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First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio had the distinct honour of serving as keynote speaker at the 5th Edition of the International Women Leaders Forum, held at the prestigious Palais du Luxembourg, Salle Clemenceau in Paris, France.
Addressing an audience of global leaders under the theme “Women’s Excellence in Education and Female Entrepreneurship,” the First Lady highlighted the inseparable link between education and entrepreneurship.
She noted that while education equips women with knowledge, entrepreneurship provides the platform to transform that knowledge into economic independence, innovation, and leadership.
Mrs Bio emphasised that denying a girl her right to education is tantamount to denying a nation its future. According to her, every educated girl holds the potential to become a leader, entrepreneur, scientist, or even President, stressing that investing in girls’ education remains one of the most powerful commitments any country can make.
She also used the platform to spotlight Sierra Leone’s flagship Hands Off Our Girls campaign, launched in 2018 under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio. The initiative, she noted, continues to record significant gains in addressing gender-based violence, reducing child marriage, and expanding access to education for girls across the country.
The First Lady acknowledged that while women globally are driving innovation and creating opportunities, many still face barriers, including limited access to finance, technology, markets, and mentorship.
She called for sustained efforts to equip girls with quality education and digital and financial skills, while creating enabling pathways for women entrepreneurs to succeed.
In her concluding remarks, Mrs Bio urged world leaders to commit to building a future where every girl completes her education, and every woman with a business idea has access to opportunity. She stressed that leadership should be defined by competence and character, not gender.
She expressed hope that the Forum would be remembered not only as a gathering of remarkable women, but as a catalyst for meaningful and lasting action.
