Freetown, Sierra Leone – In a significant step towards strengthening women’s leadership and advancing gender equality in governance, the Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) , in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA) , recently held a consultative meeting with female parliamentarians.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders to discuss strategies for enhancing the participation, representation, and effectiveness of women in political leadership roles. It served as a platform for open dialogue, experience sharing, and consensus-building on how best to support female legislators in navigating the challenges they face and maximising their impact in national development.
Strengthening Women’s Political Participation
The consultative meeting was part of broader efforts to revitalise the Network of Women Ministers and Parliamentarians (NeWMaP) , which has been reactivated under the current administration. With the increased number of elected female MPs following the 2023 general elections—largely due to the implementation of gender quota provisions in key laws such as the Public Elections Act and the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act of 2022—there is now an urgent need to equip these leaders with the tools and support systems necessary to succeed.
Participants explored ways to promote cross-party collaboration, enhance policy advocacy, and strengthen mentorship networks among female parliamentarians. The discussions also focused on how to align parliamentary agendas with national gender policies and international frameworks that uphold women’s rights and empowerment.
Key Discussions and Outcomes
Among the key topics discussed were:
Strategies for improving the visibility and influence of women in legislative processes
Challenges female parliamentarians face include access to resources, media coverage, and institutional support.
Opportunities for capacity-building through training, peer support, and leadership coaching
Using the GEWE Act (2022) as a legal framework to drive gender-responsive legislation and budgeting is important.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continue fostering inclusive and supportive environments for women in politics. Participants expressed appreciation for CGG and MoGCA’s role in facilitating the dialogue and reaffirmed their readiness to work collaboratively in shaping a more equitable and representative political landscape.
Looking Ahead
This consultative meeting marks a pivotal moment in the journey toward greater gender equity in Sierra Leone’s political sphere. As NeWMaP continues to grow and gain momentum, it will serve as a vital platform for amplifying the voices of women leaders, ensuring their active participation in decision-making, and promoting policies that benefit all citizens—especially women and girls.
We look forward to building on this success through future engagements that further empower female leaders and reinforce the principles of justice, equality, and good governance across the nation.