On 8th June 2026, the Network of Women Ministers and Parliamentarians (NEWMAP), in partnership with the Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), Trócaire, and the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA), convened a high‑level engagement at Parliament’s Speaker’s Conference Room. The gathering brought together Irish Members of Parliament, development partners, and key national stakeholders, filling the room with powerful voices and perspectives on advancing women’s leadership and equality.
Trócaire’s Mr. Were opened by reaffirming their long-term commitment to women and vulnerable groups, while CGG’s Mr. Kendema traced NEWMAP’s journey, including it official relaunch by President Julius Maada Bio as a major win for women’s leadership.
Hon. Songa called the Fifth Parliament a turning point for women’s political participation, citing learning visits to other African parliaments, but noted ongoing gaps in capacity-building, funding, and solidarity.
Hon. Tarawally bravely addressed obstacles under the First-Past-The-Post system—cyberbullying, intimidation and called for reforms to the Public Elections Act to build on the transformative Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act.
Hon. Kamara highlighted key legislative wins (Customary Land Rights Act, GEWE Act, Sexual Offences Act) and urged more resources for grassroots women’s programmes.
The Irish delegation warmly praised Sierra Leone’s progress in advancing women’s equality, noting the country’s landmark achievements such as the passage of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, which secured greater representation for women in parliament and leadership roles. They highlighted the growing presence of women in government and the private sector as evidence that Sierra Leone is translating legal commitments into real opportunities. Commendation was also given for the strong legal framework protecting women and children, which positions Sierra Leone as a regional leader in gender reform. The delegation emphasized that these strides not only uplift women and girls nationally but also serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration across Africa, showcasing Sierra Leone’s commitment to justice, empowerment, and equality.
Then came a powerful keynote from Minister Dr. Isata Mahoi: she revealed that female parliamentary representation jumped from ~12% before the 2023 elections to 30% after, with women now holding 34.5% of Cabinet Minister posts and 36% of Deputy Minister roles. “If it had not been for the enactment of the GEWE Act, I would not have been here,” she said. Dr. Mahoi shared that her drive to revive the long-dormant NEWMAP Secretariat came from a desire to strengthen women’s participation across all sectors—calling NEWMAP a vital mechanism for tackling gender inequalities, fostering cross-party cooperation, and opening leadership doors. The meeting ended with a collective pledge to deepen collaboration between NEWMAP, CGG, Trócaire, MoGCA, and Irish Aid, advancing gender equality and sustainable development across Sierra Leone.
