By Josephine Sesay
In a historic celebration of girl empowerment and leadership, the Advocacy Network for Girls Sierra Leone Parliament (ANGSLP), in collaboration with the Children’s Forum Network under the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, officially opened the State Opening of the Girls Parliament at the Well of Parliament, Tower Hill, Freetown, on 25 April 2025.
Themed Let the Voice of a Girl Child Be Heard from a Distant Hill, the event was graced by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Retired AIG Morie Lengor Esq., who served as the Special Guest of Honour.
The Girl’s Parliament initiative is a landmark movement aimed at amplifying the voices of young girls within Sierra Leone’s legislative space, advocating for their rights, and promoting their active participation in leadership and decision-making.
Chairing the ceremony, National President of the Children’s Forum Network, Miss Phillipa Crido-Dole, emphasized the importance of creating platforms that uphold the dignity, leadership, and rights of girls. She acknowledged the tireless efforts of stakeholders who have supported the initiative, noting that the Girls Parliament represents a critical step towards granting girls opportunities to lead, advocate, and thrive.
Delivering his keynote address, Minister Morie Lengor expressed his delight at the historic occasion, describing it as a testament to the promising future of girls in governance and leadership. He commended ANGSLP for its commitment and extended his gratitude to His Excellency President Brig. (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio and First Lady Fatima Maada Bio for their continuous support of girls’ empowerment initiatives.
Minister Lengor also lauded Parliament for enacting progressive laws such as the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act (GEWE), which have strengthened protections for women and girls, reflecting on national achievements, he highlighted the success of the Hands off our Girls campaign and the establishment of a Special Court for children’s matters, both of which have contributed significantly to the reduction of rape and sexual abuse cases across the country.
Reaffirming his ministry’s commitment, Minister Lengor pledged that the Ministry of Internal Affairs, particularly the Sierra Leone Police, would continue to prioritize the protection and safety of girls, ensuring they are empowered to realize their full potential.
Your safety starts with you, he advised the girls, urging them to stay focused, avoid risky behaviors, and make wise decisions to safeguard themselves against crime.
For greater inclusivity and broader understanding during Girls Parliament sessions, he proposed that some discussions be conducted in Krio, the widely spoken lingua franca, so that all participants can fully engage with the deliberations.
Also addressing the event, Paramount Chief PC Bai Koblo Queen of Marampa Chiefdom and Mr. Daniel Kottor, Executive Director of Rainbow Initiative, encouraged the girls to pursue education, emphasizing its crucial role in achieving sustainable development and future leadership goals.
