07/05/2026
Attorney General Outlines Bold Constitutional Reforms to Advance Gender Equality and Economic Transformation
House of Parliament, Tower Hill, Freetown — Thursday, May 7, 2026 --The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, has delivered a keynote address on Women’s Representation and Rights in the Constitutional Review Process, under the theme “Examining Gender Provisions in the Proposed Sierra Leone Amendment Act 2025.” The proposed reforms form part of an ambitious national agenda aimed at reshaping governance, strengthening gender equality, and accelerating economic transformation.
Speaking at Parliament in Conference Room 1, Tower Hill, during an engagement on women’s representation and constitutional rights, the Attorney General described the proposed Constitutional Amendment Act 2025 as a decisive shift from a “constitution of survival” to a “constitution of prosperity.”
He noted that while the 1991 Constitution successfully restored multiparty democracy and national stability following years of conflict, it now requires modernization to reflect contemporary development priorities and deepen inclusive governance.
A central pillar of the proposed reforms is the expansion of women’s participation in political and economic decision-making. He emphasized that women’s representation is not only a matter of equity but also a critical driver of effective governance and improved public resource management.
He proposed a minimum 30 percent quota for women in political party nominations and governance structures, alongside the introduction of a Proportional Representation electoral system aimed at broadening inclusion and addressing structural barriers associated with winner-takes-all politics. “Electoral reform is fundamentally gender reform,” he stated.
Among the landmark proposals is the introduction of equal citizenship rights, granting mothers the same constitutional authority as fathers to confer citizenship to their children and spouses—an initiative described as a significant advancement toward gender equality and national identity reform. The amendments also seek to strengthen anti-discrimination provisions through more inclusive constitutional language.
The reforms further extend to the justice sector, with plans to constitutionally recognize alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to improve access to justice, particularly for small businesses and local communities.
A proposed Mediation Bill is expected to ease pressure on the formal court system by promoting faster and more affordable dispute resolution processes.
Restorative justice measures, including community service and the decriminalization of minor offences, are also under consideration as part of broader efforts to modernize the justice system.
In addition, the proposed Constitution seeks to elevate key social services into enforceable rights, including free, compulsory, and quality primary and secondary education, as well as access to healthcare as a justiciable right. He noted that these reforms are designed to directly link human development outcomes to long-term economic growth, with a strong focus on women and girls.
Hon. Bernadette Wuyatta Kallon Songa, President of the Sierra Leone Female Parliamentary Caucus (SLeFPaC), described the constitutional review process as a “nation-building responsibility” aimed at strengthening equality, dignity, and inclusion.
She highlighted key legislative achievements, including the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, the Sexual Offences Act, the Domestic Violence Act, and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, noting that these laws have significantly advanced the rights of women and girls.
Hon. Songa called for these gains to be firmly embedded in the Constitution and urged sustained public engagement to ensure citizens fully understand and support the reform process.
