By Ramatulai Timbo
PORT LOKO – In a powerful celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child, the Girls Alliance Incorporation (GAI) has concluded a two-day “Girls Rise Up” conference, mobilising over 150 adolescent girls and boys from across the district. The event was held under the resonant theme, “Girls’ Vision for the Future: Building a World Where All Girls Thrive.”
The conference was designed as a platform to equip young women with leadership and advocacy skills, empowering them to become architects of change in their communities. In her opening address, the Executive Director of GAI, Madam Fatmata Sankoh, underscored the critical importance of such initiatives. She stated that the conference focused on empowering adolescent girls and young women through direct mentorship and leadership training, enabling them to develop solutions to pressing challenges in their communities and Sierra Leone at large.
“This initiative supports adolescent girls and their allies in amplifying girls’ voices, launching girl-led advocacy campaigns, and engaging decision-makers to advance girls’ rights,” Madam Sankoh affirmed. She added that the program fosters life-changing relationships between girls and adult allies, building a robust capacity for the next generation of leaders. Sharing a personal story, she vividly depicted the common hurdles faced by young women striving for a better future.
The representative from Youth Partnership for Peace and Development (YPPD), Mr. Ibriham Saidu Kamara, emphasised that the day was set aside to recognise the inherent “power, potential, and promise of every girl.” He acknowledged the persistent adversities girls confront, from limited access to education and early marriage to gender-based violence and exclusion from leadership positions.
“Yet, despite these barriers, girls continue to rise, breaking stereotypes, leading change, and shaping a better future for all,” Mr. Kamara declared. “At YPPD, we believe that when girls rise, communities thrive.” He issued a call to action, urging the government, civil society, parents, and communities to stand with girls by investing in their education, protecting their rights, and ensuring their voices are heard.
The keynote speaker, Madam Rugiatu Neneh Turay, Executive Director of AIM Sierra Leone, commended the government and development partners for their efforts in raising the status of the girl child. She outlined the profound societal benefits of investing in girls, which range from better education and a healthier environment to a more productive society.
Madam Turay, however, sounded a note of caution, observing that despite these strides, many girls are still forced to drop out of school due to related challenges such as GBV and discrimination, hindering them from achieving their full potential. She stated that the conference theme aptly highlights the resilience and leadership of girls in challenging situations, emphasising their indispensable role in shaping a better future.
The event also featured motivational speeches from other figures who shared past personal struggles to encourage the adolescents to remain focused. A pivotal panel discussion saw experts from diverse fields, including leadership, HIV/AIDS, and Sexual and Reproductive Health, engage the audience on issues critically affecting young girls and adolescents.
