By Millicent Senava Mannah
The enactment of Sierra Leone’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act in 2020 marked a pivotal step toward promoting gender equality and uplifting the status of women across various sectors in the country. Designed as a comprehensive framework to address the systemic obstacles faced by women, the GEWE Act has led to notable strides in politics, economic inclusion and health, although significant challenges remain. The continued success of this legislation relies on ongoing commitment and concerted efforts from all stakeholders.
One of the standout successes of the GEWE Act has been its role in enhancing women’s political participation. The law mandates that at least 30% of positions in Local Councils and Government be occupied by women. This legal provision has gradually increased women’s representation in politics, creating a more inclusive and diverse political landscape. Although the target has not been fully met, there has been a clear shift toward more balanced gender representation in decision-making roles, setting the stage for further progress.
Another significant achievement of the GEWE Act is its reinforcement of legal protections for women against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The legislation introduced stricter penalties for offenders and established improved support systems for survivors, including more accessible services and resources. This has raised awareness of GBV issues, encouraged more women to come forward and report incidents and promoted a more robust societal stance against violence.
The Act has also spurred various programs aimed at empowering women economically. Initiatives that focus on providing women with training in entrepreneurship and greater access to credit are gradually taking shape. These programs are designed to enhance women’s economic independence, offering them more opportunities to contribute to the country’s economic growth. Despite early successes, however, challenges related to access and implementations persist, particularly in rural areas.
Educational and health rights have been critical focuses of the GEWE Act. Efforts are underway to ensure that girls have equal access to education, as well as to expand reproductive health services to better meet women’s specific needs. This focus on education and health is integral to building a society where women can thrive and contribute fully, both socially and economically.
A notable requirement of the GEWE Act is the mainstreaming of gender considerations across all Government policies and programs. This approach ensures that governance at all levels is responsive to the specific needs of women, fostering a more equitable and gender-sensitive administrative environment.
Despite these achievements, several provisions of the GEWE Act remain under-realized. The challenges are multifaceted and require a coordinated response to bridge the gaps between policy and practice.
The most pressing issue is the gap between the law and its on-the-ground implementation. Provisions related to women’s economic empowerment and political representation, while well-articulated, face obstacles in execution, particularly due to limited resources and political will at the local level. In some cases, the lack of infrastructure or necessary support systems impedes effective enforcement of these provisions.
Deep-rooted cultural norms and gender roles also pose significant barriers to progress. In many communities, traditional views on the roles of women continue to hinder their full participation in politics and economic activities. Overcoming these societal attitudes requires not just legal reforms but also a shift in cultural mindsets, which is a long-term process.
While some initiatives are in place to promote economic empowerment, many women still face significant obstacles in accessing credit, land and training opportunities. Structural barriers in the financial and agricultural sectors persist, particularly in rural areas, limiting the potential of women to become economically self-sufficient.
There remains a considerable lack of public awareness about the GEWE Act and the rights it guarantees. Many women, especially those in remote regions, are unaware of their entitlements under the law, limiting their ability to seek justice, access services or assert their rights. Greater efforts are needed to raise awareness and ensure that women across Sierra Leone understand the protections and opportunities available to them.
A critical issue is the lack of reliable data to monitor and evaluate the impact of the GEWE Act. Effective tracking of progress requires comprehensive data on women’s status in various sectors, yet data collection and analysis efforts remain inadequate. Without reliable statistics, it is difficult to measure the true impact of the Act or identify areas where additional efforts are needed.
The GEWE Act stands as a landmark piece of legislation in Sierra Leone’s journey toward gender equality and women’s empowerment. While the Act has achieved significant progress, especially in increasing political representation and bolstering legal protections against gender-based violence, much work remains.
Addressing the persistent gaps will require sustained collaboration between the Government, Civil Society and international partners. By tackling implementation challenges, promoting cultural change and expanding economic opportunities, the full potential of the GEWE Act can be realized, creating a more equitable and just society for all Sierra Leoneans.
