Sierra Leone’s First Lady Fatima Bio has called on Members of Parliament to approve key provisions in the Constitutional Amendment Bill that would embed gender inclusion through a proportional representation electoral system.
Addressing lawmakers on the day of the landmark debate, Mrs Bio pressed them to use their votes to advance a more inclusive democracy.
“Your vote today will determine whether Sierra Leone takes a bold step towards a more inclusive, representative, and equitable democracy,” she said.
In a Facebook statement, the First Lady argued that adopting the proportional representation measure would underscore the country’s commitment to gender equity and ensure women play a stronger role in national decision-making.
She noted that proportional systems worldwide have consistently improved women’s presence in elected office.
Bio stressed that the push is not for preferential treatment but for equal opportunity.
“No nation can achieve sustainable progress while half of its population remains underrepresented in its highest decision-making institutions,” she wrote, urging MPs to set aside partisan differences and support meaningful political inclusion for women.
She concluded by appealing to Parliament to be remembered as the body that chose equality and affirmed women’s rightful place in building the nation.
The ongoing debate is widely viewed as a pivotal test for Sierra Leone’s democratic trajectory, with the question of women’s representation at its centre.
