In a meeting convened by Women’s Forum Sierra Leone, the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Maada Bio, urged women to take full advantage of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act as a key pillar for the nation’s progress.
Addressing women leaders from across the country on July 29th, 2023, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio emphasized that the Act not only ensures a 30% minimum quota for women’s employment but also aims to safeguard and promote women’s rights in all spheres of society.
Bio called upon the newly appointed Gender Minister to lead public education campaigns, raising awareness about the rights and responsibilities enshrined in the gender equality and women’s empowerment law.
During the forum, the First Lady encouraged various women’s groups and the recently appointed female ministers to work together cohesively to foster national development and uplift women.
Rejecting the divisive politics of colors, especially post-election, she emphasized the need for all citizens to unite as Sierra Leoneans and support the President’s agenda for the collective benefit of the nation.
Proudly introducing herself as Fatima Maada Bio, the wife of President Maada Bio, she emphasized the importance of seeing beyond tribal, regional, or political affiliations and working together for progress.
Expressing her delight at the unprecedented forty-two women serving in Parliament, she called on these women leaders to fulfill their roles effectively and not disappoint the President, who has provided a unique platform and space for women in leadership.
The meeting saw the presence of newly appointed Ministers of Social Welfare, Planning and Economic Development, Gender and Children’s Affairs, Sports, the Women’s Forum National President, and various women’s leaders from different parts of the country.
Freetown