Last Wednesday, the British High Commissioner, Guy Warrington, hosted an event at his residence in Freetown, bringing together a group of female Parliamentarians to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing women in politics in Sierra Leone.
This event follows the return of independent Sierra Leonean MP, Hon. Emilia Tongi, from the Women MPs of the World Conference of Female Parliamentarians in London to mark the 100-year anniversary of legislation, which first gave women in the UK the right to vote.
Hon Tongire represents Constituency 001 in Kailahun district, Eastern Sierra Leone. She is one of only 17 female Members of Parliament out of a total of 132 seats. Her participation at the Women MPs of the World Conference was supported by the British Government.
The low representation of women in Parliament, worldwide, was one of the key issues discussed at the global conference.
UK Aid worked closely with the Sierra Leone government and civil society partners during the 2018 elections to support the political participation of women. This includedtargeted civic and voter education to empower women to vote; efforts to help break down stigma around electing female candidates in online and print media; support to hosting a televised debate of female candidates; and, following the election, induction training to newly-elected MPs and female councillors.
Mary Hunt, the Head of UK aid in Sierra Leone, said: “The UK was proud to host both the global conference, and the local event in Freetown, which brought together female MPs from across Sierra Leone. Getting more women into politics gives a voice to women and girls, creates female role models and leads to legislation and work which tackles gender inequalities and discrimination.”
Hon EmeliaLolohTongi said “The London conference was a wonderful event. I learneda lot of things – strategies and techniques – how to sensitise those wanting to join the political arena. Sensitisation should start from schools, encouraging young girls, bringing Parliament to the schools. This is where debates start.”
The British High Commissioner said that he was delighted to be able to invite the entire Women’s caucus to his house for lunch, but was disappointed that they could all still fit around one dining table. “There was much that was good about the March 2018 elections but the reduced number of women elected to Parliament was a step backwards. The female MPs here today should be an inspiration to generations of young women to come. I look forward to the time when this residence is not big enough to hold such a meeting”.