{"id":2026,"date":"2026-01-16T09:38:47","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T09:38:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parliament.gov.sl\/slefpac\/?page_id=2026"},"modified":"2026-01-16T10:56:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T10:56:43","slug":"gender-related-debate","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/parliament.gov.sl\/slefpac\/gender-related-debate\/","title":{"rendered":"Gender Related Debate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Here are verified examples of specific motions, bills, debates and parliamentary actions where the Sierra Leone Female Parliamentary Caucus has influenced outcomes relating to SGBV (Sexual and Gender-Based Violence), women\u2019s rights, and child rights:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024<\/strong><br><strong>What it was:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A Private Member\u2019s Bill that became law in June 2024 banning child marriage \u2014 protecting girls under 18 and creating legal provisions for annulment, protection of victims, and penalties. This law is a major child-rights victory.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sierraleonemonitor.com\/sierra-leone-parliament-passes-the-prohibition-of-child-marriage-act\/?utm\">https:\/\/www.sierraleonemonitor.com\/sierra-leone-parliament-passes-the-prohibition-of-child-marriage-act\/?utm<\/a><br><strong>Female Caucus involvement:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hon. Mariama Munia Zombo<\/strong>, a female MP, <em>piloted<\/em> the bill in Parliament, presenting evidence and arguing its necessity.<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sierraleonemonitor.com\/sierra-leone-parliament-passes-the-prohibition-of-child-marriage-act\/?utm\">https:\/\/www.sierraleonemonitor.com\/sierra-leone-parliament-passes-the-prohibition-of-child-marriage-act\/?utm<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Hon. Zainab Catherine Tarawally<\/strong> (female MP and Chair of the Gender Committee) supported and elaborated on the bill during the debates \u2014 helping secure passage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-sierra-leone-monitor wp-block-embed-sierra-leone-monitor\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"sqH67EUOfM\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sierraleonemonitor.com\/sierra-leone-parliament-passes-the-prohibition-of-child-marriage-act\/\">Sierra Leone Parliament Passes the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Sierra Leone Parliament Passes the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act&#8221; &#8212; Sierra Leone Monitor\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sierraleonemonitor.com\/sierra-leone-parliament-passes-the-prohibition-of-child-marriage-act\/embed\/#?secret=4r6c3P3Tur#?secret=sqH67EUOfM\" data-secret=\"sqH67EUOfM\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Female MPs, including caucus members, <em>advocated<\/em> for the bill and lobbied colleagues across party lines to secure its approval.<br><a href=\"https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/female-parliamentary-caucus-supports-child-rights-bill-2024\/?utm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/female-parliamentary-caucus-supports-child-rights-bill-2024\/?utm<\/a><br><strong>Impact:<\/strong> This law directly strengthens child protection and tackles a root cause of SGBV and girls\u2019 marginalization by outlawing early marriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. Engagement and Support for the Child Rights Bill 2024<\/strong><strong>What happened:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before the Child Rights Bill was formally tabled for plenary debate, the <strong>Female Parliamentary Caucus<\/strong> met with the Ministry of Gender and Children\u2019s Affairs to review and advise on the draft. They were asked to <em>lobby male MPs<\/em> and shape legislative support for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-sierraloaded wp-block-embed-sierraloaded\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"ep7UTzFlT9\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sierraloaded.sl\/news\/minister-gender-female-mps-anti-child-marriage-child-rights-act\/\">Gender Minister Engages Female MPs on Anti-Child Marriage and Child Rights Act<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Gender Minister Engages Female MPs on Anti-Child Marriage and Child Rights Act&#8221; &#8212; Sierraloaded\" src=\"https:\/\/sierraloaded.sl\/news\/minister-gender-female-mps-anti-child-marriage-child-rights-act\/embed\/#?secret=6NNRSKmsaS#?secret=ep7UTzFlT9\" data-secret=\"ep7UTzFlT9\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Specific involvement:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Caucus leaders like <strong>Hon. Bernadette Wayatta Songa<\/strong> and <strong>Hon. Veronica Sesay<\/strong> publicly committed to supporting the Bill and highlighted the importance of legislative refinement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/female-parliamentary-caucus-supports-child-rights-bill-2024\/?utm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/female-parliamentary-caucus-supports-child-rights-bill-2024\/?utm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They participated in the <strong>harmonization of child protection laws<\/strong>, including challenging provisions around Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and pushing for stronger protections in the new law.