By Mackie M. Jalloh
On the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone and President of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), Fatima Maada Bio, convened a landmark high-level side event under the theme: “Peace and Security Through Her Eyes: Centering Women and Children in Global Peace, Stability, and Sustainable Development.”
The gathering brought together an impressive array of leaders and advocates from across Africa and the wider international community. In attendance were First Ladies from several African nations, development partners, philanthropists, civil society representatives, and influential voices committed to advancing the rights and protection of women and children.
Her Excellency Fatima Maada Bio emphasized that the event was not just a dialogue but a collective call to action. She highlighted the urgent need to make women and children central to all strategies aimed at achieving peace, stability, and sustainable development worldwide. “I truly believe that without peace and security, the world cannot become a safe, fair, or prosperous place for women and girls. Their protection, inclusion, and leadership must be central to any agenda for sustainable development and global stability,” she remarked.
The event was further elevated by the attendance of His Excellency President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau and His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone. Both leaders delivered powerful messages reaffirming their dedication to empowering women and protecting children. They underscored the pivotal role that women play in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and community resilience, stressing that no country can achieve long-term development without addressing the vulnerabilities and aspirations of women and girls.Your Attractive Heading
For First Lady Fatima Maada Bio, the theme of this year’s side event resonates deeply on a personal level. As President of OAFLAD, she has consistently advocated for greater visibility of women and children in global development discussions, while also pushing for practical commitments that can be translated into real impact on the ground.
She also used the platform to acknowledge and thank her husband, President Julius Maada Bio, for his unwavering support. She described his advocacy for gender equality and protection of women’s rights in Sierra Leone as both personal and political. Under his leadership, the government has taken bold steps to tackle gender-based violence, strengthen legislation protecting women and girls, and expand opportunities for their participation in governance and economic life. “His support is not only personal but also political, as he continues to lead efforts in Sierra Leone to end gender-based violence and promote equal opportunities,” she stated.
The side event provided a space for reflection and renewed commitments, particularly in light of global conflicts, humanitarian crises, and the disproportionate burden borne by women and children. Participants agreed that sustainable development cannot be achieved without prioritizing peace and human security, and that women’s leadership is essential in building resilient communities.
By convening this dialogue, the Sierra Leonean First Lady demonstrated her continued commitment to using international platforms to amplify the voices of women and children. The discussions not only reaffirmed OAFLAD’s mission but also served as a reminder that global peace and development must be inclusive, with women and children at the center of the agenda.
As the world looks ahead to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), leaders and partners present at the event pledged to strengthen collaboration, share knowledge, and commit resources to ensure that women and children are not sidelined but instead prioritized as agents of peace and progress.
