Advancing Human Rights Protections in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone has made significant strides in advancing human rights, particularly for women and people with disabilities.
Civil society advocacy, fueled by the recommendations supported by the country in the framework of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), has played a pivotal role in these advancements, sparking legislative actions and driving positive change.
Sierra Leone's commitment to gender equality is evident in the enactment of the Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Act in 2023. This groundbreaking legislation mandates a 30% quota for women in both public and private sectors, ensuring equal pay, enhanced maternity benefits, and prohibiting pregnancy-based employment discrimination. These measures aim to boost women's economic opportunities and political representation. Organizations like L.A.W.Y.E.R.S. have played a crucial role in implementing UPR recommendations. Through training, community engagement, and media campaigns, they supported the enactment of gender equality laws and conducted studies to identify barriers to women's empowerment in workplaces.
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In addition, Sierra Leone revamped its electoral laws to promote inclusivity, introducing a disability policy to facilitate full participation of people with disabilities in elections. This includes special arrangements at polling stations and accessibility adaptations. Despite progress, challenges remain for people with disabilities, particularly in healthcare, employment, transport, and education. However, organizations like the African Network of Young People with Disabilities recognize the potential of the UPR to drive human rights advancements and have integrated UPR insights into their advocacy efforts.
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