The Advocacy for Women and Youth Empowerment (AWYE) has recognised 30 outstanding women for their remarkable contributions to leadership, professional excellence and community development during the 8th edition of its annual 30 Most Influential Women Awards.
The colourful ceremony, held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Abza Plaza (Carew Hall) in Waterloo, brought together prominent personalities, community leaders and development advocates under the theme, “Celebrating 30 Outstanding Rural Women.”
The awardees were recognised for their achievements in education, healthcare, politics, entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment and community development across the Western Area Rural District.
Delivering the welcome address, Deputy Opposition Whip in Parliament, Hon. Kemokoh Conteh, congratulated the recipients, describing them as women of influence whose contributions deserve recognition. He commended AWYE for promoting female leadership and encouraged the awardees to support one another in addressing Waterloo’s growing development challenges.
AWYE Executive Director, Ibrahim Marvel Kamara, explained that the awards, established in 2018, have become an important platform for celebrating women’s achievements. He disclosed that the 2026 selection followed a three-month process involving 157 nominations, internal screening, the shortlisting of 50 candidates and public voting to determine the final 30 recipients.
Ibrahim Marvel Kamara also highlighted the Network of Rural Women in Influence, established in 2025 to strengthen collaboration among previous awardees. He announced the launch of AWYE’s 2026 Award Magazine, featuring inspiring profiles of the honourees, which will be distributed to libraries to motivate young girls.
He further appealed for support towards securing and furnishing an operational office, estimated to cost US$20,000.
Officially launching the magazine, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Susue Women’s Finance, Naasu Genevieve Fofanah, encouraged women to embrace entrepreneurship and financial independence. Recalling her journey since returning from the United Kingdom in 2009, she emphasized resilience, determination and supporting women-owned businesses.
Vice President of the Network of Rural Women in Influence, Imam Kamara, congratulated the recipients and urged them to remain ambitious. “Keep dreaming. Women, we have to set our goals and achieve them,” she stated.
Gender Expert and Fourah Bay College lecturer, Dr. Fatou Taqi, stressed the importance of women’s independence, continuous learning and mutual support, encouraging women to seek assistance without fear while protecting their dignity and rights.
President of the 50/50 Group of Sierra Leone, Prof. M’Cormack Hale, applauded AWYE’s commitment to recognizing accomplished women and called for stronger male support towards gender equality and women’s participation in political leadership.
Delivering the keynote address, Vice Chancellor and Principal of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Prof. Miriam Conteh-Morgan, described women as powerful agents of transformation whose contributions continue to influence national development.
Reflecting on discrimination against women in leadership, Prof. Miriam Conteh-Morgan emphasized that competence, determination and performance should determine leadership opportunities rather than gender.
She encouraged women to challenge traditional stereotypes, pursue ambitious goals and use their achievements to uplift others, stressing that geographical backgrounds should never limit individual aspirations.
“Your position is an opportunity to inspire and empower other women,” she declared.
The ceremony reaffirmed AWYE’s commitment to celebrating women’s achievements, strengthening mentorship and inspiring future generations of female leaders across the Western Area Rural District.
