Network of Female Councilors Sierra Leone Launched to Boost Women’s Role in Governance

In a significant move toward advancing women’s participation in governance, the Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), in partnership with Trocaire and supported by Irish Aid, launched the Network of Female Councillors Sierra Leone at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown on Thursday.

The initiative brings together female councillors, civil society organizations (CSOs), and government officials from across Sierra Leone to champion gender equality and foster leadership at the local level.

Marcella Samba Sesay, Executive Director of CGG, opened the event by underscoring the importance of the network in promoting good governance and gender equality. She thanked donors, partners, and the Ministry of Gender for supporting the event, noting that the network aims to empower women in governance by creating a platform for shared experiences, knowledge exchange, and mutual support.

Councillor Salamatu Koroma of Jui highlighted that the network would enable female councillors to learn from each other’s experiences and advocate for issues affecting women in their communities. She emphasized that the network’s purpose is to build a collaborative space for growth and shared governance goals.

CGG Programme Manager Sahr Kendema explained the motivation behind the initiative, pointing to President Julius Maada Bio’s recent launch of a female network for ministers as inspiration. “Female councillors are at the heart of community development activities. They are pivotal in representing their communities, and this network will strengthen their voice and impact,” Kendema said.

The keynote address from Professor Fredline M’comock Hail, Chair of the 50/50 Group, urged councillors to remain united across party lines. She praised female councillors as the “foot soldiers” of local governance, urging them to utilize the network to amplify their voices and expand their influence.

Trocaire’s Country Director, George Were, reaffirmed Trocaire’s commitment to women’s empowerment in Sierra Leone and beyond. “This network is critical for empowering women not only in Sierra Leone but across Africa. Through shared experiences, female councillors can gain the skills necessary to succeed and drive local development,” Were said, calling on other donors to support the initiative.

Caroll Hannon, Head of Development at the Irish Embassy, applauded Sierra Leone’s strides in empowering women and pledged Ireland’s continued support for women’s rights. She emphasized that networks like this are vital for driving local initiatives, such as the Feed Salone program, which emphasizes women’s roles in food security.

Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs Dr. Isata Mahoi highlighted the network’s potential to build female leadership across party lines. “This network is about enhancing our skills and capabilities as women in governance,” Dr. Mahoi said, thanking CGG for supporting her ministry’s mission to empower women. She emphasized the need for collaboration to tackle issues affecting communities and promised continued support for female leaders.

The Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Ambassador Tamba Lamina, described the network as “groundbreaking,” asserting that women’s leadership is crucial in the era of good governance. He encouraged councillors to remain resilient amidst challenges and announced upcoming regulations to ensure at least 30% female representation in council committees, a milestone in the government’s gender equality efforts.

The launch of the Network of Female Councillors marks a critical step in Sierra Leone’s ongoing efforts to foster gender-balanced governance and strengthen the role of women in leadership at the grassroots level. The event concluded with calls for unity, resilience, and collaboration among female councillors to bring impactful change to their communities.