By: Josephine Sesay
In a renewed push to foster inclusive youth development, on Thursday12 June 2025 the Women’s Forum Sierra Leone has engaged the Ministry of Youth Affairs in strategic dialogue aimed at revitalizing collaboration on girl-centered empowerment initiatives.
Led by the dynamic President of the forum, madam Sally Ndimawa Adams, the delegation visited Hon. Ibrahim Sannoh, minister of youth affairs, at his office in Freetown, the courtesy call focused on reestablishing ties and aligning priorities to elevate the voices and leadership potential of young women across the country.
Madam Adams spotlighted the she leads project as a cornerstone of the forum’s advocacy designed to nurture confidence, leadership, and civic engagement among girls, the initiative has reached hundreds of beneficiaries nationwide. She stressed that partnering with the ministry would amplify its impact, especially in hard-to-reach communities.
In the past, we enjoyed a fruitful internship exchange with the ministry a vital opportunity that exposed young women to public service, we would love to see that restored, she appealed, minister Sannoh warmly welcomed the Forum’s re-engagement, applauding their grassroots leadership and the tangible outcomes of their programs, he emphasized the ministry’s readiness to embrace bold partnerships with organizations that share its vision for youth empowerment, the women’s forum is doing tremendous work, said minister Sannoh, we are open to collaboration particularly through platforms like the youth parliament and the MRU youth Conekt parliament, where young women can lead from the front.
He assured the delegation that internship placements through the National youth service would soon resume, reopening pathways for professional development and mentorship, particularly for young women eager to serve in governance and administration, in a significant policy announcement, minister Sannoh declared that 70% of all ministry-led initiatives will be women-led, with 5% earmarked for persons with disabilities, this commitment, he noted, reflects the Ministry’s dedication to gender equity and inclusive leadership.
This is more than a statistic it’s a clear statement of intent, we believe women and girls must not just be included in national development they must be at the forefront, he said, the meeting concluded on a hopeful note, with both parties agreeing to chart a roadmap for collaboration, a formal proposal from the Women’s Forum, outlining key areas of partnership, is expected to be submitted in the coming weeks, this renewed alliance signals a progressive shift in Sierra Leone’s youth development landscape one where young women are empowered not only to participate, but to lead, shape, and transform the future of their nation.
