First Lady Fatima Bio Marks Seven Years of Impact
By Mackie M. Jalloh
Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone and President of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), has joined fellow African First Ladies in celebrating the far-reaching achievements of Sierra Leone’s Hands Off Our Girls campaign, a flagship initiative that has reshaped national attitudes toward the protection and empowerment of women and girls.
The high-level gathering provided an opportunity not only to commemorate progress made over the past seven years, but also to reflect on the social transformation driven by a movement that has challenged deeply entrenched norms and brought the issues of rape, sexual violence, and early marriage to the center of national discourse. Once shrouded in silence or normalized within communities, these harmful practices are now openly condemned, criminalized, and increasingly confronted through both law and advocacy.
Launched under the leadership of the First Lady, the Hands Off Our Girls campaign emerged at a critical moment in Sierra Leone’s post-conflict development journey, when sexual violence and teenage pregnancy were undermining the future of countless girls. The campaign quickly evolved from a national call to action into a broad-based social movement, mobilizing institutions, communities, and individuals around a shared responsibility to protect girls’ rights, dignity, and bodily autonomy.
Central to the campaign’s success has been its inclusive and grassroots-driven strategy. Rather than relying solely on policy statements or elite advocacy, the initiative deliberately engaged everyday actors within society. Local musicians, okada (motorbike) riders, market women, drivers, religious leaders, youth groups, and community elders were brought into the conversation, ensuring that the message reached both urban centers and remote rural communities.
Music and popular culture played a particularly powerful role. Well-known artists used their platforms to speak out against rape and child marriage, embedding the campaign’s message in songs that resonated across generations. This creative approach helped break taboos, sparked conversations within families and peer groups, and demonstrated how culture can be harnessed as a tool for social change rather than oppression.
Reflecting on the campaign’s journey, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio expressed pride in the measurable and symbolic gains achieved so far. She noted that public awareness of gender-based violence has significantly increased, reporting mechanisms have improved, and survivors are increasingly encouraged to speak out and seek justice. At the same time, she acknowledged that challenges remain deeply rooted.
“Gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, and early marriage continue to affect too many of our communities,” the First Lady noted. “But I remain convinced that through unity, sustained advocacy, and collective responsibility, these challenges are not insurmountable.”
She emphasized that the campaign was never intended as a short-term project, but as a generational commitment to changing attitudes, strengthening institutions, and protecting the rights of girls long after slogans fade. According to her, real progress requires persistence, community ownership, and continued political will.
The First Lady also paid tribute to her Sister First Ladies from across Africa, thanking them for their solidarity and shared commitment to advancing the rights of women and girls on the continent. As President of OAFLAD, Dr. Bio has consistently pushed for cross-border learning and collective action, arguing that the challenges facing African women and girls are interconnected and demand continental solutions.
She further expressed gratitude to the women and girls of Sierra Leone for their courage and resilience, recognizing survivors who have spoken out despite stigma and fear. Special appreciation was extended to HeForShe men who have stood as allies, challenging harmful norms within their own circles and supporting efforts to protect girls.
Dr. Bio also acknowledged the unwavering support of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, whose backing, she said, has been instrumental in strengthening laws, institutions, and national commitment to gender justice.
In closing, the First Lady reaffirmed her belief that Sierra Leone’s experience demonstrates what is possible when leadership, community action, and moral clarity converge. United in purpose, she stressed, Sierra Leone and Africa can build a future where every woman and girl lives free from violence, fear, and discrimination—and where their potential is protected, nurtured, and allowed to flourish.
