By: Aminata Sesay
In a landmark move towards gender equality, Sierra Leone has revised its Civil Service Code in a bid to enhance 30% of women’s representation in leadership positions within the civil service.
This significant reform was appreciated by Mrs. Deema Kpalayieh, Deputy Director of Recruitment and Selection, during a press conference organised by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education at the Miata Conference Hall, Youyi Building on Tuesday 11th March 2025.
Mrs. Kpalayieh underscored the critical role of women in national development, asserting that no nation can thrive without their active participation. She acknowledged that historically, women have been marginalised in leadership roles, but the approval of the revised Civil Service Code marks a transformative step towards rectifying this imbalance. “We now have a framework to hold institutions accountable,” she stated, emphasising the code’s potential to drive meaningful change.
The updated code introduces several pivotal measures aimed at promoting gender inclusivity:
30% Quota for Women in Leadership: A dedicated chapter mandates that women must constitute at least 30% of leadership positions within the civil service. This quota is designed to amplify women’s voices and ensure their representation in decision-making processes.
Equitable Promotion Practices: The code stipulates that during promotion evaluations, women should be equitably considered, ensuring that advancement opportunities are not disproportionately dominated by men.
Monitoring Committees: To oversee the implementation of the 30% inclusion mandate, the code provides for the establishment of committees within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). These committees are tasked not only with monitoring progress but also with ensuring that the stipulated recommendations are effectively realised.
Enhanced Support for Women: The code addresses critical areas such as maternity leave, recruitment, deployment, and transfers, introducing improvements to better support female civil servants.
Mrs. Kpalayieh highlighted sexual harassment as a significant barrier hindering women’s professional growth. She explained that the revised code offers clear guidelines on addressing this pervasive issue, recognising that harassment can manifest verbally, non-verbally, and through physical contact.
The code encourages women to report incidents to designated gender focal persons, immediate supervisors, or Human Resources departments, emphasising the importance of providing evidence to support their claims. By instituting these measures, the code aims to create a safer and more equitable work environment for all employees.
This revision aligns with broader legislative efforts to promote gender equality in Sierra Leone. Notably, the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act (GEWE), enacted in January 2023, mandates that public and private entities reserve 30% of their jobs for women.
The act also provides for increased workplace training opportunities for women, allows fourteen weeks of maternity leave, punishes discrimination against women seeking access to financial services or resources, requires equal pay for equal work, and mandates yearly reviews of its implementation in both public and private institutions.
The approval of the revised Civil Service Code reflects a conscious effort by the leadership to empower women and ensure their active participation in governance. Mrs. Kpalayieh expressed optimism that these reforms would enable women to “match up” to their male counterparts, contributing significantly to national development. She concluded by acknowledging the law’s potential to support women in a traditionally male-dominated society and expressed gratitude for the progressive steps being taken.
As Sierra Leone continues to implement these reforms, the nation moves closer to achieving a more inclusive and equitable society, recognising that women’s empowerment is integral to sustainable development.
