The USAID sensitization campaign has had a dramatic
impact in widening political participation in Sierra Leone. A few
years ago the idea of women actively taking part in the country’s
political life was almost unheard of. With the opening of the political
process, women now see an opportunity to run as serious candidates.
Topping their list of issues are development of education and health
facilities, and the improvement of infrastructure.
July’s local elections will be for 456 councillor
seats and 19 mayoral position scattered across Sierra Leone. Approximately
17 percent of registered candidates are women. However, USAID and
NDI believe that greater participation of women as voters and candidates
will also have an impact on parliamentary elections.
“We are working to increase the presence of
women in the parliament to thirty percent,” says NDI Country
Director Honorine Muyoyeta. Currently women occupy only 16 seats in
Sierra Leone’s 124-member parliament.
The NDI program also encourages political parties
to award more significant party positions to women and to supports
female candidates. In additions, the program organizes town hall meetings
to provide information about the electoral process.
NDI along with USAID support is steadily raising
awareness across Sierra Leone on the importance of women’s political
participation as voters, candidates and political party members. The
program promotes voter education, encourages greater participation
of marginalized groups, and builds trust between communities and governing
councils. It also provides assistance to civil society leaders determined
to advance democratic values.
Mostly the program touches women such as N’Yellah
who want to take part in shaping Sierra Leone’s future. “Thanks
to the workshop preparation I believe my chances of winning in these
elections is much higher,” she said.