Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio, the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, has been honored with the prestigious “WOMAN OF THE YEAR” award by the Global Woman Award.

During the ceremony, Professor Pauline Long, CEO of the Global Woman Award, lauded Dr. Fatima Maada  Bio as “the best First Lady in the World.” She remarked that the work Mrs. Maada Bio is doing “did not start today,” but “has been ongoing for a well over twenty years ago.”

Professor Long expressed her delight and pride in Mrs. Maada Bio’s global advocacy efforts on behalf of women and girls. “We just want to encourage you to continue to be our voice,” Professor Pauline Long urged Dr. Fatima Maada Bio.

In response, Mrs. Maada Bio expressed humility at receiving the accolade and gratitude “for the opportunity to serve humanity.” She credited her husband, His Excellency the Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, for empowering and encouraging her to fulfill her role, stating that he has provided her with a bigger platform to make a difference in the lives of others, and she is happy to do the best she can to achieve that.

The First Lady also extended thanks to the people of Sierra Leone for their unwavering support and their relentless contributions to the President’s vision.

The brief but significant ceremony took place at the prestigious Lancaster Hotel in London, where Professor Pauline Long, CEO of the Global Woman Award, presided over the event.