- So far women are poorly represented in Sierra Leonean politics. Sierra Leone is also ranked 182nd out of 189 countries on the UN’s 2020 Gender Development Index.
- However, Sierra Leone’s government is set to correct the situation and bring more gender equality.
So far women are poorly represented in Sierra Leonean politics. Sierra Leone is also ranked 182nd out of 189 countries on the UN’s 2020 Gender Development Index. However, Sierra Leone’s government is set to correct the situation and bring more gender equality .
The country has introduced a new bill to ensure that 30 percent of parliamentary seats and cabinet positions for women. This is in line with President Julius Maada Bio’s 2018 campaign where he had made a pledge to boost women’s representation in politics. The bill would earmark 30 percent of seats in Sierra Leone’s 146-seat parliament for women. Similarly 30 percent of cabinet posts will also go to women. Currently, only eighteen MPs in the country are women, representing about 12 percent of the total. And there are only four female members in President Bio’s 32-member cabinet.
Presenting the bill to lawmakers, Gender Minister Manty Tarawalli stated that the law would transform the dynamics for women and open opportunities. It will also improve women’s access to finance, and also connect government spending to boost gender equality. Parliamentary debates are planned soon before the voting of the lawmakers will take place.
