By Millicent Senava Mannah
Radiance Sierra Leone, in collaboration with EBK University and with support from the Resident Minister of the North-West, Ambassador Umaru Bun Wurie, has successfully hosted the 2024 Girls Empowerment Conference in Port Loko District. The transformative three-day event, which ran from December 5th to 7th, drew over 150 students, including girls and boys, from Port Loko, Kenema and the Western Area Rural Districts.
Themed “The Role of Education in Ending Gender-Based Violence, Teenage Pregnancy and Early Marriage,” the conference sought to address the critical challenges faced by young girls in their communities. According to the Conference Coordinator, Miatta Taimeh, education is a crucial tool for tackling those societal issues. “Education is a powerful tool to end early marriage, teenage pregnancy, rape and other forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against women and girls,” she stated. Miatta Taimeh emphasized that through education, girls are empowered to understand their rights, protect themselves and take action when those rights are violated.
Participants engaged in a variety of interactive activities, including debate and quiz competitions centered around the conference’s theme. Miatta Taimeh noted that the debates demonstrated a growing understanding among girls about the importance of education in combating GBV. “The points raised during the debate competition highlighted the importance of education as a decisive tool in promoting and protecting girls’ rights,” she added.
Prominent schools that took part in the debate competition included Harvesters International Academy from Waterloo, Community Initiative Academy from Kenema and the Practicing School from Port Loko. Harvesters International Academy and Community Initiative Academy were crowned winners of the debate competition, while the quiz competition was won by the Practicing School from Port Loko.
In his keynote address, Ambassador Umaru Bun Wurie commended Radiance SL for its unwavering commitment to the empowerment of young girls. He urged the girls to remain focused on their education, complete their studies and become agents of change in their communities. “Education is a powerful tool for empowerment,” Ambassador Umaru Bun Wurie stated. “My family and I are living proof that education can lead to a bright future. I urge you all to see education as the vehicle that will take you to success.”
The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) was also represented at the event by Gloria Akosua Sasu, who lauded Radiance SL for aligning its initiatives with the Ministry’s radical inclusion policy. The policy is aimed at promoting education for all, with a particular focus on girls’ education. Gloria Akosua Sasu encouraged the girls to stay dedicated to their studies and to avoid negative influences that could derail their academic pursuits.
Participants expressed their gratitude to Radiance SL for providing such an impactful platform. They acknowledged the role the conference played in raising awareness about GBV and other harmful practices affecting women and girls. “This conference has opened our eyes to the power of education,” said one participant. “We are now more determined to complete our education and fight against issues like early marriage and teenage pregnancy.”
The conference’s closing event featured a symbolic football match between two teams of girls. One team, representing Kenema and Waterloo, played under the banner “No Teenage Pregnancy,” while the host team from Port Loko played under “No Early Marriage.” The spirited match served as a powerful reminder of the messages promoted during the conference, with the players exemplifying unity, teamwork and determination.
To cap off the event, all participants received certificates of participation, while special certificates were presented to the winners of the debate and quiz competitions.
The 2024 Girls Empowerment Conference stands as a monumental step in raising awareness and equipping young girls with the tools to confront the pressing issues of gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy and early marriage in their communities. The conference’s success underscores Radiance SL’s continued commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders through education and advocacy.
