By Mo Hamad Kargbo
Honourable Rose Marie Bangura, Member of Parliament representing Tonkolili District and Vice President of the Female Caucus in Sierra Leone’s Parliament, has described her recent election as Vice President of the Regional Female Caucus at the Pan-African Parliament in South Africa as a major victory for Sierra Leone.
Speaking to members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery shortly after a parliamentary sitting, Honourable Rose Marie Bangura expressed gratitude and pride over the achievement, noting that her election has elevated Sierra Leone’s image on the regional stage.
“I feel very good about this position, and it is a win for Sierra Leone,” she stated. “For Sierra Leone to emerge victorious in such an election is a significant achievement and a great honour for our country.”
According to Honourable Rose Marie Bangura, her election was uncontested due to her dedication, hard work, and meaningful contributions within the Pan-African Parliament. She disclosed that five countries nominated her for the position and that no other candidate contested against her during the election process.
“The election was unopposed because of my commitment and the contributions I have been making within the Parliament. Five countries nominated me, and after the nomination process, no country presented a candidate against me,” she explained.
Honourable Rose Marie emphasized that her new role would bring numerous benefits to Sierra Leone, particularly for women and vulnerable groups across the country. She disclosed that the Pan-African Parliament works closely with various international organizations and institutions, creating opportunities for development programmes and partnerships.
She said she intends to use her position to advocate for projects and programmes that will benefit Sierra Leonean women, particularly in the areas of healthcare, education, and economic empowerment.
“Within the Parliament, we engage with many organizations, and through those engagements, opportunities and programmes emerge. I will advocate for those programmes to be brought to Sierra Leone, especially initiatives that will benefit women,” she noted.
The lawmaker stressed that her advocacy would not only focus on educated or privileged women but would also prioritize grassroots women who often lack access to opportunities and support.
“When we talk about women, we are not only referring to women in leadership positions. We are also talking about women at the grassroots level who struggle daily to provide for themselves and their families. Those are the women we represent, and those are the women we want to uplift,” she said.
She further stated that empowering only elite women while neglecting those at the grassroots level would defeat the purpose of women’s advocacy and inclusive development.
“As long as I remain in this position, I will continue to advocate for programmes and projects that will benefit women across Sierra Leone, especially those at the grassroots level,” Honourable Rose Marie assured.
Honourable Rose Marie Bangura disclosed that her tenure as Vice President of the Regional Female Caucus at the Pan-African Parliament will last for three years and end in 2029, when fresh elections are expected to be conducted.
She concluded by calling for support from the Government of Sierra Leone, development partners, and the media, expressing confidence that such support would enable her to succeed in her new international role and deliver meaningful benefits for Sierra Leonean women.
