BO, Sierra Leone, 16 October 2023- The International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC) – observed annually on 11 October – is a global platform to advocate for the full spectrum of girls’ rights. As part of the 2023 IDGC 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 The Gambia and Liberia. Held under the theme "She Can Lead; She Is a Leader, the summit focused on empowering girls with the skills they need to assume leadership roles. 

Speaking at the event Nadia Rasheed, UNFPA Representative, noted that her organization fully believes in the power of girls and young people and their potential to promote positive change in their communities; “We are investing in a cleaner and more promising future for everyone by investing in their education, health, and empowerment” she said. She further observed that the Summit was an essential platform for bringing stakeholders together, inspiring young people, especially girls, and giving them the tools they needed to overcome challenges and realise their ambitions.

Summit participants had the opportunity to learn from outstanding leaders through a series of interactive seminars, lively conversations, and mentorship sessions. Topics including mental health, leadership, business, and sexual and reproductive health education were highlighted, giving participants essential knowledge and tools to help them find their path to a brighter future.

Hannah Kargbo, the Executive Director of Girls' Advocacy and Development Network, a girl-focused organisation devoted to advancing gender equality and defending the rights of girls in Sierra Leone, expressed her delight about holding the summit. “The summit is 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 Sierra Leone and partners for supporting the Girls’ Summit.

Isaac Ahemesah, UNAIDS Representative, said at the same event that the summit was extremely important because it gave 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.

Dr. Ibrahim Franklin Kamara, WHO Sierra Leone's Technical Officer for Child and Adolescent Health, also spoke at the event and expressed WHO’s gratitude at being one of the strategic partners at this year’s Summit. He indicated that WHO offers its technical assistance improvement of the health and wellbeing of young girls and adolescents through the Life Stage Approach

Edwina Jamiru, a participant from Kenema District shared her feedback of the summit's results, revealing her experience as a GBV survivor. She exhorted her fellow students to band together, take a position, and empower themselves just as she had done for herself.

Marie Bangura, another participant with hearing impairment, highlighted her remarkable learning experience on sexual and reproductive health and rights in her expression of her newly acquired knowledge and respect. She expressed her delight at getting to go to the peak.

Other speakers at the summit included Esther Elliot Nyuma, Child Protection and Safeguarding Specialist at Plan International, Rachel Wolff, Country Director of CARE International Sierra Leone, and Daniel Kettor, the Executive Director of Rainbo Initiative.

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