The Country is Watching, the Future is at Stake
Episode 13: “THE GENDER TEST”
Why Women’s Leadership is No Longer Optional in Sierra Leone
By Dr. Doma
Why is it that in Sierra Leone, when a woman proves her competence, it still isn’t enough?
Even in 2025, capable women continue to be met with resistance, no matter how well they perform or how clearly they lead.
The recent SLPP convention was a telling example.
A party that once championed the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) law, ended up with barely any women in its executive.
For all the bold statements and policies, the results say otherwise.
This is where APC must act differently.
If the APC truly represents all people, then that must mean opening the doors for women too not just in word, but in leadership.
Right now, the moment calls for real choices.
And there’s no clearer sign of leadership readiness than Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr. She isn’t just the only woman to declare for the flagbearer race in the APC she is the only candidate, male or female, with real-time governance experience at a high level.
Yet in the middle of her announcement, there’s been silence where there should have been thunder.
Recently, entertainer and activist Zainab Sheriff made a powerful appeal for women to rise and take space.
That energy is welcome, but this is the time to act on it.
If we’re truly serious about women’s empowerment, then the first step is backing the woman already in the race, already leading, already winning battles on merit.
This is not about giving a woman a chance for the sake of gender.
It’s about giving the country its best shot at effective leadership and that person happens to be a woman.
Look at Aminata Bangura, the only woman who contested for SLFA President.
First disqualified, then reinstated she still gave the race her all.
She spoke of competence, leadership and the need to rise above political bias. But when the results came in, she was left behind not because she lacked capability but because this country still struggles to fully trust a woman in charge.
It’s a pattern we know too well.
A woman can be smart, committed, experienced and still be seen as “not quite right” for the top seat.
That thinking must stop. APC has the chance to break that cycle.
This is not about charity. It’s about responsibility. Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has already led in the toughest conditions Ebola recovery, disaster management, city transformation, youth employment, international diplomacy.
She has been tested and has delivered.
The SLPP may have failed to show that it believes in what it preaches.
The APC must now show that it walks the talk.
Zainab Sheriff asked women to step up.
Yvonne already has.
The question is whether others will now step up for her.
This moment matters.
It’s not just about who becomes flagbearer it’s about the kind of future we’re ready to build.
So to the APC delegates, ask yourselves: if not now, when?
If not Yvonne, who?
The women of this country are watching.
So is the world.
And history will remember what choice you made.
