By Abdulai Fofanah
Freetown, 28 July 2026 – Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Bio, has issued a passionate appeal to Members of Parliament (MPs) to support provisions in the Constitutional Amendment Bill that guarantee women’s inclusion through the Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system.
Speaking on the day Parliament debates the landmark bill, Mrs. Bio urged MPs to seize the moment and vote for equality. “Your vote today will determine whether Sierra Leone takes a bold step towards a more inclusive, representative, and equitable democracy,” she declared.
In a Facebook post, the First Lady emphasized that passing the PR provision would send a powerful signal of Sierra Leone’s commitment to gender equity. “It will demonstrate our determination to ensure that women have a stronger voice in decision-making and are fully represented in shaping the future of our nation,” she wrote.
Mrs. Bio highlighted that globally, PR systems have proven effective in boosting women’s representation in elected office. She stressed that women are not seeking special treatment but equal opportunity to contribute their leadership and expertise to national development. “No nation can achieve sustainable progress while half of its population remains underrepresented in its highest decision-making institutions,” she added.
Calling on MPs to rise above political divides, she urged them to vote in favor of women’s full and meaningful inclusion in politics. “Let history remember this Parliament as the one that chose equality, strengthened democracy, and affirmed that the women of Sierra Leone deserve their rightful place in building our nation,” she concluded.
The debate over the Constitutional Amendment Bill is seen as a defining moment for Sierra Leone’s democracy, with women’s representation at the heart of the discussion.
