Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio has called for visionary leadership to combat global inequality at the London Political Summit and Awards (LPSA-2024), the Palace of Westminster, Houses of Parliament in London.
In her capacity as Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker Dr. Fatima Maada Bio delivered a resounding speech to a hall filled with a cross-section of members from both houses of the British Parliament, Ministers of State, as well as parliamentarians from countries including Malawi, Kenya, and Nigeria.
“We stand at a crossroads,” declared Dr. Fatima Bio, in an impassioned address that set the tone for the international gathering, with a powerful call for visionary leadership to drive socioeconomic progress and gender equality.
“In today’s world, we are living with the most unprecedented volatilities, uncertainties, complexities, and ambiguities,” Dr. Fatima Bio pointed out, underscoring the urgency of bold, forward-thinking leadership. She highlighted how visionary leadership is essential for understanding the intrinsic connection between socioeconomic and gender equality and the future of good governance.
Reflecting on her role as Sierra Leone’s First Lady, she shared her pride and humility in representing her country on such a global stage. “Elated as I am about my recognition and selection, I feel very humbled as well to share a platform that amplifies the small but impactful efforts we are pursuing in Sierra Leone,” she said.
Dr. Fatima Bio took the audience on a journey through Sierra Leone’s recent political transformation, highlighting her husband’s bold policies since assuming power in 2018. “The visionary leadership His Excellency brought to Sierra Leone emboldened him to make promises that have defined his presidency,” she remarked. She referenced the introduction of Free Quality Education for all children, with a special focus on girls pursuing courses in the STEM fields. “We quickly developed the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2019-2023, dubbed Education for Development, as our pathway to achieving Middle Income status by 2030,” she added, aligning the nation’s goals with both the African Union Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
However, Dr. Fatima Bio acknowledged the challenges of enacting long-term visions within the constraints of limited resources and short political terms. “In Sierra Leone, every development issue is a priority, but the resources needed to respond are limited. And you all know, visions are for the long term,” she noted. Yet, this has not deterred her from pushing forward with initiatives aimed at dismantling systemic inequalities.
Addressing gender inequality, the First Lady did not mince words. “Compelling anecdotal evidence shows the worst forms of poverty, deprivation, and marginalisation on the continent of Africa are prevalent among women and girls,” she stated.
She called out harmful cultural practices that have perpetuated inequality, often masked under the guise of traditions and religion. Her “Hands Off Our Girls” campaign has been instrumental in tackling issues like sexual and gender-based violence, child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and menstrual hygiene.
“Fighting for and pursuing the empowerment of women and girls to attain equality is a tough, difficult, and daunting challenge,” she admitted. But Mrs. Bio is undeterred. “It is just, fair, and the right thing to do.” Her speech resonated with the audience as she linked women’s empowerment to broader economic and social stability. “Research shows that when women are empowered, economies grow, peace is more sustainable, and societies are more resilient.”
In her closing remarks, Dr. Fatima Bio offered practical steps for fostering visionary leadership. “We must invest in educating the next generation of leaders with a focus on equality, empathy, inclusivity, and accountability,” she advised, calling for leadership training programs, legislative action to enforce gender equality laws, and the dismantling of harmful stereotypes.
The impactful First Lady also underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration. “Visionary leadership requires collaboration across sectors—government, civil society, and the private sector. No one sector can solve these challenges alone.”
She rallied the audience with her final appeal: “We stand at a crossroads. Visionary leadership is not an option, but an imperative. It is the only way we will build a future where everyone can thrive.”
Her stirring words left an indelible mark on the summit attendees (who honored her with a standing ovation) as it must have done on listeners way beyond the hall. This speech, while proffering a genuine reflection on Sierra Leone’s progress, emphatically serves as a global call to action for a more equitable future for all.
