Freetown, Sierra Leone –The Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica) has underscored the importance of gender equality in governance and the role of women in shaping the future of national Parliaments. In a significant step towards empowering women in Sierra Leone’s legislative processes, PNAfrica’s representative delivered a compelling statement at the Female Parliamentary Caucus Retreat which was attended by key stakeholders and female Members of Parliament (MPs).

Parliamentary Network Africa in partnership with the Parliament of Sierra Leone, World Vision and UN Women organised the three-day retreat for the Female Caucus of the Parliament. With the passage of the country’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, the number of women in the Sierra Leone House of Parliament more than doubled, from 19 to 42 in last year’s elections.

The statement, delivered on behalf of PNAfrica by the acting Country Coordinator, Madam Florence Gbolu, began with warm greetings from the PNAfrica team and Ghana. It highlighted the organization’s unwavering commitment to advancing parliamentary transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness across Africa. Emphasizing the necessity of including women’s voices at all decision-making levels, PNAfrica’s message resonated deeply with the participants.

Recognition of Progress and Ongoing Challenges

PNAfrica commended Sierra Leone for its strides in promoting women’s political participation. However, the statement acknowledged the existing challenges that still need to be addressed to achieve full gender equality in the parliamentary system. The retreat was described as an invaluable opportunity to reflect on progress, identify ongoing challenges, and strategize on effective solutions.

Key Areas of Focus

Capacity Building for Female MPs: PNAfrica is dedicated to providing continuous support to female MPs through capacity-building initiatives. The organization aims to equip female legislators with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate the legislative landscape effectively and advocate for gender-responsive policies.

Collaboration and Networking: Highlighting the power of collaboration, PNAfrica fosters strong connections between female MPs across Africa. By sharing best practices and learning from each other’s experiences, the network collectively advances the cause of gender equality in their respective parliaments.

Legislative Monitoring and Advocacy: PNAfrica supports legislative monitoring and advocacy efforts to ensure that gender equality remains a priority on the parliamentary agenda. The organization encourages female MPs to lead initiatives promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in all legislative processes.

Education and Awareness: PNAfrica is committed to engaging with parliamentarians in promoting gender equality through education and raising awareness among constituents about the importance of women’s participation in politics and the societal benefits it brings.

Achievements and Future Plans

PNAfrica’s achievements in promoting open parliaments and gender equality across Africa were also highlighted. Notably, the Gender Advocacy to Parliament (GAP) project in Ghana was mentioned as a successful initiative that brought together female MPs and their constituents to enhance women’s understanding of their rights and roles in parliamentary decision-making. PNAfrica envisions replicating similar initiatives in Sierra Leone.

The organization announced the upcoming launch of the second edition of the Open Parliament Index, which will assess the level of openness and inclusiveness of parliaments, including gender representation, across West, Eastern, and Southern Africa. PNAfrica invited Sierra Leone to participate actively in this assessment and use the findings to drive further reforms.

Additionally, PNAfrica will introduce a Legislative Compendium, showcasing the collective efforts and significant milestones achieved by Sierra Leone’s parliament during the last legislative session.

A Call for Collective Effort

In closing, PNAfrica’s statement emphasized that the journey toward gender equality in parliament is a collective effort requiring unwavering commitment, collaboration, and the courage to challenge the status quo. The organization reaffirmed its support for Sierra Leone’s female MPs, expressing readiness to provide the necessary resources to achieve a gender-inclusive parliament.

The statement concluded with a heartfelt appreciation for the dedication and hard work of all participants, expressing optimism that together, they can create a more equitable and inclusive legislative environment for the women of Sierra Leone and future generations.

Source: PNAfrica Comms

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