By: Precious Miracle Kargbo Snr
Women’s Forum Sierra Leone has paid glowing tribute to Dr. Setcheme Jeronime Mongbo as she concludes her tenure as UN Women Country Representative, crediting her with strengthening and uniting the women’s movement across Sierra Leone.
The farewell ceremony was held at the UN Women Sierra Leone office and attended by women leaders, development partners, civil society actors, and other stakeholders.
In a statement released by the Forum, the organization commended Dr. Mongbo for her unwavering commitment to advancing the rights and empowerment of women and girls throughout the country. The Forum noted that her leadership transformed the partnership between UN Women and local women-led organizations, turning promising initiatives into impactful programmes that reached communities nationwide.
During her tenure, Dr. Mongbo worked closely with Women’s Forum Sierra Leone on several flagship initiatives, including the POWER Salone Project, the Customary Land Rights Sensitisation Campaign, and the ENPOWER Salone Initiative. Through these programmes, thousands of women and community members gained access to skills training, legal awareness, and economic opportunities aimed at enhancing their independence and decision-making power.
The Forum also highlighted Dr. Mongbo’s significant contribution to advocacy efforts surrounding the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, a landmark piece of legislation designed to address disparities in political participation, education, and economic empowerment for women.
Additionally, she was credited with supporting institutional strengthening under the Spotlight Initiative 2.0 Programme, particularly in the areas of financial management, safeguarding systems, and the development of survivor-centred response mechanisms for cases of gender-based violence.
According to the statement, Dr. Mongbo regarded Women’s Forum Sierra Leone and other women-led organizations as genuine partners, fostering trust, collaboration, and mutual respect across the sector. The Forum emphasized that this approach helped build stronger networks and encouraged a more coordinated effort toward achieving gender equality in Sierra Leone.
“As she moves on, we do not say goodbye; we say thank you,” the statement read.
Women’s Forum Sierra Leone reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the work and vision championed by Dr. Mongbo, noting that women across the country are stronger today because of her dedication, leadership, and advocacy.
The organization wished Dr. Mongbo every success in her future endeavors, describing her not only as a valued development partner but also as a steadfast friend of the women’s movement in Sierra Leone.