Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone has a population estimated at 5.7 million (UN, 2009) with a total area of 71,740 sq km (27,699 sq miles). The capital is Freetown. The major languages are English, Krio (Creole language derived from English) and a range of African languages.

Sierra Leone is recovering from a 10-year civil war which ended in 2002. During the Sierra Leone civil war, sexual violence was used in a widespread and systematic way as a weapon, and women were raped in brutal ways. Despite progress made by the entry into force of the legal acts in 2007, high rates of sexual and gender-based violence, and domestic violence continue to be reported.

On a more positive note, Charles Taylor, former Liberian President was found guilty the 26th of April 2012 in the Special Court for Sierra Leone, of aiding and abetting 11 crimes, including murder, rape, sexual slavery, and forced labor. This judgement sets a positive precedent for the international prosecution of war crimes as well as the ability of victims to access justice.

Sierra Leone ratified The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) on November 11, 1988
Sierra Leone adopted a National Action Plan on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) in March 2010
Sierra Leone does not have a UN peacekeeping mandate

Sources:BBC; Amnesty International; UNIFEM

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May 1, 2012 (Awoko)
SIERRA LEONE: National Democratic Institute Schools Female Politicians Female aspirants for the November 17th General Elections drawn from all four Districts of Bo, Moyamba ,Pujehun and Bonthe have benefited from a two day training under the sponsorship of the National Democratic Institute.
April 30, 2012 (RFI English)
SIERRA LEONE: Charles Taylor Verdict - a Victory for Women's Rights The guilty verdict on 11 counts of aiding and abetting war crimes and crimes against humanity of former Liberian president Charles Taylor has been hailed as a milestone for gender justice.
March 16, 2012 (Concord Times (Freetown))
SIERRA LEONE: Legislative Quotas - a Solution to Voter Sexism?? Women constitute 51% of Sierra Leone's population, yet only 16 out of 112 elected parliamentarians are women. Furthermore, even though 12 parliamentary seats are reserved for Paramount Chiefs, women hardly occupy these seats. Not surprisingly, therefore, as we draw closer to the 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections, the current debate on electoral quotas is viewed by many feminists as critical for an increase in women's political representation.
March 13, 2012 (Concord Times)
SIERRA LEONE: Women Call for Gender Equality As the public relations officer of the All Political Parties Women Association, APPWA Gertrude Karimu stated last week that the gender equality draft bill is ready and would be given to the Government Printing Department for printing and gazetting through the Attorney-General's office latest Monday 12, some women have urged stakeholders to allow gender equality in Sierra Leone.
February 8, 2012 (IPS)
SIERRA LEONE: Sierra Leone Drafts a Development Plan for the Next 50 Years The recommendations give specific attention to women, who continue to be under represented in politics and other positions of power. These include a mandatory 30 percent representation of women in political office, a review of Sierra Leone's 1991 constitution, and the creation of an autonomous "Women's Commission" in government.