Abstract

This study highlights the gender gap in contemporary Sierra Leone society, and discusses the constraints and underlying attitudes which determine women’s disadvantaged position. As new resources, opportunities and structures are introduced in the course of development in Sierra Leone, gender differentials are becoming apparent. Women form a minority in the new wage labor sector, but majority of the petty traders. This research provides an analytical and predictive overview of the current issues on gender analysis on the role of women in the socio-economic development of Sierra Leone. These issues are presented under the following headings: education, socio-political, economy and labor. Gender gaps revealed in the most recent statistics are highlighted, together with an analysis of gender constraints which lead to women being disadvantaged in accessing the materials and non-material resources in contemporary Sierra Leone. The study found that the aftermath of the civil war, polygamy, traditional beliefs backed up with religious practices and lack of educational and global exposure have played a key role in keeping the women voice down in Sierra Leone.

Key words: Socio- economic development, political, gender, education.