By Foday Moriba Conteh

Madam Kenyeh Barlay, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, officially launched the Network of Women Ministers and Parliamentarians (NEWMAP) Constitution and its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown on Thursday, August 14, 2025. The initiative highlights the Government’s commitment to advancing women’s leadership and strengthening their participation in Sierra Leone’s political sphere.

In her keynote address, Madam Kenyeh Barlay commended the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs and other women leaders for revitalizing NEWMAP describing it as a vital platform to strengthen political participation, foster collaboration and empower women across Sierra Leone. She emphasized that NEWMAP is more than just a name; it is a roadmap to map the entire environment for women’s empowerment in Sierra Leone. It is about ensuring that both men and women have equal trunk roads and feeder roads to leadership.

Highlighting progress under the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act of 2022, Kenyeh Barlay noted that women now hold 30% of parliamentary seats, 41% of local council positions and 41% of Ministerial and Deputy Ministerial appointments, a development she credited to President Julius Maada Bio’s political will. “This significant boost has strategically positioned women in leadership, creating space where gender equality can thrive and where policies that empower women are shaped with a gender lens,” she stressed.

The Minister further explained that the NEWMAP Strategic Plan is closely aligned with the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030), particularly its “Big Five Game Changers,” which prioritize human capital development and gender mainstreaming. She emphasized that women’s economic and political empowerment remain at the heart of the Government’s development agenda adding that NEWMAP will serve as a unifying platform to mentor, support  and elevate women leaders across party lines.

Charles Vandy, Deputy Chief of the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA), reaffirmed Government’s commitment to advancing women’s political leadership through the revival of NEWMAP. Tracing the network’s history, Charles Vandy recalled the vision of trailblazers such as Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay, Hon. Bernadette Lahai and other remarkable female leaders, who founded NEWMAP over two decades ago to provide women in public and political life, a platform for collaboration, advocacy and empowerment. “From its inception, NEWMAP gave women a space to support one another, harmonize activities across party lines and advocate for issues that mattered,” Charles Vandy said, noting that the platform unfortunately became dormant about 15 years ago.

However, he emphasized that momentum to resuscitate the network gained traction in 2003 under the leadership of Hon. Dr. Isata Mahoi, Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs and was further reinforced by the passing of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act of 2022. Following a series of engagements with female Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Parliamentarians, NEWMAP was officially relaunched by President Julius Maada Bio. Regional consultations were also held with female councillors to ensure inclusivity and representation. “NEWMAP’s revival is more than the restoration of a platform; it is a call to reshape narratives, open doors and ensure gender equality becomes a lived reality in Sierra Leone,” Charles Vandy declared.

Programs Manager CGG, Sahr Kendema, said the network will play a pivotal role in promoting gender equality, women’s rights and representation in governance. He recalled that NEWMAP was first established in 1999 under the late Vice President Joe Demby and later became part of the continental network of African Women Ministers and Parliamentarians in 2004. Despite early successes, Sahr Kendema noted that the platform struggled after 2008 due to financial and operational challenges.

“After the 2023 elections, momentum returned. The passage of key gender laws, including the Public Elections Act and the Political Parties Act, created a renewed need to re-energize NEWMAP,” he explained. Sahr Kendema commended the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi, for steering the relaunch, which has since re-engaged women Ministers and MPs in lobbying, networking and collaboration. He also highlighted the support of development partners such as Irish Aid and USAID, which have been instrumental in strengthening the initiative.

The plan, he emphasized, was developed through a participatory process involving stakeholders, validation sessions and a SWOT analysis to ensure inclusivity and practical implementation. “Our vision is for a Sierra Leone where women and men enjoy equal rights and opportunities in every sphere of development,” Sahr Kendema said. “Unity for Women’s Leadership and National Development, that is our motto ,because no nation can truly develop without women playing their full role.”

Racheal Newbery, Head of Programs at Trocaire described the launch as “an important milestone” in the revitalization of NEWMAP noting that the constitution and strategic plan will serve as guiding documents to advance the interests and voices of women in Sierra Leone. “As Trocaire, we are very proud to be here today to support this important work. Ensuring women and girls’ voice, leadership and protection is a core goal for us and we are committed to supporting women both as individuals and as collectives,” she said.

She highlighted that Trocaire’s support for NEWMAP has been made possible through funding from Irish Aid, implemented through local partners rather than directly. She commended the efforts of the Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) at the national level, alongside partners SEND, NMJD, ABC and WOLFRAB at district level, who are working with female councillors to strengthen women’s leadership at the grassroots. Newbery further pledged Trocaire’s continued support and called for greater collaboration in strengthening women’s leadership and governance at all levels. “Women in Sierra Leone can be powerful agents of change and it is critical that their voices are heard and supported,” she emphasized.

Cecilia Adeline Bangura, Vice President I of the Women’s Forum, hailed the initiative as a bold declaration of women’s determination to lead, legislate and transform Sierra Leone. “This strategic plan is a compass for women. It outlines priorities such as strengthening political participation, building leadership capacity, advocating for gender-responsive policies and fostering sisterhood across party lines and professions,” she stated.

She emphasized that while challenges remain including entrenched patriarchy, limited access to campaign financing and persistent underrepresentation Sierra Leonean women have consistently demonstrated resilience by leading peace efforts, rebuilding communities and standing firm in the face of adversity. “We are no longer content with symbolic representation. Women are here to claim their space in governance and we must use it well,” she added.

On behalf of the Women’s Forum, Cecilia Adeline Bangura, pledged solidarity and partnership with NEWMAP noting that the Forum, the umbrella body for women’s organizations in Sierra Leone, is committed to advancing women’s empowerment, equality and development. “Our motto is Solidarity for Empowerment, Equality and Development. As women, we must continue to support each other because Sierra Leone cannot rise without its women,” she declared.

The event included a panel discussion on the role of NEWMAP members in advancing the strategic objectives for gender equality in Sierra Leone: Exploring success stories, opportunities and challenges. The panel featured Dr. Isata Mahoi, Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs; Hon. Rebecca Yei Kamara, Secretary Female Parliamentary Caucus; Hon. Mariama Zombo, Member of Parliament; and Madam I.J. Kabba, Gender Adviser to the President, among others. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/planning-minister-launches-newmap-constitution-2025-2030-strategic-plan/