Post a comment 
Tension arose on Friday, 24th October 2025, when police stopped a planned press conference by Wi Duti, a newly formed women’s movement advocating for female leadership and greater representation of women in governance.
The event, scheduled at the Bintumani Conference Center in Freetown, was intended to be the organization’s first major public engagement.
According to founder Ms. Zanib Sheriff, the gathering aimed to provide a platform for women across Sierra Leone to share ideas on how to advance the country through peaceful dialogue and unity.
Speaking to journalists after the interruption, Ms. Sheriff expressed disappointment.
“This conference was called for women to explain to Sierra Leoneans how we should push our country forward. We will no longer blame the government or anyone because Sierra Leone belongs to us, and it is our responsibility to move our country to the top,” she said.
She added, “The police stopped us, saying we didn’t have clearance, but there was no reason to be afraid. We came with peace, not violence. Our goal is to show that when women fight, we fight with empathy.” According to Ms. Sheriff, the movement had sought police clearance prior to the event and was informed that indoor events at the Bintumani Conference Center typically did not require it.
Thousands of women reportedly gathered at the venue, with food, cultural entertainment, and traditional performances prepared. Members of the movement, including young people affected by the ongoing Kush drug crisis, were invited for sensitization and empowermentnot as part of a protest.
However, police on the scene reportedly cited “an order from above” as the reason for halting the event. One attendee told reporters, “They gave us no specific reason for stopping us.” Another participant described the experience as painful and discouraging. “It’s so painful because this is not about politics but the development of our country. I always hear about corruption, but today I experienced it myself. This feels like a clear abuse of power,” she said.
The Wi Duti movement, which has members across Sierra Leone, aims to promote women’s leadership and advocate for a future where women occupy top political and decision-making positions, including the presidency.
The group notes that Sierra Leone has been led by men since independence, yet the country continues to face governance and development challenges.
Despite the setback, Ms. Sheriff affirmed that the movement remains undeterred. “We will not stop. Sierra Leone belongs to all of usmen and women alike. Our fight is for inclusion, peace, and progress,” she said.
