{"id":20380,"date":"2024-10-07T11:00:43","date_gmt":"2024-10-07T10:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/?p=20380"},"modified":"2024-10-07T11:00:45","modified_gmt":"2024-10-07T10:00:45","slug":"opinion-impact-of-sierra-leones-gender-equality-and-womens-empowerment-act","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/opinion-impact-of-sierra-leones-gender-equality-and-womens-empowerment-act\/","title":{"rendered":"Opinion: Impact of Sierra Leone\u2019s Gender Equality and Women\u2019s Empowerment Act"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In 2023, history was made in Sierra Leone when the president, Julius Maada Bio, signed into law the Gender Equality and Empowerment Act.<\/a> The law was to promote and empower women across many fields of endeavour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article examines the law’s impact on Sierra Leone\u2019s political landscape, focusing on the women\u2019s 30 per cent quota act during and after the nationwide elections on June 24, 2023. The small West African nation has long been a patriarchal society, with female counterparts reduced to the \u201cbackyards\u201d of their homes and communities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In November 2022, the country\u2019s law-making arm passed \u201cThe Gender Equality and Women\u2019s Empowerment\u201d Act (commonly called the \u2018GEWE\u2019 Act)<\/a>. In January 2023, President Julius Maada Bio assented to the Bill and gave the new law power of expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This Act undeniably and significantly helped to change the male-domination narratives that had, for a very long time, surrounded the country\u2019s political, social, economic, education, and other key sectors within Sierra Leone’s borders.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The GEWE Act grants Sierra Leonean women the 30 per cent quota<\/a> they had clamoured for against both past and present governments for ages; fortunately, the act, via the strong fight of the country\u2019s First Lady, Ms Dr Fatima Maada Bio, together with partners and strong women\u2019s groups, championed the passing into law of the GEWE Act,<\/a> providing women with huge opportunities in all walks of life in the small West African nation of Sierra Leone.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

GEWE Act passed into law <\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The clamour for a 30 per cent quota by women, including women\u2019s groups like the famous 50\/50 Women\u2019s Group, Sierra Leone\u2019s Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ), and UN Women, was long overdue. It was time for Sierra Leone\u2019s women population to make a \u201cbreakthrough into various professional areas\u201d in the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The law was passed with support and lobbying from different women groups, including the \u201cHe4She\u201d campaigners. As stated earlier, the act grants women the right to strategic positions in their numerous places of work and professions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than a year on, DUBAWA gauges citizens\u2019 views regarding the impact of the GEWE Act<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Citizens\u2013who are undoubtedly the most important people who have the power to make political decisions\/changes in every electoral process\u2014could not be left out of this research finding. The reporter randomly sought the views of some Freetownians regarding the impact of the 30 per cent quota granted to women via the GEWE Act.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Susan Massaquoi<\/a> is a mother of two and a private worker in Freetown. Speaking to this researcher, she noted that the 30 per cent quota granted by the government to women was a huge plus to women in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTrust me, the GEWE act passed by parliament last year (2023) \u2013 was a huge success for the large number of women we presently see in parliament and the current government of President Bio. I hope such a huge win will continue forever in our country,\u201d she added. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also indicated further that the government did well by passing the law and served as a reminder that what men can do\u2013women can do better.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am a trader with little interest in politics, but I must state that in last year’s election, we really saw the large participation of women in the country\u2019s body politics. For instance, I am aware that because of the passing into law of the GEWE Act, both major political parties gave safe seats\/spaces to women, and now our parliament can boast of the highest-ever women representation than any time in our political history,\u201d Fatmata Dumbuya, a petty trader in Freetown, explained her experience regarding the impact of the GEWE Act. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mohamed Jabati, a youth activist, told this researcher that he is more than happy as a youth leader to see women taking centre stage in the country\u2019s developmental trajectory. He noted that as a leader, he is leading both male and female people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor me, the gender equality act was a huge deal for women in the country. The president and his government did very well to have lobbied the parliament to pass into law the said act\u2013granting the women folks the aged 30 per cent quota they\u2019d clamoured for years,\u201d <\/em>Jabati noted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How the Act impacted political parties\u2019 decisions during the 2023 national elections  <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The GEWE Act\u2013was to promote the robust participation and empowerment of women in all walks of life in the country\u2019s national development trajectory. That was evidenced in the decisions of major political parties in the country\u2014including the ruling Sierra Leone\u2019s People\u2019s Party (SLPP), and the main opposition party\u2013All People\u2019s Congress (APC), during the national elections.