<a href=\"https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/female-parliamentary-caucus-supports-child-rights-bill-2024\/?utm\">https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/female-parliamentary-caucus-supports-child-rights-bill-2024\/?utm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Outcome:<\/em> While the Bill faced resistance in Parliament (including postponements and debates over cultural issues), the Female Caucus has played a key role in <strong>keeping child-rights legislation alive in parliamentary discussions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. Workshops on Implementation of the Sexual Offences Act<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Event:<\/strong><br>The Parliamentary Female Caucus <strong>hosted and concluded a multi-day workshop<\/strong> on the <strong>Sexual Offences Act of 2012 and its 2019 amendment<\/strong> to strengthen implementation, oversight, and enforcement.<a href=\"https:\/\/sierraloaded.sl\/news\/female-caucus-sexual-offences-act-implementation\/?utm\">https:\/\/sierraloaded.sl\/news\/female-caucus-sexual-offences-act-implementation\/?utm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Caucus contribution:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Led by <strong>Hon. Bernadette Wuyata Songa<\/strong>, the workshop brought together stakeholders to identify enforcement challenges and develop strategies for parliamentary oversight of this critical law against SGBV.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-sierraloaded wp-block-embed-sierraloaded\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"l4RNDZdYyB\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sierraloaded.sl\/news\/female-caucus-sexual-offences-act-implementation\/\">Parliamentary Female Caucus Concludes Workshop on Sexual Offences Act Implementation<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Parliamentary Female Caucus Concludes Workshop on Sexual Offences Act Implementation&#8221; &#8212; Sierraloaded\" src=\"https:\/\/sierraloaded.sl\/news\/female-caucus-sexual-offences-act-implementation\/embed\/#?secret=kulmjApFf4#?secret=l4RNDZdYyB\" data-secret=\"l4RNDZdYyB\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Significance:<\/em> This reflects how the caucus influences <strong>policy enforcement<\/strong>, not just lawmaking \u2014 by mobilizing MPs and stakeholders to ensure existing protections against sexual violence are implemented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. Engagement and Advocacy on the Safe Motherhood \/ Reproductive Health Bill<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Situation:<\/strong><br>Although not exclusively an SGBV law, the <em>Safe Motherhood Bill<\/em> was presented in late 2024 to help improve reproductive health services for women and girls. Female caucus members came out <em>strongly in support<\/em> during parliamentary consideration.<a href=\"https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/parliament-tables-landmark-bill-for-reproductive-health\/?utm\">https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/parliament-tables-landmark-bill-for-reproductive-health\/?utm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Role of Female MPs:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Leaders from the caucus, including its president and committee chairs, emphasized the need to pass the bill because women\u2019s lives are endangered without it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/parliament-tables-landmark-bill-for-reproductive-health\/?utm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/parliament-tables-landmark-bill-for-reproductive-health\/?utm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Connection to SGBV\/rights:<\/em> Improved maternal health laws help reduce maternal deaths \u2014 a key issue affecting women and girls, especially survivors of sexual violence or early pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5. Women, Peace, and Security Parliamentary Resolution<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Historical example:<\/strong><br>Back in 2019, <strong>Hon. Veronica Kadi Sesay<\/strong>, then President of the Female Caucus, moved a motion that led Parliament to adopt a <strong>Resolution on Women, Peace and Security<\/strong> \u2014 bringing global commitments (UNSCR 1325\/1820) into national legislative focus. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.undp.org\/sierra-leone\/news\/undps-work-parliaments-contributes-sierra-leone-adoption-resolution-women-peace-and-security?utm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">https:\/\/www.undp.org\/sierra-leone\/news\/undps-work-parliaments-contributes-sierra-leone-adoption-resolution-women-peace-and-security?utm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What this achieved:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Prompted commitments to amend discriminatory constitutional provisions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pushed for fast-tracking Child Rights Act reforms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Placed gender mainstreaming and women\u2019s protection firmly on parliamentary agenda.