Barbara Bangura

"Women’s rights groups have defended their position by invoking articles in Sierra Leone’s 1991constitution which say that special measures and policies can be taken where there is inequality that needs to be rectified,"

"I’d like to remind the president that this is elections year, and we think he needs to make sure his MPs support his promises and that we have the gender equality bill (enacted) into law before the elections"

"They (men) say such a rule does not allow people to freely choose who they want to represent them and infringes on people’s basic human rights."

"The idea is for political parties to ensure that those seats that are reserved for women are winnable seats, but the men are saying that such a policy is undemocratic,”"

"“If we really want to practice true democracy, the women have to be involved… we have been left out for too long"

"It’s not about competition with men; it’s about working together to move Sierra Leone forward in a very positive way"

"We are going to the women to say ‘engage your MPs that you want the quota bill passed into law or else you won’t vote for them (in coming elections)"

"women’s groups are also advocating for political parties to introduce voluntary quotas for women’s participation, in case the bill is delayed or not tabled in parliament."