DR. FATIMA MAADA BIO HONORED FOR EXCELLENCE AND HARD WORK ACROSS THE GLOBE

By PEL Koroma, Embassy of Sierra Leone, Washington, DC.

The First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, who also serves as the President for OAFLAD has on Friday, 4^th July 2025 received the City of New Carolton Proclamation in Recognition of her iconic service to humanity, especially echoing her voice for the rest of the women in the world. Mayor Phelecia Nembhard noted that Dr. Fatima Maada Bio has done a remarkable work in combating gender-based violence. “The Hands Off Our Girls program is a social development, and your exceptional leadership, promoting Pan African progress, is inspiring girls around the globe”, Mayor Nembhard said.

At the same event of Appreciation that was orchestrated by the JMBNA Group of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party - SLPP, Culumbia University Professor, Judy Kuriansky referred to the occasion as a celebration of the most amazing and powerful woman in Sierra Leone. “Dr. Fatima Maada Bio is an activist, a defender of human right, a transformer, and a politician that stands for sanity, with vision. and a virtuous determined woman”, Professor Kuriansky said. Again, Prof. Kuriansky reflected on the UN Resolutions -SDGs that Dr. Fatima Bio has taken strategic actions about gender equality, access to justice, and zero tolerance for abuse of children. “The Hands Off Our Girls program has succeeded in ensuring that there is a ban on child marriage in Sierra Leone. The initiative by the First Lady to give out free sanitary pads to girls, and shoes for the boys to go to school across the country should be celebrated”, Prof. Kuriansky intimated, citing the health service Dr. Bio is pioneering in the country. She concluded that Dr. Fatima Maada Bio’s supportive love for her husband is unparallel, and that Dr. Fatima Maada Bio is a mother that is dedicated to millions of girls and ladies.  On behalf of the JMBNA Group, His Excellency, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Amara Sowa presented an Award to Dr. Fatima Bio, dubbed ‘Night of Appreciation’ in recognition of her remarkable work in Sierra Leone, and across the globe.

In her remarks, Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio recognizes the ruling SLPP party as a voice of the mothers, the keeper of children’s dreams, and the future of Sierra Leone. “SLPP always stands for justice, education, and peace. Now is the time for us to rise as one people, with a focus and vision on the future of the nation. SLPP will continue to fight for the common man, SLPP will continue to ensure our dignity is restored as a people, at the same time - SLPP will ensure no region is more important than the other”, Dr Fatima Bio said. Her Excellency appealed to the women to step up - “we are the champions in the markets, and it is time to protect our rights and body, emphasizing that the youth should own a voice, and courage to live with wisdom and fight for one purpose”.

First Lady of Sierra Leone advanced that SLPP is never a party of war, but peace. “In SLPP, we are resilient. Let us continue to build our schools, roads, hospitals,” Dr. Fatima Bio said, asserting that SLPP should defend their progress. Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Bio expressed sincere appreciation to the JMB Group in the ruling SLPP. “In the last elections of 2023, the JMB Group donated over US$ 2 million to the leadership of the SLPP, we are very grateful to the JMB Group for their love and trust in the SLPP”, Her Excellency, Dr. Fatima Bio concluded.