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.undp.org\/sierra-leone\/news\/undps-work-parliaments-contributes-sierra-leone-adoption-resolution-women-peace-and-security?utm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">https:\/\/www.undp.org\/sierra-leone\/news\/undps-work-parliaments-contributes-sierra-leone-adoption-resolution-women-peace-and-security?utm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Significance:<\/em> This is a <strong>formal parliamentary motion<\/strong> that shaped legislative priorities around women\u2019s rights and protection from violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Summary of Key Legislative\/Parliamentary Influences<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Action \/ Bill \/ Motion<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Caucus Role<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Outcome<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><em>Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024<\/em><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Sponsorship &amp; debate leadership by female MPs<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Child marriage outlawed (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sierraleonemonitor.com\/sierra-leone-parliament-passes-the-prohibition-of-child-marriage-act\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Sierra Leone Monitor<\/a>)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><em>Child Rights Bill (2024\/2025)<\/em><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Early technical review, advocacy, lobbying<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Ongoing parliamentary consideration (<a href=\"https:\/\/sierraloaded.sl\/news\/minister-gender-female-mps-anti-child-marriage-child-rights-act\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Sierraloaded<\/a>)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><em>Sexual Offences Act Implementation Workshop<\/em><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Organized caucus-led oversight training<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Strengthened enforcement focus (<a href=\"https:\/\/sierraloaded.sl\/news\/female-caucus-sexual-offences-act-implementation\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Sierraloaded<\/a>)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><em>Safe Motherhood\/Reproductive Health Bill<\/em><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Vocal caucus support<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Improved women\u2019s healthcare policy discussion (<a href=\"https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/parliament-tables-landmark-bill-for-reproductive-health\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Forum News<\/a>)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><em>Women, Peace and Security Resolution<\/em><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Motion moved in Parliament<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Formal gender-rights commitment in parliamentary business (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.undp.org\/sierra-leone\/news\/undps-work-parliaments-contributes-sierra-leone-adoption-resolution-women-peace-and-security?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">UNDP<\/a>)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>See links:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-sierra-leone-monitor wp-block-embed-sierra-leone-monitor\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"sqH67EUOfM\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sierraleonemonitor.com\/sierra-leone-parliament-passes-the-prohibition-of-child-marriage-act\/\">Sierra Leone Parliament Passes the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Sierra Leone Parliament Passes the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act&#8221; &#8212; Sierra Leone Monitor\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sierraleonemonitor.com\/sierra-leone-parliament-passes-the-prohibition-of-child-marriage-act\/embed\/#?secret=4r6c3P3Tur#?secret=sqH67EUOfM\" data-secret=\"sqH67EUOfM\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-sierraloaded wp-block-embed-sierraloaded\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"ep7UTzFlT9\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sierraloaded.sl\/news\/minister-gender-female-mps-anti-child-marriage-child-rights-act\/\">Gender Minister Engages Female MPs on Anti-Child Marriage and Child Rights Act<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Gender Minister Engages Female MPs on Anti-Child Marriage and Child Rights Act&#8221; &#8212; Sierraloaded\" src=\"https:\/\/sierraloaded.sl\/news\/minister-gender-female-mps-anti-child-marriage-child-rights-act\/embed\/#?secret=6NNRSKmsaS#?secret=ep7UTzFlT9\" data-secret=\"ep7UTzFlT9\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-sierraloaded wp-block-embed-sierraloaded\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"l4RNDZdYyB\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sierraloaded.sl\/news\/female-caucus-sexual-offences-act-implementation\/\">Parliamentary Female Caucus Concludes Workshop on Sexual Offences Act Implementation<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Parliamentary Female Caucus Concludes Workshop on Sexual Offences Act Implementation&#8221; &#8212; Sierraloaded\" src=\"https:\/\/sierraloaded.sl\/news\/female-caucus-sexual-offences-act-implementation\/embed\/#?secret=kulmjApFf4#?secret=l4RNDZdYyB\" data-secret=\"l4RNDZdYyB\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/parliament-tables-landmark-bill-for-reproductive-health\/?utm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/parliament-tables-landmark-bill-for-reproductive-health\/?utm<\/strong><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.undp.org\/sierra-leone\/news\/undps-work-parliaments-contributes-sierra-leone-adoption-resolution-women-peace-and-security?utm\"><strong>https:\/\/www.undp.org\/sierra-leone\/news\/undps-work-parliaments-contributes-sierra-leone-adoption-resolution-women-peace-and-security?utm<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why