By Sallieu S. Kanu
State House, Freetown, Saturday, February 22, 2025 – In recognition of his exceptional contributions to gender equality and education, Sierra Leone’s President Dr Julius Maada Bio received two distinguished continental awards: the African HeForShe Champion of the Year—2024 and the Presidential African Intelligence Award—2024. These awards were presented by Her Excellency Dr Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi and founder of the Joyce Banda Foundation, alongside Princess Dr Ocansey, founder of the Nakotech Centre for Excellence.
The HeForShe Movement, initiated by United Nations Women in 2014, is a global campaign engaging men and boys as advocates for gender equality. The African HeForShe Champion Award highlights African leaders committed to advancing women’s rights, increasing female participation in governance, and fostering gender equity across all sectors.
Under President Bio’s leadership, Sierra Leone has made significant strides in reducing gender disparities. The landmark Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act has increased female representation in political and economic spheres. Furthermore, initiatives focused on education, healthcare, and financial inclusion for women underscore the Government’s commitment to creating a more equitable society.
President Bio, a Global Champion for Transforming Education, has also championed education reforms and gender equality since taking office in 2018. His administration’s efforts have resulted in over one million additional school enrollments. The updated education curricula at all levels now emphasize critical thinking, comprehension, computational thinking, creativity, and civic education.
One of the Government’s notable achievements under President Bio is the provision of tuition-free education for girls studying STEM subjects, from primary through university. Additionally, the Radical Inclusion Policy ensures that pregnant girls can return to school without discrimination.
In his acceptance speech, President Bio reiterated his commitment to gender equality, stating, “As I receive this award, I want to reaffirm my unwavering support for the HeForShe movement and Human Capital Development. I will continue to advocate for policies that uplift and empower women because when women succeed, nations thrive.”
The award ceremony also featured discussions on the role of African leaders in dismantling barriers to gender equality and promoting inclusive governance. Dr Joyce Banda and Princess Dr Ocansey discussed efforts to promote legal migration and the situation of African migrants in the Middle East. The Nakotech Centre’s US$100 Million Transfer2Transform initiative, which helps African students secure scholarships to study STEM courses in the United States, was also highlighted.
The event was attended by high-level dignitaries, including the Vice President, First Lady, Speaker of Parliament, Chief Justice, Government Ministers, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, and other Government Officials.