By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown, Sierra Leone — August 4, 2025: The Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) has called on all political parties in Sierra Leone to urgently develop and implement internal strategies that will ensure a minimum 30% quota for women’s representation in party executive positions, as mandated by national law.
The call comes in the wake of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP)’s 14th National Delegates Conference, held on July 30–31, 2025, where elections were conducted for 15 key national executive roles. While CGG commended the transparent conduct of the polls and congratulated the two women elected as Deputy Organizing Secretary and Treasurer, the organization expressed concern that the overall composition of the new executive falls short of the legal requirement.
CGG highlighted that the outcome of the SLPP elections does not meet the provisions of Part IX, Section 42 of the Political Parties Act, which stipulates that political parties must have at least 30% female representation in executive positions from ward to national level. The organization also noted that this shortfall undermines the progress made through the Public Elections Act 2022 and the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act 2022.
CGG urged all political parties to take “immediate, concrete and decisive steps” to implement internal reforms that promote gender inclusion. The organization reminded stakeholders that the issue of women’s underrepresentation was first flagged in the 2004 Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, yet voluntary reforms have remained elusive.
“Political parties, as gatekeepers of democratic participation, must lead by example,” CGG stated. “Inclusive governance is not just a legal obligation—it is a democratic imperative.”
CGG further encouraged party leadership to review existing gender policies and develop progressive frameworks where none exist. These should include nomination procedures that guarantee space for women in leadership roles. According to CGG, such measures are essential to ensuring that women not only enter but remain and thrive within political party structures.
The organization emphasized that Sierra Leone cannot achieve sustainable development without the active participation of women in decision-making processes. “The perspectives of half the population must be reflected in our democratic institutions,” CGG asserted.
CGG reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Government of Sierra Leone, political parties, civil society, and other stakeholders to ensure that gender equality provisions are fully implemented and become a lived reality.