Post a comment 
The First Lady of Sierra Leone, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, has emphasized the importance of strong family structures, women’s empowerment, and child protection in national development during the commemoration of the International Day of Families 2026 in Freetown.
Speaking after joining the Ministry of Social Welfare at the event held on Monday, May 18, 2026, at the Miatta Conference Centre, the First Lady said the theme of the conference, “Families, Inequality, and Child Wellbeing,” closely reflects the goals of her Hands Off Our Girls campaign.
According to Dr. Fatima Bio, her experience through the campaign has deepened her understanding of the critical role families play in shaping the lives and future of children.
“The theme aligns closely with the objectives of my Hands Off Our Girls campaign. Since its launch, I have come to appreciate even more deeply the central role families play as the first agents of socialization in a child’s upbringing,” she stated.
The First Lady also highlighted the commitment of the government under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio toward human capital development, stressing that no country can achieve meaningful progress if its children are neglected or denied opportunities.
“Under the leadership of my husband, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, the government recognizes the importance of strong families and has made human capital development a priority. No nation can progress if its children are left behind and disempowered,” she said.
Dr. Fatima Bio further underscored the role of women in national growth and development, noting that empowered women contribute significantly to stronger families and communities.
She commended the government for enacting the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act and reaffirmed her commitment to initiatives aimed at protecting the rights of women and girls across Sierra Leone.
“Women are pivotal to this progress. When women are empowered, families grow stronger,” the First Lady noted.
She added that her vision is to see a Sierra Leone where opportunities are equally accessible to all citizens, especially women and girls, enabling them to realize their full potential in society.
“My vision is a Sierra Leone where opportunities are fairly distributed, and where women and girls can achieve their full potential. Together, we can create an environment where every girl feels protected, valued, and inspired,” she stated.
The International Day of Families is observed globally to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase knowledge of the social, economic, and demographic processes affecting family structures worldwide.
