By: Saidu Jalloh
Hon. Dr. Isata Mahoi has called on UN Women’s inaugural cohort of Change Makers to focus on economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and gender equality as they embark on their internships. Speaking at the Change Makers’ Orientation held at Sierra Palms, Lumley, Freetown, Dr. Mahoi emphasized the importance of hard work, determination, and strategic focus in addressing gender disparities in Sierra Leone.
“While doing your internship, I urge you to assess the space provided for women and explore how they can position themselves to reach leadership roles. Focus on empowering women economically and strategically,” Dr. Mahoi stated.
She highlighted the ongoing efforts in financial inclusion, noting that the World Bank and the Bank of Sierra Leone are collaborating on a project to enable at least 30% of Sierra Leonean women to access financial opportunities. “Although progress has been made, much remains to be done to ensure women are fully included in financial systems,” she added.
Dr. Mahoi commended her predecessor and other stakeholders for their relentless efforts in promoting gender equality. She also acknowledged the upcoming launch of the 16 Days of Activism campaign and urged Change Makers to actively engage in fighting gender-based violence.
“Next week, we’ll be launching the 16 Days of Activism. As Change Makers, think about how you can contribute to the fight against domestic and gender-based violence. Be the change we want to see,” she encouraged.
The Minister also called on the Ministry of Youth Affairs to include more girls in their initiatives, pushing beyond the 30% benchmark for female participation. She expressed pride in Sierra Leone’s growing reputation on the global stage for gender equality efforts, attributing much of the progress to President Julius Maada Bio’s leadership.
Dr. Mahoi concluded by addressing the young men in the cohort and urging collaboration with women to drive meaningful change. “It’s by working together that we can truly transform society,” she said.
The Change Makers’ Orientation, organized by UN Women in Sierra Leone, empowers young interns with insights and tools to champion gender equality and contribute to transformative partnerships.