The President of the Parliamentary Female Caucus in the Sierra Leone Parliament, Hon. Bernadette Wuyata Songa, on Thursday, 6th March 2025, urged women across the country to actively pursue capacity-building initiatives to enhance their prospects for leadership and positions of trust.
Speaking at a two-day High-Level Policy Dialogue Forum in commemoration of International Women’s Day at the Miatta Conference Center in Freetown, Hon. Wuyata Songa emphasized the importance of empowerment under the theme: “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment.”
Hon. Wuyata Songa acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by women but commended their resilience in overcoming barriers. She reflected on the difficulties female parliamentarians encountered in securing re-election from the Fifth to the Sixth Parliament, highlighting the pivotal role of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Bill, which facilitated greater female representation. She underscored that capacity-building remains a crucial factor in advancing women’s participation in governance.
The lawmaker also stressed the need for quality education as a fundamental pillar for women’s empowerment. Additionally, she advocated for increased budgetary allocations in all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to support gender empowerment initiatives.
Sharing her personal experiences in the Fifth Parliament, Hon. Wuyata Songa recounted instances where some male colleagues attempted to intimidate her during debates. However, she affirmed that perseverance and empowerment enabled her to rise above such challenges.
Posing a critical question, she asked: “How do we sustain the gains made in women’s representation in governance?” She called on fellow citizens and development partners to identify and address gaps in women’s participation, ensuring sustainable progress toward gender equality.
Hon. Wuyata Songa reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to strengthening women’s capacities and expanding opportunities for them in leadership. She urged all stakeholders to build on the achievements made in women’s representation and continue advancing gender equality in governance and beyond.
