For Mariama Bundu, her journey toward a better future began with unexpected hardships. Like many young women, she left Sierra Leone in search of opportunities, hoping to build a more secure life. Instead, she faced hardship and uncertainty in a foreign country for two years. With support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mariama was eventually able to return home.

Determined to help other young women avoid similar experiences, Mariama co-founded Women and Girls Against Irregular Migration, a community-based organization (CBO) that supports returnees and provides skills training to help them rebuild their lives. Additionally, it provides critical  information such as details on sexual and reproductive health rights that enables them to make informed choices about their lives.

Her organization was one of the 40 winners of the Young Women Leading Change Innovation Challenge, an initiative led by the Ministry of Youth Affairs in partnership with UNFPA to empower young women with leadership and entrepreneurial opportunities and enhance their agency. With the seed funding received through the Innovation Challenge, Mariama’s CBO has been able to provide vocational training to young women, including returnees, equipping them with essential skills to improve their livelihoods. The initiative also serves as a platform to empower the young women with SRH information.

“Our goal was to train 10 vulnerable returnee women and equip them with essential livelihood skills they need to support themselves,” Mariama explains. “With funding from UNFPA and the Ministry of Youth Affairs, we purchased sewing machines and hired a trainer to teach tailoring skills.’’

Among the young women benefiting from this initiative is Aisha Kamara from Kambia District.

Aisha had left Sierra Leone after a friend abroad promised her a better life. She was still in school, but the need to support her family pushed her to migrate to a foreign country. However, when she reached her destination, she realized the opportunities she had been promised did not exist.

“What my friend told me is not what I found,” Aisha recalls. “I thought I was going to work and have a better life, but everything was different.”

Alone in a foreign country, Aisha struggled to survive while facing pressure from home to provide for them.

Realizing she could not continue living in a foreign country where she faced hardship and illness while struggling to meet her family’s financial expectations, Aisha made the difficult decision to return home. On her journey back, she learned about Women and Girls Against Irregular Migration and how it was helping returnees reintegrate into their communities. Inspired by their work, she decided to join the organization’s skills training programme.

“Before now, I had no skills to help me earn a living,” Aisha says. “But through this programme, I have learned how to sew, and I now have an opportunity to support myself.”

Beyond acquiring new skills, Isha has found a sense of belonging and encouragement.

“We come together every day to learn and support each other,” she shares. “This space has given me the confidence to believe in myself again.”

For Mariama, supporting young women like Isha is at the core of her mission. She remains committed to ensuring that young women—particularly those at risk of unsafe migration—have access to the opportunities they need to thrive.

“When we talk about youth, we must also think about young women,” Mariama says. “Many face challenges that push them toward migration or other risky situations. Through this initiative, we are helping them build a better future in their own country.” 

Despite the challenges, Mariama remains hopeful.

“With more support, we can reach even more young women,” she says, “this is not just about skills training—it’s about giving young women the chance to build their future with dignity.”

Through the Young Women Leading Change Innovation Challenge, the Women and Girls Against Irregular Migration Organization is creating opportunities for returnees and vulnerable young women. 

In November 2024, President Rtd. Brigadier Dr. Julius Madda Bio officially launched several key initiatives for youth employment and empowerment, including the Young Women Leading Change Innovation Challenge. Previously announced on International Youth Day, the challenge is aimed at amplifying young women's leadership and supporting innovative solutions led by young-women to address key development challenges in their communities. The 40 winners of the challenge covered 15 of the country's 16 districts, including remote rural settings, and span issues from entrepreneurship and income generation, to agriculture, protecting the environment, and advancing SRHR.  Eight out of the 40 initiatives were led by young women living with disabilities.

Media Contacts: Islander Kabia | Communications Unit| UNFPA Sierra Leone | ikabia@unfpa.org