UNDER THE EU SUPPORT TO THE GOVERNANCE SECTOR IN SIERRA LEONE: FEMALE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT ARE UNDEGOING TRAINING ON PUBLIC SPEAKING AND DEBATE

The EU Governance Programme in Sierra Leone is organising a two day training (24^th-25^th June, 2021) on Public Speaking and Debate for Female Members of Parliament at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.

Gender parity is key to responsive and accountable democratic societies. Female parliamentary representation is fundamental in the furtherance of the country’s democratic processes. In the current Sierra Leone Parliament, out of a total of 146 Members of Parliament, only 18 are females.

The EU Governance Programme identified the huge gender disparity, hence the need among other programmes to train female MPs in public speaking and debate so their views and opinions could be heard.

Experts in the subject matter have been assembled at the New Brookfields Hotel to help hone the skills of these female caucus in both public speaking and debating.

The training is to capacitate them to be bold enough to speak eloquently and know the debating skills in order to make their presence felt and also for them to be able to make their views heard on any issue tabled in the well of parliament for debate or discussion.

The EU Governance Programme has been engaging government officials, civil society organisations and other relevant partners to fight against gender discriminatory legislations and policies so as to improve on gender equality and women’s participation in governance.

The EU Governance Programme in Sierra Leone has also supported existing gender equality initiatives in political participation, in particular, Gender and Disability mainstreaming for political parties and Gender and Disability mainstreaming for the National Electoral Commission (NEC)

The programme have also carried out series of supports under the governance portfolio. For example,

• Capacity training to the office of the Clerk of Parliament
• Regional road map seminars on Electoral Legal Reforms Process
• 2020-2024 Strategic Plan Process workshop for NEC
• Training on the basics of legal drafting with NEC legal department staff
• Electoral Legal Reforms process for both PPRC and NEC
• Reviewing of Parliamentary Standing Orders

With the strengthening of gender mainstreaming, the Parliament of Sierra Leone is now more inclusive and transparent because women are now bold enough to add their voices to the governance process.