The Commonwealth has asked Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Dr Fatima Maada Bio, to lead the formation of a newly established platform called the Commonwealth First Ladies Unit.

The initiative aims to bring together First Ladies from member countries to work together on shared global issues.

A memo reviewed by Africa Global Affairs Weekly confirms that Dr Bio has been appointed to guide the setup of the platform and help shape its early direction. The Unit is expected to focus on improving access to education for girls, strengthening maternal and child health, addressing digital exclusion, and supporting climate resilience in vulnerable countries.

Dr Bio has shared a vision for the Unit that includes rotating leadership among regions, so that all areas of the Commonwealth including smaller states in the Caribbean, Pacific, and Africa have a fair voice.

Before this new role, Dr Bio gained international attention for her Hands Off Our Girls campaign, which tackles child marriage and gender-based violence. The campaign has been supported by organizations like UNICEF, UNFPA, and the African Union.

In this new responsibility, Dr Bio will help coordinate meetings, represent the group at international events, and work with global partners on shared projects. She will also lead efforts to gather support for programs that promote education, health, and development across the Commonwealth.

According to the Commonwealth, the First Ladies Unit is being formed as a long-term platform to support cooperation and practical action among First Ladies. The plan includes creating a system for knowledge-sharing and collective problem-solving.

Dr Bio said the goal is not just to bring people together, but to build something lasting that reflects the voices and needs of people who are often not heard in global discussions.

This new role gives Sierra Leone a place in an international leadership space and opens the door for more engagement in global partnerships through its First Lady.