BO, Sierra Leone, 16 October 2023- The International Day of the Girl Child, observed annually on 11 October, is a global commemoration to advocate for the full spectrum of girls’ rights. As part of the 2023 commemoration, under the theme “Invest in Girls' Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being”, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), joined UNAIDS, WHO, and other stakeholders in supporting the 4th National Girls Summit, organized by the Girls Advocacy and Development Network (GADNet).
The Summit, which was held in Bo on 16-18 October 2023, brought together 500 young people from all 16 districts of Sierra Leone as well as from the Gambia and Liberia. The summit focused on empowering girls with the skills they need to assume leadership roles, under the theme "She Can Lead; She Is a Leader.”
Speaking at the event, Nadia Rasheed, UNFPA Representative, reaffirmed the power of girls and young people and their potential to promote positive change in their communities. She highlighted that the Summit was an essential platform for supporting girls’ leadership, inspiring young people, and giving them the tools they need to overcome challenges and realize their ambitions.
Summit participants had the opportunity to learn from leaders and peers through a series of interactive seminars, lively conversations, and mentorship sessions, covering topics such as sexual and reproductive health, mental health, leadership, and employment. The sessions were aimed at providing essential knowledge and tools to help participants in their path to a brighter future.
Hannah Kargbo, the Executive Director of GADNet, a girl-focused organization devoted to advancing gender equality and defending the rights of girls in Sierra Leone, expressed her delight on the convening of the summit. “The summit is a testament to our collective dedication to addressing the unique challenges that girls and young people face in today's world while celebrating their remarkable achievements and potential,” she said while thanking UNFPA and partners for supporting the Girls’ Summit.
Isaac Ahemesah, UNAIDS Representative, emphasized that importance of the Summit in providing young people a platform to raise awareness of the problems they encounter every day. ‘‘You are not only participants but living witnesses to the issues affecting this generation. From education disparities to sexual and reproductive health, the HIV crisis, and the alarming teenage pregnancy rates, your stories bear evidence of the urgent need for solutions,” he said.
Other speakers at the summit included Rachel Wolff, Country Director of CARE International, Daniel Kettor, Executive Director of Rainbo Initiative, Esther Elliot Nyuma, Child Protection and Safeguarding Specialist at Plan International, and Dr. Ibrahim Franklin Kamara, Technical Officer for Child and Adolescent Health at WHO.
Media Contacts: Islander Kabia | Communications Unit| UNFPA Sierra Leone | ikabia@unfpa.org