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both the SLPP and APC political parties offered \u201csafe political spaces\u201d to women<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During the June 24, 2023, nationwide polls\u2014both the Sierra Leone People\u2019s Party – SLPP<\/a>, and the main opposition All People\u2019s Congress – APC<\/a> parties\u2013agreed to give the country\u2019s women, who are about 51 per cent of the country\u2019s population, the opportunity to occupy safe political spaces<\/a> within the political parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is obvious that prior to enacting tthe GEWE Act, Sierra Leone\u2019s female parliamentary representation was 14.5 per cent,<\/a> which was below the 18.4 percent average recommended for female MP representation in West Africa by IPU\u2019s regional averages data for female MPs in the subregion. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of the new law, the present percentage of women MPs is at\u201330.4 per cent.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This accounts for 41 seats occupied by women MPs out of 135 in the June nationwide polls in the West African state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Government\u2019s reaction to the continuous empowerment of women after the 2023 polls<\/strong>  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apart from parliamentary roles, the present government continues to empower women by giving them cabinet and other executive positions in the state’s day-to-day administration.   <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now referred to as the \u201cWomen\u2019s Champion\u201d<\/strong> by the UN Women \u2013Sierra Leone<\/a>\u2013 an international women\u2019s organisation, <\/strong>the president has made landmark appointments of women in strategic political positions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One key appointment was that of the First Female Attorney-General and Minister of Justice \u2013 Dr Pricella Schartz<\/a>. Again, the first female Acting Speaker of Parliament, Veronica Kadie Sesay<\/a> \u2014 of the ruling SLPP\u2013was elected by the \u201cHouse of Parliament.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women\u2019s groups\u2019 reaction regarding President Bio\u2019s appointments of women in strategic positions <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Women\u2019s groups (including the 50\/50<\/strong> Group,<\/strong> Sierra<\/strong> Leone<\/strong> Association<\/strong> of<\/strong> Women<\/strong> in<\/strong> Journalism<\/strong> (SLAWiJ),<\/strong> Women<\/strong> in<\/strong> Journalism<\/strong> Sierra<\/strong> Leone<\/strong> (WiMSAL), and<\/strong> UN<\/strong> Women <\/strong>expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the president and his government for the significant female appointments to his cabinet and even to the civil and public services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These groups also commended not only the parliament for passing the GEWE Act into law but also the First Lady of the Land for her resilience and passion for women.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Huge political and financial support mechanisms<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Act spurred the establishment of support mechanisms for women in politics, such as training programmes, mentorship initiatives, and financial support to help female candidates campaign effectively, and that greatly helped most of them to win the positions or parliamentary seats they have vied for together with their male counterparts from other political parties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Increase in female representation during the recent polls <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a direct consequence of the quota system, the number of women candidates who contested in the 2023 elections was higher than in previous elections. This increased the likelihood of women being elected and holding positions of power within the government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Massive political engagements  <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The presence of a legal framework encouraging women’s political participation empowered more women to become politically active and engage in campaigns. The Act provided a sense of legitimacy and encouraged more women to take leadership roles within their parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Famous Social Media Influencer and Brand Ambassador\u2019s Perspective <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Vickie Remoe<\/a> is one of Sierra Leone\u2019s most popular social media influencers and marketing experts. In her social media post, she praised the government of President Bio for honouring the age-old calls for women to be given \u201cequal\u201d opportunities with their male counterparts in Sierra Leone\u2019s developmental trajectory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She noted that the Act is a huge achievement for the women in the country.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Overall, the GEWE Act is dubbed as a catalyst for change in Sierra Leone, fostering a more inclusive political environment and contributing to a significant increase in women’s participation in the 2023 national elections and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Act is unarguably a landmark legislation aimed at promoting gender equality and increasing women’s representation in various sectors, including politics, law, banking, the private sector, and other significant fields. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In 2023, history was made in Sierra Leone when the president, Julius Maada Bio, signed into law the Gender Equality and Empowerment Act. The law was to promote and empower women across many fields of endeavour. This article examines the law’s impact on Sierra Leone\u2019s political landscape, focusing on the women\u2019s 30 per cent quota act during and after the nationwide elections on June 24, 2023. The small West African nation has long been a patriarchal society, with female counterparts reduced to the \u201cbackyards\u201d of their homes and communities.  In November 2022, the country\u2019s law-making arm passed \u201cThe Gender Equality and Women\u2019s Empowerment\u201d Act (commonly called the \u2018GEWE\u2019 Act). In January 2023, President Julius Maada Bio assented to the Bill and gave the new law power of expression. This Act undeniably and significantly helped to change the male-domination narratives that had, for a very long time, surrounded the country\u2019s political, social, economic, education, and other key sectors within Sierra Leone’s borders.    