10th March, 2025.
On the sidelines of the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 69), Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Hon. Chernor Bah, highlighted President Julius Maada Bio’s robust strategy to protect adolescent girls’ rights.
Minister Bah was speaking at a panel organized by UNICEF, the Government of Sierra Leone, Canada and Purposeful at the ECOSOC Chamber, UN Headquarters in New York.
Minister Bah emphasized government’s commitment to empowering girls through education, policy reform, and economic empowerment.
He said the government of Sierra Leone has provided the Free Quality School Education Program thus eliminating financial barriers for all girls, adding that a University Scholarships scheme Providing opportunities for girls in STEM fields has been overwhelmingly accepted by the people of Sierra Leone.
“Repealing the Ban on Pregnant Girls, ensuring their right to education, the Hands Off Our Girls Initiative, Combating Period Poverty and keeping girls in school,” Minister Bah said are some of the measures President Bio has taken in the interest of girls, adding that establishing a Sexual Offences Court, Providing Survivor-centered response mechanisms, are further steps at providing a conducive environment for them to realize their potentials and thrive.
Minister Bah also said the president has provided an Economic Empowerment Program for the country’s girls, through social safety nets and entrepreneurship programs.
He assured the gathering of President Bio’s continued efforts to work with other partners for the protection of women and girls in Sierra Leone.