These Matter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Female Caucus doesn\u2019t just draft laws \u2014 it shapes debates, mobilizes cross-party support, engages civil society and ministries, and strengthens legislative accountability on issues of violence and rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their influence spans both new laws (e.g., child marriage ban) and implementation oversight (e.g., Sexual Offences Act) demonstrating that parliamentary action can affect both the <em>letter and practice<\/em> of rights protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>QUOTES ON HOW FEMALE MPS DEBATE AND LOBBYING MALE CONUTERPARTS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>quotes and documented analysis showing how the Sierra Leone Female Parliamentary Caucus (and allied female MPs) have engaged male MPs and performed in parliamentary debates to build support for gender-related bills such as the Child Rights Bill, Child Marriage prohibition, and other women\/children\u2019s rights laws:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. Quotes from Child Marriage Bill Debates<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During <strong>the passage of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024<\/strong> (a key child protection law), female MPs spoke directly in Parliament to build cross-party support \u2014 including reaching male colleagues:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Hon. Mariama Munia Zombo (Pujehun District)<\/strong>, piloting the Bill:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cThis Bill is about boys and girls.\u201d<\/strong><br>She emphasized the <em>universal nature<\/em> of the law \u2014 appealing not just to women\u2019s concerns but to national values everyone should support. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sierraleonemonitor.com\/sierra-leone-parliament-passes-the-prohibition-of-child-marriage-act\/?utm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">https:\/\/www.sierraleonemonitor.com\/sierra-leone-parliament-passes-the-prohibition-of-child-marriage-act\/?utm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Hon. Zainab Catherine Tarawally (Opposition Whip 2 &amp; Chair, Gender Committee)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cThis Bill is not for any political party, but a Bill for Sierra Leone.\u201d<\/strong><br>This statement was a deliberate appeal to male MPs and cross-party colleagues to <em>support<\/em> the law beyond partisan interests. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sierraleonemonitor.com\/sierra-leone-parliament-passes-the-prohibition-of-child-marriage-act\/?utm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">https:\/\/www.sierraleonemonitor.com\/sierra-leone-parliament-passes-the-prohibition-of-child-marriage-act\/?utm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. Engagement on the Child Rights Bill (Pre-Debate Lobbying)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before the <strong>Child Rights Bill<\/strong> reached full plenary debate, the <strong>Female Parliamentary Caucus and Ministry of Gender Leaders<\/strong> explicitly called on female MPs to <em>lobby male MPs<\/em> for support:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;At an engagement session:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Minister of Gender told the Female Parliamentary Caucus to <strong>\u201clobby their male colleagues to enact the Bill when tabled in Parliament.\u201d<\/strong><br>This captures how the Caucus was positioned as a <em>strategic bridge<\/em> to secure buy-in from male MPs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/female-parliamentary-caucus-supports-child-rights-bill-2024\/?utm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/female-parliamentary-caucus-supports-child-rights-bill-2024\/?utm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The President of the Caucus (Hon. Bernadette Wayatta Songa) stated the group would have a <em>Legislative Session<\/em> to review the Bill and prepare female MPs to argue for its passage \u2014 a key step in building broader parliamentary consensus. <a href=\"https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/female-parliamentary-caucus-supports-child-rights-bill-2024\/?utm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/female-parliamentary-caucus-supports-child-rights-bill-2024\/?utm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. Caucus Strategy: Building Early Consensus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Analysis of the process<\/strong> shows the Caucus engages male MPs and the broader Parliament through structured preparatory measures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>a. Early Technical Engagement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before tabling major gender\/child protection bills (e.g., Child Rights Bill), <em>female MPs are briefed and mobilized first<\/em> \u2014 enabling them to bring informed arguments to male colleagues during formal debates.