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The Sierra Leone Parliamentary Female Caucus has intensified national advocacy for gender inclusion and women’s rights within the ongoing constitutional review process during a two-day engagement held on Thursday, 7 May 2026, at Committee Room One in the Parliament Building.
The engagement, co-funded by the Parliament of Sierra Leone and PetroJetty, brought together female legislators, government officials, civil society actors, and development partners to deliberate on key gender provisions in the proposed Constitution of Sierra Leone Amendment Act 2025.
Held under the theme “Examining Gender Provisions in the Proposed Constitution of Sierra Leone Amendment Act 2025,” the session aimed to strengthen women’s participation in constitutional reforms and deepen discussions on equality, inclusion, representation, and the protection of women’s rights.
Delivering the welcome address, Clerk of Parliament Karmoh K. Conteh reflected on the historical development of the Parliamentary Female Caucus, noting early institutional support under the ACBF project aimed at amplifying women’s voices in governance.
He highlighted progress made over the years, including the achievement of the 30 percent representation benchmark, and encouraged female legislators to remain united and strategic in advancing women’s inclusion through the reform process.
President of the Caucus, Hon. Bernadette Wuyata Songa, described the constitutional amendment process as a critical opportunity to advance equality, justice, dignity, and inclusion for women and girls. She referenced landmark laws including the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, the Sexual Offences Act, and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, stressing the need to entrench such gains in the Constitution.
Representing the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Director of Policy and Planning, Mr. Ibrahim Kamara, reaffirmed government commitment to aligning national laws with international gender equality standards. He said the constitutional review offers an opportunity to strengthen non-discriminatory provisions and enhance women’s participation and access to justice.
Speaking on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, Opposition Whip Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara emphasized that women’s empowerment is essential for national development, adding that no country can progress while excluding women from decision-making. He called for the protection of the 30 percent representation threshold across all political systems.
Delivering the keynote address, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., described the proposed Constitution Amendment Act 2025 as a transformative step toward inclusive democracy and social justice. He noted that electoral reform is closely linked to gender reform, with the proposed amendments seeking to institutionalize women’s representation and strengthen participation in governance.
He further disclosed government plans for additional legal reforms, including mediation and community service legislation to improve access to justice, particularly for women and vulnerable groups. He added that the reforms aim to strengthen gender equality, citizenship rights, access to education and healthcare, and protections for women and girls.
The engagement is expected to enhance women’s participation in the constitutional review process and strengthen collaboration between female parliamentarians and other stakeholders in advancing gender-responsive reforms.
