By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), in collaboration with the Young Women in Democracy Forum (YWDF) and with support from the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), successfully concluded its National Young Women’s Conference on Wednesday, 5th November 2025, at the Vinilla Complex, Aberdeen in Freetown. The two-day event, held under the theme: “From the Margins to the Stage: Reimagining Young Women’s Political Leadership in Sierra Leone,” brought together young women leaders, activists, policymakers and Civil Society representatives from across the country and the African continent, including Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.

In her opening address, Marcella Samba-Sesay, Executive Director of CGG, called on young women to rise above marginalization, assert their voices and take leadership roles across society. Emphasizing the “power of voice” as a critical tool, she urged participants to discover their unique strengths, develop confidence and challenge societal stereotypes that limit women’s potential. She highlighted that empowerment goes beyond appearance, stressing the importance of education, intellectual development and self-confidence. “We want women who, when they walk into a room are not only beautiful but also brilliant and bold. Empowerment without knowledge is meaningless,” she said.

Marcella Samba-Sesay further encouraged young women to tell their own stories, emphasizing that failing to do so allow others to define their narratives. She commended CGG and YWDF for creating a transformative space for dialogue, mentorship and reflection, and welcomed participants from across Sierra Leone and beyond to use the conference as an opportunity to network, learn and commit to advancing women’s leadership.

Badriatu Turay, National Coordinator of the YWDF, reflected on her organization’s mission to empower young women to actively participate in governance, policy-making and advocacy since its establishment in 2022. She highlighted the network’s role in mentorship and leadership development, emphasizing that young women who once doubted their voices are now challenging stereotypes, influencing decisions and driving societal change. “When young women are empowered and given space to lead, the nation grows stronger and more inclusive,” she stated.

Isata Sowa, Gender, Youth and Disability Focal Person at the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) acknowledged Sierra Leone’s progress in strengthening democratic institutions while noting that young women remain underrepresented in political decision-making spaces. She emphasized that structural, social and cultural barriers, rather than a lack of ability or ambition, often limit young women’s participation. She highlighted the importance of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act 2022 in addressing those challenges and emphasized the PPRC’s commitment to promoting fair play, inclusivity and accountability within political parties. Isata Sowa called on participants to view young women as partners and leaders, rather than mere beneficiaries, in shaping Sierra Leone’s democratic future.

Mariama Jusu-Koiyia, Program Specialist at UN Women, noted the unique challenges young women face in leadership, particularly in politics, where social and cultural barriers often impede participation. She stressed that young women are neither too young nor too fragile to lead, urging them to break barriers and assume leadership roles boldly. She highlighted the value of intergenerational dialogue, encouraging young women to learn from experienced leaders while building their own capacities. Mariama Jusu-Koiyia pointed to UN Women’s efforts in providing training, mentorship and strategic support to over 570 female candidates in past elections, which has contributed to a surge in young women holding leadership positions at local and national levels. She encouraged participants to embrace opportunities to lead across all sectors, not just politics.

In her keynote address, delivered on behalf of the Minister of Gender & Children’s Affairs, Hannah A. Lahai, Deputy Director of the Ministry, reinforced the conference theme, describing it as a rallying cry for young women whose voices have long been sidelined in politics and public life. She acknowledged that despite progress under President Julius Maada Bio, including the enactment of the GEWE Act, systemic barriers such as cultural norms, political gatekeeping and lack of confidence continue to restrict women’s participation.

Hannah A.Lahai emphasized that young women are not merely the leaders of tomorrow but leaders of today, whose resilience and lived experiences are invaluable assets. She outlined a three-pronged approach to empowerment: broadening political participation beyond parliamentary ambitions to include community leadership and civic engagement, creating a pipeline of leadership through mentorship, funding, skills training and fostering a supportive ecosystem of allies, families and communities.

She encouraged participants to build alliances, support one another and view challenges as proof of their collective strength.

The conference provided a platform for dialogue, mentorship and advocacy aimed at strengthening young women’s political and social engagement. It brought together leaders from Civil Society, Government institutions and development partners to discuss strategies for enhancing women’s participation in governance and political leadership. Participants engaged in sessions that emphasized the importance of self-discovery, confidence-building and intellectual development as key drivers for leadership.

Throughout the two-day event, panel discussions and speakers consistently emphasized that structural and cultural barriers should not deter young women from assuming leadership roles. Participants were encouraged to actively engage in political and civic spaces, claim their narratives, leverage mentorship and intergenerational dialogue to strengthen their capacity to lead. The conference also highlighted the role of young women in shaping Sierra Leone’s democratic institutions and promoting inclusivity, equality and accountability across political and social spheres.