Sierra Leone is heading for its fifth consecutive election since the end of the civil war in 2002 against a backdrop of economic and political strain, gender inequality, political distrust, high youth unemployment, and widespread poverty, which have strained the nation’s economy. Inflation rates have reached a record high of 43%, and fuel costs have doubled. Notably, despite women representing just 12% of MPs, a new law requires women to make up 30% of government and political party appointments.