By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu -Bo City
Fatmata Grace Okekearu represented Sierra Leone on the global stage in Amsterdam, Netherlands, where she participated in the official closing ceremony of the Reclaim Sustainability Project held at the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT), Mauritskade.
The high-level event brought together key stakeholders, development partners, policymakers, private sector representatives, and civil society actors from across West Africa and beyond to assess progress and share lessons learned in promoting sustainable land use and strengthening community resilience.
The multi-country programme, implemented in Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Côte d’Ivoire, focused on expanding civic space, promoting gender inclusion, strengthening producers’ rights, and advancing environmental sustainability.
Speaking under the theme “Voice to Value,” Okekearu delivered a compelling analysis of women’s land rights in Sierra Leone. She outlined the deep-rooted structural and cultural norms that have historically restricted women’s access to land ownership, noting that entrenched customs and patriarchal systems continue to limit women’s participation in land governance.
She emphasized that in many rural communities, land ownership and control remain largely male-dominated, leaving women despite their central role in agriculture and food production with limited decision-making power. According to her, this imbalance not only undermines gender equality but also weakens efforts toward sustainable development.
However, Okekearu highlighted a gradual but significant shift in the narrative. She pointed to growing recognition of women as key actors in agriculture and land management, with many now emerging as community leaders, innovative farmers, and advocates for change.
She further noted that sustained advocacy, progressive policy reforms, and grassroots engagement initiatives are beginning to transform traditional perceptions and practices. These efforts, she said, are helping to amplify women’s voices and pave the way for more inclusive and equitable land ownership systems.
“Empowering women with secure land rights is not just a matter of fairness,” she stressed. “It is fundamental to achieving food security, boosting economic growth, and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.”
The Amsterdam gathering marked the culmination of years of collaborative work across participating countries, providing a platform to showcase achievements, exchange knowledge, and renew commitments to advancing gender equality in land access.
Okekearu’s participation underscores Sierra Leone’s growing visibility and contribution to global discussions on sustainable development, gender equity, and land governance. It also reflects the country’s ongoing efforts to promote women’s empowerment and inclusive growth at both national and international levels.