Female Caucus President Urges Women’s Empowerment Through Training
The President of the Parliamentary Female Caucus in the Sierra Leone Parliament, Hon. Bernadette Wuyata Songa, has urged women across the country to prioritize capacity building as a pathway to securing more leadership positions. She made this call on Thursday, March 6, 2025, during a two-day High-Level Policy Dialogue Forum at the Miatta Conference Center in Freetown, held in commemoration of International Women’s Day under the theme: “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment.”
Hon. Wuyata Songa emphasized that while women continue to face significant challenges, their resilience remains unwavering. She reflected on the difficulties female politicians encountered in the Fifth Parliament while striving for re-election to the Sixth Parliament. She cited the passage of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Bill as a milestone that has enabled more women to secure parliamentary seats. The lawmaker underscored the critical role of capacity building in enhancing women’s representation and stressed the need for quality education as a foundation for empowerment.
Addressing the importance of budgetary allocations for gender empowerment within government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), Hon. Wuyata Songa called for increased investment in programs that strengthen women’s leadership abilities. She shared her personal experiences in the Fifth Parliament, recalling instances when some male colleagues attempted to intimidate her during debates. However, she noted that perseverance and capacity building helped her navigate these challenges.
“How do we sustain the gains made in women’s representation in governance?” she asked, urging stakeholders and donor partners to identify and address gaps that hinder women’s progress in leadership. She reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to fostering women’s capacity development and called for collective efforts to consolidate and expand the achievements made in gender representation.
