By: Abu H. Kargbo
The Women’s Forum for Human Rights and Democracy (WOFHRAD) has brought together 24 female councillors from Makeni City, Bombali and Tonkolili councils for an inaugural experience-sharing forum aimed at strengthening women’s participation in local governance.
The forum was held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the Tonkolili District Council in Magburaka under the Irish Aid Civil Society Project (ICSP), funded by Trócaire.
The session brought together political and administrative leaders from the Tonkolili District Council. Before the forum, councillors from Makeni City and Bombali observed a sitting of the Tonkolili District Council.
WOFHRAD Chief Project Officer, Kemoh Mansaray, said the initiative forms part of the organization’s efforts to increase women’s representation in decision-making ahead of the 2028 elections.
Mansaray said WOFHRAD’s work goes beyond advocating for women’s rights, noting that the organization also provides capacity-building support to help women pursue legislative and executive positions.
“We’re creating a forum where female politicians feel safe to discuss their challenges and successes, helping them to reach their political ambitions,” he said.
Chairperson of the Tonkolili District Council, Yabom Sesay, commended WOFHRAD for its efforts to empower women and encouraged female politicians to remain committed to serving their communities.
“We should strive for more than just the 30% quota and eliminate any forms of discrimination that may hinder us from achieving our highest political goals,” she said.
Chief Administrator of the Tonkolili District Council, Edward Alpha, welcomed the participation of councillors from Makeni City and Bombali, describing the engagement as an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the councils and their shared development goals.
“We hope to see more collaboration that goes beyond experience-sharing,” Alpha said.
During the session, female councillors from the three councils shared their experiences, highlighting both challenges and successes in their work. They expressed a collective commitment to transforming their communities through continued advocacy, despite challenges including inadequate and delayed funding.
Suard Henrietta Koroma, a two-term councillor from Bombali District Council, described the forum as her first experience-sharing platform with councillors from another district.
“This is a commendable initiative, and we hope it will not be a one-off event, as it helps us share valuable knowledge in addressing common challenges faced by our communities and councils,” she said.
Councillor Aminata M. Conteh of Tonkolili District described the event as interactive and impactful, saying it promoted unity among female politicians and could contribute to local development.
“We’re grateful to WOFHRAD for this brilliant initiative, and we will continue to embrace and utilize these opportunities,” she said.
The forum also brought together councillors from the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the All People’s Congress (APC), providing an opportunity for women politicians across party lines to share experiences and discuss common challenges in local governance.