By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The 50/50 Group, Sierra Leone’s leading non-partisan organisation committed to strengthening women’s participation in politics, governance and public life, has announced the upcoming 13th Annual Rajiv Bendre Women in Public Life Lecture; one of the country’s most respected platforms for honouring outstanding women leaders. The landmark event is scheduled for Friday, 5 December 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at the Freetown City Council Auditorium.
This year’s edition will feature eminent Sierra Leonean educationist and global development expert, Dr. Staneala Beckley, as the Guest Lecturer. Themed: “One World, Many Lessons,” the lecture is expected to deliver profound reflections on leadership, resilience, service and the meaningful intersections of global and local experiences.
Dr. Staneala Beckley’s selection comes as a testament to her remarkable contributions to education, public administration and international development. As former Chair of the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), she led one of the most significant reforms in Sierra Leone’s education sector overseeing the historic transfer of teacher management from the Ministry of Education to the newly created Commission. This restructuring strengthened teacher professionalism, institutional accountability and the overall governance of the sector.
Her international career spans leadership positions with UNICEF across Nigeria, Pakistan, the Middle East and North Africa. Dr. Staneala Beckley worked in diverse cultural contexts, including conflict-affected and politically sensitive regions, where she championed education as a tool for stability, dignity and social cohesion. Her global journey, from encounters with Yasser Arafat’s Palestine to engagements in remote crisis settings, shaped her philosophy of learning, empathy and shared humanity.
Before joining UNICEF, she served as Deputy Director of the Research and Development Services Bureau at the University of Sierra Leone, where she played a pivotal role in advancing education research, policy development and academic innovation.
Her outstanding service has earned widespread recognition, including Sierra Leone’s Commander of the Order of the Rokel (2019) and France’s distinguished Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques, awarded for exceptional contributions to global education.
The 2025 lecture promises to be especially transformative. Dr. Staneala Beckley will share lessons drawn from decades of navigating cultures, crises and communities; lessons that speak to embracing diversity, confronting adversity and elevating human dignity.
The event is expected to attract participants from the diplomatic community, civil society, academia, international development organisations, private-sector leadership and young people from secondary schools and universities.
For over twelve years, the 50/50 Group has hosted the Rajiv Bendre Women in Public Life Lecture as part of its broader mission to highlight women’s leadership and promote gender-balanced governance. The annual lecture provides a national stage for reflection, dialogue and inspiration; celebrating women whose lives and work demonstrate excellence, courage and transformative public service.
Ahead of the event, the 50/50 Group shared an abstract of Dr. Staneala Beckley’s lecture, revealing a powerful message rooted in faith, resilience, compassion and purpose. Described as “a heartfelt reflection on a life shaped by movement, meaning and mission,” her narrative draws from experiences as a Sierra Leonean woman, an African, a Christian and an international civil servant.
Dr. Staneala Beckley recounts overcoming stereotypes while working in countries where her identity sharply contrasted with societal expectations; most notably during her six-year leadership role in Pakistan. Rather than allow labels to define her, she leaned into professionalism, empathy and a firm belief in shared humanity. She also reflects on the emotional weight of navigating politically sensitive humanitarian contexts, especially in UNICEF’s work with children.
Her return to Sierra Leone after two decades abroad brought another profound lesson: the value of transcending partisan divisions. Having served under both major political administrations, she emphasizes that national progress depends on unity, civic engagement and a willingness to place country above politics.
Ultimately, her lecture is an ode to gratitude and grace, honouring two great influences in her life; her father’s wisdom and God’s guiding presence.
The 50/50 Group is encouraging Sierra Leoneans, especially youth and aspiring leaders, to attend what promises to be an enriching and thought-provoking national event.
Event Details:
Date: 5 December 2025
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Venue: Freetown City Council Auditorium
The Group reaffirmed that the Rajiv Bendre Lecture remains a cornerstone of national dialogue on gender inclusion, leadership and the celebration of extraordinary Sierra Leonean women who continue to shape the country’s development.
