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A recent survey conducted by Media Matters for Women, in collaboration with UN Women Sierra Leone, has highlighted a troubling lack of awareness regarding the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act among the population, particularly among women in the country.
The survey, titled “Knowledge Attitude and Practice” (KAP), aimed to gauge public understanding of the GEWE and the Land Rights Acts passed by Parliament in 2022.
According to Abibatu Kamara, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at Media Matters for Women, the survey was administered in five districts, which were Kenema, Bombali, Port Loko, Karene, and Western Area Rural. Reportedly, a total of 2,500 respondents were randomly selected, with 500 participants from each district.
Findings from the survey indicated that only 49% of respondents were aware of the GEWE Act, with a significant portion of the awareness coming from men, stating that 62% are not aware of the customary Land Rights Act, while 38% are aware, with men being in the majority.
Kamara expressed concern about the gap in knowledge, noting that women, who are supposed to benefit from those laws, are often left in the dark. She remarked, “The women we spoke to said they are not aware of the laws, and the majority of the men who are aware said they got the information on radio and in community meetings.”
Many women reported that they do not have the time to engage with media outlets because of their domestic responsibilities, while their husbands often attend community meetings but do not relay the information back home.
The survey was reportedly carried out over two weeks from 17th February to 27th February, 2025, focusing on adolescents and adults to assess the reach of those vital laws. Kamara noted, “It is only when the women are aware about the existence of the laws that protect them that they can demand those rights.”
Notably, the GEWE Act includes provisions to reserve 30% of elective and public office positions for women, aiming for a significant shift in the historically male-dominated governance structure in Sierra Leone.
The research, funded by Irish Aid, was shared with partners to develop key messages aimed at improving women’s awareness and understanding of the laws. The GEWE Act and the Landmark Customary Land Rights Act were designed to enhance the socio-economic conditions for women, increase their participation in governance, and protect their rights to land ownership.
The laws introduced important measures to improve access for women to financial resources and employment opportunities, ensure equal compensation, maternity leave, and political representation.
