Freetown, 10th March, 2026 – On International Women’s Day 2026, President Julius Maada Bio delivered a powerful message, declaring that “violence against women is not tradition, it is an injustice, a crime, and it must end now.”
Speaking under the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” the President urged Sierra Leoneans and the wider ECOWAS region to move beyond declarations and ensure that rights are defended, justice is accessible, and action is sustained.
“Rights must not only be declared but defended, justice must not only exist but be accessible, and action must not only be promised but sustained,” he said.
President Bio reflected on the central role women play in Sierra Leone’s daily life, from farmers and traders to teachers and judges and acknowledged the sacrifices of women during the civil war. He noted that their resilience laid the foundation for the stability the country enjoys today.
Highlighting reforms, he pointed to the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act which guarantees a minimum of 30 percent representation for women in elective and appointive positions. He described the law as a milestone that moved inclusion “from aspiration to obligation” and anchored equality firmly in Sierra Leone’s democratic framework.
The President also underscored the fight against sexual and gender‑based violence, child marriage, and discriminatory practices that hinder girls’ education. He reaffirmed that education remains central to long‑term equality, citing the Free Quality Education Programme, which has kept more girls in school and expanded opportunities for future leadership.
As Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Bio extended solidarity to women across West Africa, warning that regional peace and democracy cannot be credible without justice for women.
“There can be no lasting peace, no credible democracy, and no sustainable economic integration in West Africa without justice for women,” he declared.
The President concluded with a call to men and boys to stand as partners in the struggle for equality, stressing that protecting women’s rights strengthens families, stabilises communities, and secures the collective future.
