First Lady Dr Fatima Bio was honoured for her leadership in empowering women and girls

𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐃𝐫. 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝐁𝐢𝐨 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐚𝐭 𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐅𝐄𝐏𝐀 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭. In recognition of her unwavering commitment to the protection and empowerment of women and girls in Africa, Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, received a distinguished award from the West Africa Youth Assembly. The trailblazer award was presented during the opening session of the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA) Summit on Friday February 9th 2024 at the Freetown International Conference Center. This acknowledgment celebrates her outstanding contributions locally and globally in championing the rights and empowerment of women and girls across Africa. Her Excellency’s tireless advocacy and impactful initiatives have earned her widespread acclaim both locally and globally. As the country’s First Lady, she has spearheaded numerous programs aimed at uplifting and empowering women and girls in various spheres of life. One of her notable local initiatives is the "Hands Off Our Girls" campaign, which seeks to address issues such as gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, and child marriage in Sierra Leone. Through this campaign, she has worked tirelessly to raise awareness, advocate for stricter laws and policies to protect women and girls, and provide support services for vulnerable women and girls. Furthermore, her efforts have extended beyond Sierra Leone's borders, earning her recognition on the global stage. Her Excellency has been a vocal advocate for women's rights at international forums such as the United Nations General Assembly, where she has championed initiatives aimed at advancing gender equality and women's empowerment across the African continent. Her leadership and advocacy have earned her recognition from various international organizations and leaders, further cementing her position as a global champion for women and girls. In addition to her advocacy work, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio has also been instrumental in implementing practical solutions to address the challenges facing women and girls. Under her leadership, various empowerment programs have been launched to provide women with access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities thereby enabling them to lead dignified and fulfilling lives. The recognition bestowed upon H.E. Dr. Fatima Maada Bio at the ECOFEPA Summit serves as a testament to her remarkable dedication and leadership in advancing the rights and well-being of women and girls in Africa. As she continues her tireless efforts to break barriers and create opportunities for women and girls across Africa, her impact will undoubtedly resonate for generations to come.