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Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Bio, has made a passionate appeal for unity among African First Ladies as she presided over the 30th General Assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) in Addis Ababa.
Speaking in her capacity as President of OAFLAD and Chair of the Assembly, Mrs. Bio urged her colleagues to remain steadfast and united in their commitment to advancing the rights and welfare of women and girls across Africa.
Addressing fellow First Ladies during the high-level session, she reflected on her personal experiences engaging with vulnerable women and girls in Sierra Leone and across the continent.
“I spoke from the heart about the women and girls I have met across Sierra Leone and Africa,” she said, stressing that their struggles and resilience must continue to inspire collective action.
Mrs. Bio stressed that empowering women and girls should not be treated as a choice but as an obligation.
“Empowering them is not optional — it is our duty,” she declared, encouraging member states to ensure that their initiatives deliver measurable and lasting impact.
She also used the occasion to welcome new members into the organisation, reaffirming the importance of solidarity and shared responsibility.
The Organisation of African First Ladies for Development plays a critical role in championing policies and programmes that promote girls’ education, women’s economic empowerment, improved healthcare, and protection against gender-based violence. Through coordinated advocacy and continental partnerships, OAFLAD continues to serve as a powerful platform advancing opportunities and dignity for millions of girls and women across Africa.
