As the country celebrate our outstanding women today, it is important to shed light on an individual that has always been committed to promoting and respecting the values of women in our society and also ensure they attain higher status in society.

The world is at a turning point. People everywhere understand and support the idea of gender equality. They know it’s not just a women’s issue, it’s a human rights issue. ‘HeForShe’ is an invitation for men and people of all genders to stand in solidarity with women to create a bold, visible and united force for gender equality. The men of HeForShe aren’t on the sidelines. They’re working with women and with each other to build businesses, raise families, and give back to their communities. Hon. Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella has and still is a true and clear definition of a HeForShe

From the 6th to the 10th of March 2013, on the celebration of the first International Women’s Day in Sierra Leone, Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, Director General of UNIDO then, led a high powered delegation to Sierra Leone comprising of Michael Sidibe, Executive Director of UNAIDS, and Cherie Blair, Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women on the invitation of both the United Nations Country Team and the Sierra Leone Government in commemoration of the International Women’s Day, in March of 2013. This is precisely nine (9) years ago that Hon. KKY came to Sierra Leone with high powered delegation who are female champions around the globe, to promote gender parity in the country.

On the eve of March 8th 2013, the celebration of International Women’s Day, Hon. Yumkella eloquently remarked the need to promote gender balance in all sectors of society. KKY re-echeod the statement of the wife of Jacob Zuma “We women account for over 50% of the population, and we gave birth to the remaining 50%.” At the occasion, KKY emphasized that, “This is why women’s empowerment and economic diversification are crucial if the country is to chart a new course for prosperity in the post-2015 context. The Government of Sierra Leone is working with UNIDO and other UN organizations to address the constraints that prevent women from participating in and benefitting from economic development,” said Yumkella. As the country celebrates Women today, it is evidently clear now that, Hon. Yumkella has been an ardent HeForShe in all his life career, as he also explained how he celebrates the lives of his two aunts he lost by writing articles published on newspapers, with the titles “My Mother; My Moral Compass, and Gender Empowerment” respectively.

Fast forward to his current position of representing his people of Constituency 062, Samu Chiefdom Kambia District in the well of Parliament, Hon. Yumkella has made several strides to push and promote women’s agenda in the country. In 2021, Hon. Yumkella drafted and submitted to Parliament and government officials a proposed bill to pass legislation to grant women and young professionals greater political participation. Dr. Yumkella ultimately championed the Gender Equality Bill and became vociferous on the need to give women at least 30% quota of Parliamentary seats and other governmental positions. Hon. Yumkella met with women’s groups and had several engagements with them on the proposed Gender Equity Bill, as he always reaffirmed his support and commitment to getting the Bill passed.

As always, Hon Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella is a respecter of Women’s rights, a promoter of Gender Equality and will always be committed in ensuring our women in Sierra Leone attain their full potential without hindrance.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY TO ALL OUR BEAUTIFUL MOTHERS, AUNTIES AND SISTERS

Below is a video in which Dr. Yumkella delivered a speech on the celebration of the first International Women’s Day