sogbo-Tortu subsequently filed a legal appeal to her disqualification that was rejected. Despite an escort of police, United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
officials, and women's rights
Women's rights
Women's rights are entitlements and freedoms claimed for women and girls of all ages in many societies.In some places these rights are institutionalized or supported by law, local custom, and behaviour, whereas in others they may be ignored or suppressed...
activists, she has prohibited from returning to her home in Sewase, eastern Kono District
Kono District
Kono District is a district in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone. Its capital and largest city is Koidu Town. The other major towns in the district include Yengema, Tombodu, Motema, Jaiama-Nimokoro and Sewafe. Kono District is the largest diamond producer in Sierra Leone.The population of Kono...
after they learned it was besieged by rock-throwing members of the Poro
Poro
The Poro, or Purrah or Purroh, is a secret society of Sierra Leone and Liberia.-Structure:Only males are admitted to its ranks, but two other affiliated and secret associations exist, the Yassi and the Bundu, the first of which is nominally reserved for females, but members of the Poro are admitted...
secret society.
Yasmine Jusu-Sheriff, vice-chair of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, stated she would take the case to the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of Sierra Leone
The Supreme Court of Sierra Leone is the highest court in Sierra Leone. It has final jurisdiction in all civil and criminal matters within Sierra Leone and its decisions cannot be appealed...
. Women are barred from holding chieftainships in Northern Province
Northern Province, Sierra Leone
The Northern Province is one of the four provincial divisions of Sierra Leone. It comprises five Districts and covers an area of 35,936 km² and with a population of 1,718,240 . Its administrative and economic center is Makeni...
and much of the east of the country, but female chiefs are allowed in the south of the country.