By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
The Sierra Leone Parliamentary Female Caucus has intensified national advocacy for gender inclusion and the protection of women’s rights within the ongoing constitutional review process during a two-day engagement held on Thursday, 7 May 2026, at Committee Room One in the Parliament Building in Freetown.
The engagement, co-funded by Parliament and PetroJetty, brought together female legislators, government officials, civil society representatives, and development partners to deliberate on key gender provisions contained 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 session aimed to strengthen women’s participation in constitutional reforms while deepening discussions on equality, inclusion, representation, and the protection of women’s rights.
Delivering the welcome address, Clerk of Parliament, Karmoh K. Conteh, reflected on the historical development of the Parliamentary Female Caucus, recalling early institutional support provided under the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) project aimed at amplifying women’s voices in governance and decision-making.
He highlighted the progress achieved over the years, including the attainment of the 30 percent representation benchmark for women in governance, and encouraged female legislators to remain united and strategic in advancing women’s inclusion through the constitutional reform process.
President of the Parliamentary Female Caucus, Hon. Bernadette Wuyata Songa, described the constitutional amendment process as a critical opportunity to advance equality, justice, dignity, and inclusion for women and girls across Sierra Leone.
She referenced landmark legislations such as the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, the Sexual Offences Act, and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, stressing the importance of embedding such gains within the Constitution to ensure long-term protection and enforcement of women’s rights.
Representing the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Director of Policy and Planning, Mr. Ibrahim Kamara, reaffirmed government’s commitment to aligning national laws with international gender equality standards.
He stated that the constitutional review process presents a significant opportunity to strengthen non-discriminatory provisions, expand women’s participation in governance, and improve access to justice for women and vulnerable groups.
Speaking on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, Opposition Whip Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara emphasized that women’s empowerment remains essential for national development, noting that no nation can achieve meaningful progress while excluding women from leadership and decision-making processes.
He further called for the protection and institutionalization of the 30 percent representation threshold across all political and governance systems in the country.
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 inclusive democracy, social justice, and equitable governance.
He noted that electoral reform is closely linked to gender reform, adding that the proposed constitutional amendments seek to institutionalize women’s representation and strengthen their participation in governance and national decision-making.
The Attorney General further disclosed government plans for additional legal reforms, including mediation and community service legislation aimed at improving access to justice, particularly for women and vulnerable populations.
According to him, the broader reform agenda also seeks to strengthen gender equality, citizenship rights, access to education and healthcare, and protections for women and girls across Sierra Leone.
The engagement is expected to enhance women’s participation in the constitutional review process while strengthening collaboration between female parliamentarians, government institutions, civil society organizations, and development partners in advancing gender-responsive constitutional reforms nationwide.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 11th May 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
