๐๐ย ๐๐ป๐๐ต๐ผ๐ป๐ย ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐
Sierra Leone's ๐ ๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญย ๐๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐ซ. ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐ย ๐๐๐๐๐ย ๐๐ข๐จ has achieved a remarkable milestone as the first incumbent First Lady to deliver a public lecture at Harvard University, one of the world's most esteemed academic institutions. Dr. Fatima's lecture, titled "Breaking Barriers, Building Future: Addressing Gender-based Violence in the African Context," captivated and inspired the audience, earning widespread acclaim for its compelling message and heartfelt delivery.
Since assuming the role of the country's First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio has been a vocal advocate against early child marriage and sexual violence targeting women and girls. Her impassioned appeals on the global stage have called for leaders worldwide to join the fight against the pervasive issues of rape, early marriage, and other forms of gender-based violence in Sierra Leone and across the continent.
Her "Hands Off Our Girls" campaign has garnered widespread support and endorsement across the continent, rallying African First Ladies and stakeholders to take a stand against harmful cultural practices such as early child marriage and rape. With the backing of her husband, His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, Sierra Leone's President, she has played a pivotal role in tightening legal and policy frameworks to hold sexual offenders and rapists accountable.
During her lecture at Harvard, Her Excellency shared her personal journey, recounting her escape from an arranged marriage at a young age. Her harrowing experience fueled her determination to enact change and challenge prevailing norms that perpetuate violence against women and girls which underscored her deep personal investment in combating gender-based violence and driving positive change in her native Sierra Leone.
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In 2018, upon assuming the role of First Lady, Dr. Fatima was deeply troubled by the prevalent sexual and gender-based violence plaguing Sierra Leone. Determined to effect change, she launched the ambitious "Hands Off Our Girls" campaign, rallying support from stakeholders and challenging harmful cultural norms.
Under Dr. Fatima Bioโs advocacy, the Sierra Leone government declared a state of emergency on rape, revised laws, and established specialized structures for investigating gender-based violence. Additionally, initiatives such as free quality education, distribution of sanitary pads, and healthcare improvements have contributed to significant reductions in infant and maternal mortality and increased school enrollment for girls.
Despite these achievements, Her Excellency remains steadfast in her commitment to eliminating remaining barriers and fostering global collaboration in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing women's contributions, involving men in activism, and promoting gender equality in all aspects of society.
As Sierra Leone commemorated the 5th Anniversary of the 'Hands Off Our Girls' campaign, Dr. Fatima's message resonates with hope and determination: "Our girls our pride, our boys our allies; We are winning. No excuse for abuse." Her unwavering advocacy for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls serves as an inspiration to all.
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