By: Abu H. Kargbo
With funding from ActionAid Sierra Leone, the Women’s Forum for Human Rights And Democracy (WOFHRAD) recently organised a conference to mark the celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day.
The event, held at the Sierra Leone Teachers’ Union Hall in Makeni on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, was themed “For All Women and Girls, Equality, Rights, Empowerment.” While International Women’s Day is traditionally celebrated on March 8, Emilia Kamara-Jengo, the Acting Director of WOFHRAD, explained that the conference was rescheduled to complement and support the events organised by the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs and other partners.
“We are all working towards achieving the same goal, and over the years, we’ve achieved significant milestones through collaboration,” she said.
Kamara-Jengo further emphasised that “March” should be recognised as Women’s Month, calling on the government and partners to continue empowering women and girls, especially to occupy strategic positions in decision-making structures.
“We constitute the majority of our country’s population, and we need more representation,” she stressed.
In her keynote address, Mariama Navo, the Anti-Corruption Commission’s Northern Region Manager, commended the government’s efforts and commitment to empowering women and girls through gender-specific laws. However, she also stressed the need for robust monitoring mechanisms to ensure effective implementation and realisation of these laws.
The conference, chaired by Henrietta Bangura, featured dignitaries from both the formal and informal sectors, who discussed the future of women in Sierra Leone, addressing existing challenges and opportunities.
Hawanatu Veronica Kamara, one of the participants, highlighted the significance of celebrating International Women’s Day. She noted that the day provides a platform to reflect on women’s contributions to national development, while also raising awareness and advocating for their rights and needs.