ICPNC Executive Secretary Joins Female Leaders to Inspire Girls at 11th National Girls’ Empowerment Forum
Aminata Koroma The Executive Secretary of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), Hawa Sally Samai, has joined other female leaders to inspire young girls to embrace their identity, build self-confidence and make responsible decisions about their future at the 11th Annual National Girls’ Empowerment Forum.
The forum, organised by Kids Advocacy Network Sierra Leone with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women and the Universal Access Development Fund (UADF), was held at Parliament Committee Room 1. It brought together prominent female leaders who shared their personal and professional experiences to encourage young girls to recognise their worth and make positive life choices.
Speaking as a panelist, Samai drew from her personal experiences to emphasise the importance of self-respect and self-worth. She encouraged the girls to take pride in their appearance, dress appropriately and be mindful of the people they associate with.
She also cautioned against peer pressure, noting that the desire to fit in should never lead young people to abandon their values and beliefs. She urged the girls to have the courage to make the right decisions, even when those choices differ from what their peers are doing.
Other panelists, including the Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), Musayeroh Barrie, and the Proprietress of Excel Academy, Onikeh King, also shared their experiences and advice.
Barrie encouraged the girls to appreciate their uniqueness and avoid comparing themselves with others, while King highlighted the negative effects of bullying and urged them not to allow hurtful comments about their appearance to undermine their confidence.
The discussions emphasised that a person’s worth should not be determined by how others perceive them but by how they see and value themselves.
Through Madam Samai’s participation, the ICPNC continues to promote respect, inclusion, positive values and responsible decision-making among young people. These principles are essential not only for personal development but also for building a peaceful and united Sierra Leone.
The forum provided an opportunity for young girls to learn from women with diverse professional backgrounds and recognise that, with confidence, determination and strong values, they too can become leaders and make meaningful contributions to their communities.