Sierra Leone

Population

• Total Population: Approximately 8.5 million (as of 2024)
• Gender Distribution: 50.8% female, 49.2% male
• Youth Population: Over 60% under the age of 25
• Urban vs Rural Distribution: 42% urban, 58% rural

Economic Landscape

• GDP: $4.2 billion (2023 estimate)
• Key Industries: Mining (diamonds, rutile), Agriculture, Fisheries
• Women in Workforce: Approximately 55%, largely in informal sectors
• Gender Pay Gap: Women earn 30% less than men, particularly in informal sectors

Challenges: Economic instability, lack of access to financial services, employment insecurity for women

Political Landscape

• Women’s Representation in Leadership:
  • Parliament: 12.3%
  • Local Government Leadership: Minimal representation
• Challenges: Deep-rooted cultural barriers, security risks, limited access to political participation
• Key Policies Promoting Gender Equality:

• Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy

• Sexual Offenses Act

• Social and Cultural Context

  • Gender Norms and Cultural Attitudes:
    • Patriarchal society with traditional gender roles
    • Women are often responsible for caregiving and subsistence farming
  • Traditional Barriers:
    • Early marriages and teenage pregnancies
    • Female genital mutilation (FGM) prevalence
    • Limited access to education and healthcare for women

• Gender Index Rankings

  • Global Gender Gap Index (2023): Ranked 144th out of 146 countries
  • Human Development Index (2023): 0.477 (Low human development)
  • Women’s Empowerment Index: Slow progress in literacy and economic participation
  • Challenges Identified: High maternal mortality rates, gender-based violence, lack of financial independence for women