Strengthening democracy is an ongoing process. Since 2001, WFD has been working in Sierra Leone towards a stronger democracy in the country. WFD programmes support the Parliament of Sierra Leone in its efforts to become a more open and accessible institution for all citizens. Our programmes also promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in electoral and political processes in Sierra Leone.
WFD is currently implementing the Inclusive and Accountable Politics (IAP) programme in Sierra Leone. Find out more about the programme and other completed programmes by expanding the themes below.
Background:
In 2019, the Sierra Leone Parliament adopted and launched the Bo Declaration – a commitment by members of parliament (MPs) to promote a smooth, effective, and efficient running legislature. This is by the MPs working in harmony irrespective of political affiliation, promoting genuine and sincere consultations, respecting parliamentary procedures, depoliticising the administration of the parliament, and engaging broadly with political parties and other stakeholders on parliamentary decision-making processes.
The Sierra Leone Parliament is also committed to become a more open and transparent institution to all citizens. The open parliament commitment is part of the eight commitments of Sierra Leone’s third National Action Plan (NAP III) under the Open Government Partnership (OGP) initiative. Sierra Leone became an OGP member in 2013.
Summary of the programme’s objectives:
Parliaments are fundamental institutions of democratic governance. To support the Parliament of Sierra Leone in smoothly and efficiently performing its functions, WFD is leading the facilitation process of the re-commitment to the principles of the Bo Declaration. The FCDO– funded Inclusive and Accountable Politics (IAP) programme aims to rebuild commitment for positive and non-combative parliamentary processes and party dialogue. The IAP programme is also focused on building on the success of the Open Government Partnership (OGP). To do this, WFD provides technical support to the Parliament of Sierra Leone Staff, OGP Steering Committee Partners, MPs, and Citizens through civil society organisations (CSOs) partners.
As democratic representatives of the people, parliaments have the key responsibility of examining policies and their impact on citizens. In July 2020, WFD launched a project focused on supporting the Parliament of Sierra Leone by improving its access to crucial gender–sensitive data during the COVID-19 pandemic. This data helped inform MPs’ inputs in parliamentary debates, oversight, and law-making processes that focus on the effect of COVID-19 on vulnerable groups such as women and girls. This is in addition to holding the Government to account on its COVID-19 response. The project was funded by the British High Commission in Sierra Leone.
Parliaments and local governments are essential for effective, inclusive democratic governance. Through funding from the Commonwealth Partnership for Democracy (CP4D), WFD focused on advancing disability rights in Sierra Leone. The programme supported PWDs in the country in advancing disability issues in Parliament and local councils after the 2018 elections. It targeted the Sierra Leone Parliament to demonstrate leadership in taking concrete steps to raise awareness and integrate disability friendly policy within its operations. WFD also collaborated and supported disability coordination within the Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Freetown City Council, and the Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues (SLUDI).
Freetown, Sierra Leone: On 19 November 2021, Sierra Leone’s Finance Minister Mr. Dennis K. Vandi presented the 2022 fiscal year national budget before the Parliament. A regular practice in the budget making process that takes place before the West African country financial year kicks off in January of every year. However, the reading of the […]
Parliaments are fundamental institutions of democratic governance. Effective parliaments contribute to the rule of law, economic prosperity, and improved social welfare of a country. To support the Parliament of Sierra Leone in its commitment towards providing the best parliamentary services to its citizens, WFD partnered with the legislature of the West African state in developing […]
Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic requires consolidated efforts from all fronts. As democratic representatives of the people, parliaments have the key responsibility of examining policies and their impact on citizens. This is essential in times of a crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2020, WFD launched a project focused on supporting the Parliament of Sierra Leone by improving its access to crucial gender–sensitive data during the pandemic. Gendered statistics are fundamental in understanding how COVID-19 affects different groups in society. For example: are pregnant women able to seek […]