The GEWE Act grants Sierra Leonean women the 30 per cent quota they had clamoured for against both past and present governments for ages; fortunately, the act, via the strong fight of the country\u2019s First Lady, Ms Dr Fatima Maada Bio, together with partners and strong women\u2019s groups, championed the passing into law of the GEWE Act, providing women with huge opportunities in all walks of life in the small West African nation of Sierra Leone.    GEWE Act passed into law  The clamour for a 30 per cent quota by women, including women\u2019s groups like the famous 50\/50 Women\u2019s Group, Sierra Leone\u2019s Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ), and UN Women, was long overdue. It was time for Sierra Leone\u2019s women population to make a \u201cbreakthrough into various professional areas\u201d in the country.  The law was passed with support and lobbying from different women groups, including the \u201cHe4She\u201d campaigners. As stated earlier, the act grants women the right to strategic positions in their numerous places of work and professions.  More than a year on, DUBAWA gauges citizens\u2019 views regarding the impact of the GEWE Act Citizens\u2013who are undoubtedly the most important people who have the power to make political decisions\/changes in every electoral process\u2014could not be left out of this research finding. The reporter randomly sought the views of some Freetownians regarding the impact of the 30 per cent quota granted to women via the GEWE Act.   Susan Massaquoi is a mother of two and a private worker in Freetown. Speaking to this researcher, she noted that the 30 per cent quota granted by the government to women was a huge plus to women in the country. \u201cTrust me, the GEWE act passed by parliament last year (2023) \u2013 was a huge success for the large number of women we presently see in parliament and the current government of President Bio. I hope such a huge win will continue forever in our country,\u201d she added.  She also indicated further that the government did well by passing the law and served as a reminder that what men can do\u2013women can do better.  \u201cI am a trader with little interest in politics, but I must state that in last year’s election, we really saw the large participation of women in the country\u2019s body politics. For instance, I am aware that because of the passing into law of the GEWE Act, both major political parties gave safe seats\/spaces to women, and now our parliament can boast of the highest-ever women representation than any time in our political history,\u201d Fatmata Dumbuya, a petty trader in Freetown, explained her experience regarding the impact of the GEWE Act.  Mohamed Jabati, a youth activist, told this researcher that he is more than happy as a youth leader to see women taking centre stage in the country\u2019s developmental trajectory. He noted that as a leader, he is leading both male and female people. \u201cFor me, the gender equality act was a huge deal for women in the country. The president and his government did very well to have lobbied the parliament to pass into law the said act\u2013granting the women folks the aged 30 per cent quota they\u2019d clamoured for years,\u201d Jabati noted.  How the Act impacted political parties\u2019 decisions during the 2023 national elections   The GEWE Act\u2013was to promote the robust participation and empowerment of women in all walks of life in the country\u2019s national development trajectory. That was evidenced in the decisions of major political parties in the country\u2014including the ruling Sierra Leone\u2019s People\u2019s Party (SLPP), and the main opposition party\u2013All People\u2019s Congress (APC), during the national elections.   Both the SLPP and APC political parties offered \u201csafe political spaces\u201d to women During the June 24, 2023, nationwide polls\u2014both the Sierra Leone People\u2019s Party – SLPP, and the main opposition All People\u2019s Congress – APC parties\u2013agreed to give the country\u2019s women, who are about 51 per cent of the country\u2019s population, the opportunity to occupy safe political spaces within the political parties. It is obvious that prior to enacting tthe GEWE Act, Sierra Leone\u2019s female parliamentary representation was 14.5 per cent, which was below the 18.4 percent average recommended for female MP representation in West Africa by IPU\u2019s regional averages data for female MPs in the subregion.  As a result of the new law, the present percentage of women MPs is at\u201330.4 per cent. This accounts for 41 seats occupied by women MPs out of 135 in the June nationwide polls in the West African state.  Government\u2019s reaction to the continuous empowerment of women after the 2023 polls   Apart from parliamentary roles, the present government continues to empower women by giving them cabinet and other executive positions in the state’s day-to-day administration.    Now referred to as the \u201cWomen\u2019s Champion\u201d by the UN Women \u2013Sierra Leone\u2013 an international women\u2019s organisation, the president has made landmark appointments of women in strategic political positions.  One key appointment was that of the First Female Attorney-General and Minister of Justice \u2013 Dr Pricella Schartz. Again, the first female Acting Speaker<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20381,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"hannibal_claim_source":"","hannibal_source_label":"","hannibal_card_color":"blue","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":false,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"default","_twitter_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type":"default","_pinterest_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"default","_medium_share_type":"","_threads_share_type":"","_google_business_share_type":"","_bluesky_share_type":"","_mastodon_share_type":"","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[1572,210,435,3812,3815,1268],"tags":[],"verdict":[],"ppma_author":[3442],"class_list":["post-20380","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-explainers","category-analysis","category-article","category-headline","category-homepage","category-sierra-leone"],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8R6dE-5iI","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"authors":[{"term_id":3442,"user_id":0,"is_guest":1,"slug":"fayia-j-moseray","display_name":"Fayia J. 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