AWE Media Sierra Leone

By: Alhaji A. Barrie  A moment of stillness. That’s all it took. When First Lady Dr. Fatima Bio remained seated as President Dr. Julius Maada Bio entered Parliament, the reaction was swift and unforgiving. Social media erupted with accusations “disrespectful,” “unpatriotic,” “arrogant.” Some posts went further, laced with misogyny and personal attacks. But beneath the outrage lies a deeper question: what are we really reacting to? Let’s be clear. There is no law, no parliamentary rule, no constitutional clause that mandates the First Lady to stand when the President enters Parliament. The Standing Orders of Parliament are silent on her role. The 1991 Constitution defines the structure and conduct of Parliament, but does not prescribe ceremonial behavior for spouses of elected officials. Perhaps it was a breach of expectation. In many societies including ours, women in public life are expected to be deferential, supportive, and quietly dignified. When they step outside that mold—by ...