By Memunatu Koroma, Makeni, Northern Sierra Leone
In 2010, just before my 30th birthday, I started politicking as one of the youngest in Makeni, northern Sierra Leone. Determined to impact, I traveled to rural villages, educating women about their voting rights and responsibilities. Rain or shine, I often navigated rugged roads to ensure communities, especially women, understood the power of their vote. These efforts resulted in a 50% increase in registered voters and a significant reduction in void votes in my district in 2012.
Despite these achievements, systemic biases and societal attitudes held me back. The presidential candidate at the time, Ernest Bai Koroma, hailed from my hometown of Makeni. After he won, he admired my work and suggested I be considered for an appointed position. However, when elders were consulted, a distant cousin dismissed the idea, saying, “She’s too young and still single. Send her to the research department at the central bank or the university library.” Others referred to me dismissively, saying, “Memunatu of yesterday, how can she be given those positions?” I was sidelined not because of my competence but because of my age and marital status, factors irrelevant to leadership.
When I shared my passion for serving my community with a lawyer friend, his response reflected the uphill battle I faced. “Given your religion and region, Makeni, northern Sierra Leone, this is a tough barrier,” he said. Even women bring each other down.” His words underscored the external obstacles and internal divisions women must overcome to lead.
This experience resonates with the broader challenges women in Sierra Leone face, particularly in the northern region, where entrenched culture and religion prevent women from assuming leadership roles. While women in the south and east have risen as chiefs and traditional leaders, their northern counterparts confront harsh reality. Cultural conservatism and male-dominated traditions in the North actively reinforce leadership as a male domain, leaving women struggling to challenge societal expectations.
My hometown, Makeni, offers glimpses of progress, with women serving as mayors, parliamentarians, and cabinet members. Yet, accurate gender equity remains elusive.
Later, as the youngest female executive director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), I encountered similar resistance. Leading a predominantly male team was challenging, as many doubted my leadership. Yet, I persevered, demonstrating that cultural and systemic biases persist even when women attain leadership positions.
The Proportional Representation (PR) system has introduced new challenges to women’s political participation.
Under the previous system, women who contributed meaningfully to their communities could win parliamentary seats. The PR system, however, allows party officials to award political symbols based on influence rather than merit. This shift has excluded many capable women, diminished the quality of representation, and perpetuated inequality.
Societal attitudes amplify these challenges. Women are often held to higher standards than men and expected to balance professional and personal expectations seamlessly. Stereotypes, internal competition, and societal expectations hinder collective action, leaving women to navigate a system stacked against them.
Despite these obstacles, progress is possible. The recently enacted Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, which mandates 30% female representation in public office, is a step in the right direction. But laws alone cannot drive transformative change. We need cultural shifts, mentorship programs, and initiatives that prepare women for leadership. Empowering women in the North to assume traditional leadership roles would be groundbreaking, dismantling the belief that leadership is a male domain and fostering gender equity. Achieving this requires collaboration among communities, religious leaders, and policymakers to challenge biases and create pathways for women to lead.
Reforming the Proportional Representation system is equally crucial. Political parties must adopt transparent and fair candidate selection processes, prioritizing qualifications and community impact over personal connections. These reforms would encourage capable women to lead, driving national progress and inspiring others.
The challenges faced by Sierra Leonean women mirror global struggles. Kamala Harris’s rise to vice president in the United States demonstrates that bias persists even in democracies. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s presidency in Liberia inspired a generation but also revealed the immense pressure female leaders face in male-dominated spaces. These examples underscore the need for deliberate efforts to dismantle systemic inequalities and challenge cultural norms.
Women’s leadership transcends representation and transforms governance. Female leaders often bring unique perspectives, prioritizing empathy, collaboration, and sustainable solutions. In Sierra Leone, women’s leadership embodies resilience, love, and hope. Women who rise to leadership dedicate themselves to building great future for families, communities, and the nation. Their courage and perseverance challenge entrenched norms and inspire others to believe in their potential.
The road ahead will not be easy. Cultural and systemic barriers remain deeply rooted, especially in regions like the North where men often view women as tools or at times, as competition. Many will go to great lengths to undermine women who dare to rise above societal expectations. However, with collective effort an unwavering determination, Sierra Leone can create a future where leadership is defined by vision and competence, not gender or region. Women are redefining leadership and building a society where every woman, regardless of background, can lead. Embracing women’s leadership is not only the right thing to do;it’s the smart thing.
The Author, Memunatu Koroma, is a former Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority.
