His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has been recognized and celebrated by Women’s Forum Sierra Leone, the national women’s umbrella organization, for his unqualified commitment to the causes of women in Sierra Leone.

An award was also presented to the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatima Bio, for her support of women’s issues in and out of the country.

In her citation before the presentation of the honor, the National President of Women’s Forum, Mrs. Sally Adams, said “through the nurturing of your beloved mother, of blessed memory, and other great women within your family, you have imbibed great confidence in the power of women.

“Your Excellency, your strides in the empowerment of women are many and varied, culminating in the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act of November 2022 and seeking to address gender imbalances. On behalf of the Women’s Forum I have the greatest honor to present you with this Award”.

President Bio responded by first thanking the Women’s Forum for the invitation to be with them, adding that he was always delighted to be among women of the country because he was proud of who they were and what they had contributed every day to the life and wellbeing of the nation.

“A few days ago, at the House of Lords, in London, United Kingdom I proudly recounted the role of my mother and women in making me the man that I am. I reiterated that the future of Sierra Leone is indeed female and that my commitment to achieving gender parity, promoting women’s empowerment, and protecting women’s rights is not about politics or votes”.

“My government has squarely taken on the multiple deep-seated and deep-rooted challenges confronting women in our country. Challenges from unequal access to education, healthcare, justice, finance, land, public office, and more abound. As a government, our framework for action has taken a broad and even sweep of these challenges”.

“I am glad that the women of this nation, starting with the First Lady Madam Fatima Bio of our nation, to young and highly inspired girls I have met on my working visits to the farthest ends of this country, stand ready to take on these challenges with me. ‘Hands Off Our Girls’ has truly transformed how girls think about, look at themselves, and envision their future Sierra Leone of empowerment and opportunity”, he said.

He recalled that just over a week ago, Parliament voted on the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Bill that his government had laid and that he had personally urged Parliamentarians to support and pass.

“I will soon sign the bill into law, satisfied and happy that for the first time in the history of this great nation, we now have a law that serves us to begin to address gender imbalances forever. Indulge me to briefly state the key provisions of the law: at least 30% representation in Cabinet; at least 30% representation in Parliament; at least 30% of all appointments as Ambassadors/High Commissioners; at least 30% of all appointments in Local Councils; at least 30% of all appointments in the Civil Service.

“At least 30% of all appointments in private institutions with more than 25 employees; Maternal leave extended from 12 weeks to 14 weeks; financial inclusion for women; mainstreaming of the gender requirements of the Act across all sectoral policies and legal frameworks; gender-responsive and gender-sensitive budgeting; the creation of a multi-sectoral Gender Steering Committee to oversee the implementation of the Act”, the President stated.

On behalf of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, UNAIDS Country Director, Dr. Isaac Ahemesah, expressed gratitude to President Bio for all his tremendous work in and outside Sierra Leone, citing the country’s outstanding contribution at the UN General Assembly, especially in co-chairing the Education Summit with the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Gutierrez, in New York. He also mentioned the recent resolution championed by First Lady, Madam Fatima Bio, on behalf of the country.

He added that the leadership style of President Bio was inspiring and, therefore, appreciated him also for the 30% quota in the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Bill that Parliament had debated, adding that he would always continue to encourage citizens to desist from violence as the country prepared for the 2023 general elections.

Board Chair of Women’s Forum Sierra Leone, Mrs. Melrose Karminty, said that the organization was established across the country and that the women of Sierra Leone were proud of the exemplary leadership of President Bio, especially that of the significant progress that his government had made on gender issues.

“Sir, we are here this evening to recognize and appreciate the tremendous strides that you and Madam First Lady have made”, she ended.