The Sierra Leone Parliamentary Female Caucus has intensified national advocacy for gender inclusion and women’s rights within the ongoing constitutional review process. This was during a two-day engagement held on Thursday, 7th May 2026, at Committee Room One, Parliament Building in Freetown.
The engagement, co-funded by the Parliament of Sierra Leone and PetroJetty, brought together female legislators, government representatives, civil society actors, and development partners to deliberate on key gender-related 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 programme aimed to strengthen women’s participation in constitutional reforms and deepen discussions on equality, inclusion, representation, and the protection of women’s rights within Sierra Leone’s evolving democratic framework.
Delivering the welcome address, the Clerk of Parliament, Mr. Karmoh K. Conteh, reflected on the historical evolution of the Parliamentary Female Caucus. He recalled early institutional efforts under the ACBF project aimed at amplifying women’s voices in Parliament and increasing women’s political participation.
He acknowledged the progress made over the years, particularly the achievement of the 30 percent representation benchmark, and encouraged female legislators to remain united, strategic, and committed to advancing women’s inclusion through the constitutional reform process.
The President of the Parliamentary Female Caucus, Hon. Bernadette Wuyata Songa, described the constitutional amendment process as a critical opportunity to strengthen equality, justice, dignity, and inclusion for women and girls in Sierra Leone.
She highlighted key landmark legislations, including the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, the Sexual Offences Act, and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. She stressed the importance of entrenching these legal gains within the Constitution to ensure long-term protection and sustainability.
Representing the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Director of Policy and Planning, Mr. Ibrahim Kamara, reaffirmed Government’s commitment to aligning Sierra Leone’s legal and governance framework with international and regional gender equality standards.
He noted that the constitutional review process presents a unique opportunity to strengthen non-discriminatory provisions and enhance women’s participation, protection, and access to justice.
Speaking on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, the Opposition Whip from Kambia District emphasized that women’s empowerment is essential for national development. He stressed that no country can achieve meaningful progress while excluding women from decision-making processes.
He commended the contributions of female parliamentarians and called for the protection and continuation of the 30 percent women’s representation quota, regardless of political changes.
Representing the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Abdul Sulaiman Marray-Conteh reaffirmed that women’s rights are constitutional rights. He called for sustained collaboration among political actors and institutions to strengthen women’s participation in Parliament, Cabinet, local councils, and other governance structures.
Delivering the keynote address, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., described the proposed Constitution Amendment Act 2025 as a transformative step toward a more inclusive democracy, social justice, and economic development.
He noted that electoral reform is closely linked to gender reform, emphasizing that the proposed amendments aim to institutionalize the 30 percent quota for women and enhance their participation in governance and leadership.
He further disclosed Government’s intention to introduce additional legal reforms, including mediation and community service legislation, to improve access to justice particularly for women and vulnerable groups.
According to him, the proposed constitutional provisions will guarantee gender equality, strengthen citizenship and nationality rights, improve access to education and healthcare, and provide stronger protections for women and girls across the country.
Moderating the engagement, the Director of the Parliamentary and Public Relations Department, Mr. Sheku Lamin Turay, highlighted the crucial role of the Female Parliamentary Caucus in the constitutional review process. He noted its contribution to advancing women’s participation, protection, prevention mechanisms, and broader empowerment efforts.
The two-day engagement is expected to strengthen women’s participation in the constitutional review process by enabling female Members of Parliament to effectively translate advocacy priorities into legislative and constitutional reforms. It also aims to foster stronger collaboration between female and male parliamentarians.
Key discussion areas include promotion of equality, inclusion, and non-discrimination. Protection of citizenship and nationality rights. Strengthening women’s representation in governance. Safeguarding women’s rights, dignity, and social justice
Participants are also reviewing priorities outlined in the Bank Complex Communiqué and the Women’s Manifesto.
Additionally, discussions are focusing on the progress of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act 2022, particularly the attainment of the 30 percent quota in the 2023 general elections. Other areas include recommendations from the Constitutional Review Committee, White Paper commitments, existing constitutional gaps, and key priorities for inclusion in the proposed Constitution.