<br>This reflects a deliberate process of <em>capacity building + peer lobbying<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/female-parliamentary-caucus-supports-child-rights-bill-2024\/?utm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/female-parliamentary-caucus-supports-child-rights-bill-2024\/?utm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>b. Community &amp; Stakeholder Feedback<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Caucus is often involved in later <strong>harmonization sessions<\/strong> where stakeholders such as chiefs, civil society and male MPs also participate \u2014 this builds <em>social and political legitimacy<\/em> for the draft law (which helps male MPs feel comfortable voting in favor).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/female-parliamentary-caucus-supports-child-rights-bill-2024\/?utm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/female-parliamentary-caucus-supports-child-rights-bill-2024\/?utm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. Broader Parliamentary Engagements Showing Cross-Gender Support<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While not exclusively quotes from the female caucus, other documented parliamentary debates reveal how male MPs have been influenced to support gender-related legislation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In debates over the <strong>Gender Empowerment Act<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cWe want men and women to work together in making society better.\u201d<\/strong> \u2014 Hon. Rosy Kanu (Deputy Chair, Gender &amp; Children Affairs Committee) invited male legislators to see women\u2019s rights as a <em>shared agenda<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-sierraloaded wp-block-embed-sierraloaded\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"Qcimp1w0gI\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sierraloaded.sl\/news\/parliament-debates-gender-empowerment-act-2021\/\">Parliament Debates The Gender Empowerment Act 2021<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Parliament Debates The Gender Empowerment Act 2021&#8221; &#8212; Sierraloaded\" src=\"https:\/\/sierraloaded.sl\/news\/parliament-debates-gender-empowerment-act-2021\/embed\/#?secret=ibnVCLLJZt#?secret=Qcimp1w0gI\" data-secret=\"Qcimp1w0gI\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This complemented the Caucus\u2019s strategy of framing gender bills as <em>national, not partisan, priorities<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5. How the Caucus Influences Male MPs \u2014 <em>Analysis<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s how the Female Parliamentary Caucus <em>strategically engages male MPs<\/em> \u2014 based on documented discussions and parliamentary practice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1) Framing Bills as National Issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Female MPs repeatedly emphasize that laws such as the Child Marriage Act and Child Rights Bill are <strong>\u201cfor Sierra Leone\u201d<\/strong>, not just <em>women\u2019s issues<\/em>. This rhetorical strategy makes it easier for male MPs to justify supporting them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-sierra-leone-monitor wp-block-embed-sierra-leone-monitor\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"sqH67EUOfM\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sierraleonemonitor.com\/sierra-leone-parliament-passes-the-prohibition-of-child-marriage-act\/\">Sierra Leone Parliament Passes the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Sierra Leone Parliament Passes the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act&#8221; &#8212; Sierra Leone Monitor\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sierraleonemonitor.com\/sierra-leone-parliament-passes-the-prohibition-of-child-marriage-act\/embed\/#?secret=4r6c3P3Tur#?secret=sqH67EUOfM\" data-secret=\"sqH67EUOfM\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2) Showing Cross-Party &amp; High-Level Support<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Engagements with figures like the <strong>First Lady<\/strong> and leaders across political divides signal that these laws have <em>backing beyond gender constituencies<\/em>, helping male MPs feel confident voting in favor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-sierraloaded wp-block-embed-sierraloaded\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"EZTAFlUjiz\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sierraloaded.sl\/news\/fatima-bio-discussion-female-caucus-parliament-early-child-marriage-bill\/\">First Lady Fatima Bio Collaborates with Female Caucus of Parliament on Early Child Marriage Bill<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;First Lady Fatima Bio Collaborates with Female Caucus of Parliament on Early Child Marriage Bill&#8221; &#8212; Sierraloaded\" src=\"https:\/\/sierraloaded.sl\/news\/fatima-bio-discussion-female-caucus-parliament-early-child-marriage-bill\/embed\/#?secret=qugPigK4eF#?secret=EZTAFlUjiz\" data-secret=\"EZTAFlUjiz\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3) Pre-Debate Lobbying<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Female MPs are briefed and mobilized <em>before<\/em> bills are tabled, giving them the confidence to present arguments in plenary that resonate with both male and female colleagues.