First Lady Fatima Bio Receives Liberia’s Defence Minister in Freetown
First Lady Dr Fatima Maada Bio has received Brigadier General (Rtd.) Geraldine Janet George, Liberia’s first female Minister of Defence, at her Goderich Office in Freetown.
According to the First Lady, discussions during the meeting focused on strengthening the longstanding bilateral ties and cooperation between Sierra Leone and Liberia.
Dr Bio highlighted her appreciation for the role of the armed forces, noting that as the wife of a retired Brigadier, she has gained a deeper understanding of the sacrifices and challenges faced by military personnel in maintaining peace, security, and national stability.
She described Brigadier General George’s appointment as both historic and inspiring, emphasising that it demonstrates the capacity of women to lead effectively in sectors traditionally dominated by men.
The First Lady also commended the Government of Liberia for what she termed a significant milestone, noting that it sets an important example for the sub-region.
Dr Bio further called for continued efforts to promote the empowerment of women and girls, urging stakeholders to break barriers and create more opportunities for women to occupy leadership and decision-making roles across Africa.