Sierra Leone’s Deputy Justice Minister Saptieu Elizabeth Saccoh on Friday called for systemic legal and constitutional reforms to entrench gender equality, telling a gathering of women lawyers that laws must be matched by enforcement to secure lasting change.
Addressing the Annual General Meeting of the Legal Access through Women Yearning for Equality Rights (L.A.W.Y.E.R.) in Freetown, Saccoh highlighted recent progress, including the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, which mandates a 30% quota for women in leadership.
“We did not ask for a seat; we demanded a third of the chairs,” she said, urging participants to ensure the law delivers tangible results.
Saccoh said the government’s ongoing constitutional review aims to strengthen protections in Section 27 of the 1991 constitution, which deals with discrimination. She also cited pending reforms to repeal petty offences, which she said had “criminalised poverty” and fallen hardest on women.
On sexual and gender-based violence, she reiterated the government’s “zero tolerance”, pointing to strengthened sexual offences legislation, a specialist model court, and new safeguards for vulnerable witnesses under the 2024 Criminal Procedure Act.
“The justice system must be a shield for the weak, not a sword against them,” Saccoh said, adding that the courage of victims should be met with “an immediate path to justice”.
She cautioned that legislation alone was insufficient, urging lawyers to uphold the principles behind new laws. Quoting Winnie Mandela, she called on women to reject humiliation and pursue dignity through collective action.
The meeting brought together legal professionals and activists as part of continuing efforts to promote women’s rights and access to justice in Sierra Leone.
By Frank kamara
