By Foday Moriba Conteh
In commemorating International Women’s Day 2023 in the country, Music for Girls Initiative Africa and partners with support from Orange Foundation Sierra Leone has on Saturday 11th March, 2023 celebrated Icon Women during their one-day International Women’s Day Conference on the theme: “Dear Girl, Dare to Dream”. The conference was held at the New Freetown City Hall on Wallace Johnson Street in Freetown.
Speaking to this medium, the Founder/Executive Director of Music for Girls Initiative Africa, Esther Michael, said that the organization is a registered non-governmental entity that is geared towards equipping and empowering girls and women, giving them a voice, hope and support, adding that the organization over the years strived to reduce gender-based violence to the barest minimum in the country
She revealed that in 2014 Sierra Leone experienced an Ebola Outbreak of which she said during that period the country recorded the highest rate of teenage pregnancy, adding that this and many other issues triggered her to establish Music for Girls Initiative Africa.
Esther Michael furthered that since inception the organization has inspired, supported and empowered girls through the Arts in order to fight against illiteracy, child marriage, rape, teenage pregnancy, mental abuse and gender inequality in the country.
She said organizing the International Women’s Day Conference with the theme: “Dear Girl, Dare to Dream” is a motivation to girls present in order for them to know how unique and wonderful they are as girls. She added that the conference was also part of their continuous support towards addressing issues faced by women and girls in the country.
Esther Michael encouraged girls to believe in themselves underscoring that they should Dare to Dream, adding that as girls no matter what, they can live their dreams and that they have all what it takes for them to become whoever they want to become in life.
The Director of Orange Sierra Leone Foundation, Jestina Betts, commended the move by Music for Girls Initiative Africa for the laudable initiative which she further described as very important towards motivating girls in order for them to believe in themselves and also address the underlying issues faced by women and girls in the country.
She emphasized that she will continue to encourage girls present during the International Women’s Day Conference that they should dare to dream no matter the challenges they are faced with as girls.
Girls present at the ceremony applauded Music for Girls Africa Initiative for staging the International Women’s Day Conference which according to them has positively impacted them as girls.
The event was climaxed with performances demonstrated by girls from different schools.
