First Lady Fatima Bio Honored Among 100 Iconic Female World Leaders
Sia Lucy Kannah The First Lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Bio, is named an Iconic Woman of the Year at the UNGA81 Powerlist Honours reception in New York. The prestigious recognition was presented on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Organised by the Justina Mutale Foundation in partnership with the Art of Iconic Leadership and the World Summit on Women and Girls, the Powerlist Honours celebrate women leaders globally whose visionary leadership, advocacy, and influence drive social change and sustainable development.
She was recognised alongside former female heads of state, including: Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi; Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of Mauritius; and Rosalía Arteaga Serrano, former President of Ecuador.
Accepting the honour, Bio expressed profound gratitude, stressing that the recognition represents a collective triumph for women and girls across Sierra Leone and the African continent.
“To receive this recognition during the United Nations General Assembly is a privilege I accept with immense gratitude, not only as First Lady of Sierra Leone, but as a woman committed to using her voice and platform to advance the lives of women and girls, both in Sierra Leone and across Africa,” she stated.
Reflecting on the distinguished company of former heads of state, she noted that the moment served as a testament to the true essence of leadership.
“Standing in the company of such distinguished women is a reminder that leadership is not simply about the positions we hold, but about the lives we touch, the doors we open for others, and the legacy we leave behind,” she added.
Dedicated to her ongoing mission, the First Lady dedicated the award to the women and girls whose resilience inspires her work daily, reaffirming her commitment to empowering the next generation of female leaders across Africa.