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/female-parliamentary-caucus-supports-child-rights-bill-2024\/?utm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/female-parliamentary-caucus-supports-child-rights-bill-2024\/?utm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4) Leveraging Committee Chairs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Many female MPs hold <strong>lead roles in key committees<\/strong> (e.g., Gender &amp; Children\u2019s Affairs), enabling them to shape language and reports that then go to male MPs with authority and credibility. (Context from wider parliamentary practice.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/female-parliamentary-caucus-supports-child-rights-bill-2024\/?utm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">https:\/\/forumnews-sl.com\/female-parliamentary-caucus-supports-child-rights-bill-2024\/?utm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5) Repeating Evidence &amp; Personal Stories<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>From statistics on child marriage to testimonies about harm, female MPs <em>use evidence and emotional appeal<\/em> in debates \u2014 a rhetorical technique that influences male colleagues by connecting abstract laws to human impacts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-sierra-leone-monitor wp-block-embed-sierra-leone-monitor\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"sqH67EUOfM\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sierraleonemonitor.com\/sierra-leone-parliament-passes-the-prohibition-of-child-marriage-act\/\">Sierra Leone Parliament Passes the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Sierra Leone Parliament Passes the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act&#8221; &#8212; Sierra Leone Monitor\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sierraleonemonitor.com\/sierra-leone-parliament-passes-the-prohibition-of-child-marriage-act\/embed\/#?secret=4r6c3P3Tur#?secret=sqH67EUOfM\" data-secret=\"sqH67EUOfM\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>summary of quotations and Insights:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Context<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Quote \/ Insight<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Child Marriage Act Debate<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>\u201cThis Bill is about boys and girls.\u201d \u2014 Hon. Zombo<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Cross-Party Appeal<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>\u201cThis Bill is not for any political party, but a Bill for Sierra Leone.\u201d \u2014 Hon. Tarawally<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Lobbying Male MPs<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Female MPs were asked to lobby male colleagues for support of the Child Rights Bill<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Inviting Male MPs to See Broader Value<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>\u201cWe want men and women to work together in making society better.\u201d \u2014 Rosy Kanu<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Female MPs and the Female Parliamentary Caucus influence gender-related legislation by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Framing bills as national priorities rather than gender-specific concerns.<br>Mobilizing female MPs early to be well-prepared for plenary debates where they speak to male colleagues.<br>Directly lobbying male MPs behind the scenes before debates.<br>Engaging high-profile figures and cross-party supporters to build momentum.<br>Using both data and personal narratives to appeal to male MPs\u2019 sense of societal responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here are verified examples of specific motions, bills, debates and parliamentary actions where the Sierra Leone Female Parliamentary Caucus has influenced outcomes relating to SGBV (Sexual and Gender-Based Violence), women\u2019s rights, and child rights: 1. Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024What it was: A Private Member\u2019s Bill that became law in June 2024 banning child [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2026","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"John Kamara","author_link":"https:\/\/parliament.gov.sl\/slefpac\/author\/john\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Here are verified examples of specific motions, bills, debates and parliamentary actions where the Sierra Leone Female Parliamentary Caucus has influenced outcomes relating to SGBV (Sexual and Gender-Based Violence), women\u2019s rights, and child rights: 1. Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024What it was: A Private Member\u2019s Bill that became law in June 2024 banning child&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/parliament.gov.sl\/slefpac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2026","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/parliament.gov.sl\/slefpac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/parliament.gov.sl\/slefpac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parliament.gov.sl\/slefpac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parliament.gov.sl\/slefpac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2026"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/parliament.gov.sl\/slefpac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2026\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2049,"href":"https:\/\/parliament.gov.sl\/slefpac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2026\/revisions\/2049"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/parliament.gov.sl\/slefpac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2026"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}