Meet our Woman Crush for today, Isata Mahoi

Isata Mahoi is Sierra Leone’s current Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs. The journey to being a minister overseeing the affairs of children and gender wasn’t an easy one.

Born into a royal family at Ribbi in Moyamba District Southern Sierra Leone, Isata was a Sierra Leonean radio talk show host and actress. Mahoi, who is commonly known in Sierra Leone by her stage name Mammy Saio, is one of the most famous Sierra Leonean entertainers.
She became popular after playing ‘Mammy Saio’ in the famous Talking Drum studio soap opera Atunda Ayenda – a show created in November, 2001 through non-governmental organization, Search For Common Ground (SFCG) to help people understand the political and social conditions that have unfolded in Sierra Leone. The show is broadcast on all major radio stations throughout Sierra Leone, and has now been moved to the Internet radio.

As a lover of knowledge, education and information, Mahoi is a holder of many degrees, holding Diplomas in Community Management and Development Studies, B.A Development Studies, M.Sc, Development Economics and International Cooperation from the University of Rome, Tor Vergata, and a Ph.D in Economic Policy from the Catholic University of Milan, Italy.

Owning more than 15 years professional experience in the areas of Advocacy, research, gender (women, youth and children’s issues), HIV/AIDS, human Rights, Economic Policy Analyst, experience in designing and conducting research, the 44-year-old became one of the few women appointed by President Julius Maada Bio to serve in his cabinet.

Being part of her professional work, Isata is actively involved in peace building processes in Sierra Leone and participated in many peace building programs inside and outside the country.