S’ LEONE FIRST LADY: WOMEN’S RIGHTS UNDER SIEGE

Sierra Leone has made significant strides in addressing gender disparities. First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio (@FirstLadyBio - X) has been at the forefront of initiatives to promote gender equality and empower women and girls. It’s Mother’s Day across much of Africa today. For the occasion, we share this video of her talking about women having a seat at the table when it comes to making decisions. She says ‘pushing women into the kitchen’ is strangling her country’s development. She compares it to telling Muhammad Ali to box with one fist (though, to be fair, he’d probably still do all right!). The First Lady’s Hands Off Our Girls campaign, launched in 2018, combats gender-based violence, early marriage and teenage pregnancy. This has led to significant changes in the law, including an amendment to the Sexual Offences Act, increasing penalties for r*pe, and the establishment of a Fast-Track Special Court for s*xual assaults. Hats off!