Colleagues in the media, partners in development, and especially the remarkable women of Sierra Leone,
Today, as the world commemorates International Women’s Day, we join millions across the globe in celebrating the achievements, resilience, and invaluable contributions of women and girls in every sphere of society. It is a day of celebration, but also a moment for reflection and renewed commitment to advancing equality, justice, and opportunity for all women and girls.
This year’s global theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” is both timely and powerful. It reminds us that while progress has been made, significant barriers still limit women’s full participation in leadership, economic life, access to justice, and decision-making processes.
For us in Sierra Leone, this conversation is deeply personal. Women are the backbone of our communities, leading families, driving economic activities, contributing to education and healthcare, and strengthening the foundations of peace and democracy. Yet many still face structural inequalities and barriers that prevent them from fully realising their potential.
Within the media sector, these challenges are also real. Women journalists often work under demanding conditions, balancing professional responsibilities with societal expectations, while sometimes confronting harassment, discrimination, or limited opportunities for leadership. Their resilience and dedication deserve recognition andconcrete support.
At SLAJ, we have taken deliberate steps to address these challenges and promote gender equality within the profession. During the Association’s previous leadership, with the valued support of the Embassy of Ireland in Sierra Leone and the SLAJ Gender Advisory Panel, the media sector witnessed the launch of the first-ever Gender Equality Policy for the media in Sierra Leone; an important milestone aimed at addressing structural gender imbalances affecting women journalists.
Building on that foundation, under my leadership, SLAJ continues to advance initiatives that empower women in the media. With support from the European Union through BBC Media Action, the Association has trained about 75 women journalists in Public Financial Management reporting through the Budget Advocacy Network. Additionally, more than 60 women journalists are currently benefiting from digital media literacy training at LimkokwingUniversity, equipping them with the tools to navigate and thrive in an increasingly digital media environment.
Beyond training and capacity building, SLAJ has also been intentional in encouraging the election and appointment of more women journalists into leadership positions within the Association. We continue to work closely with our affiliate body, Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL), whose advocacy and leadership remain vital in pushing forward the women’s agenda within the media sector.
These efforts reflect a simple but powerful belief: a stronger media sector requires the full participation and leadership of women.
As journalists, we also have a broader responsibility to society. The media plays a critical role in shaping public narratives, amplifying voices, and holding institutions accountable. We must therefore ensure that our reporting challenges harmful stereotypes, highlights issues affecting women and girls, and tells the stories of women whose contributions often go unseen, especially those in rural and marginalisedcommunities.
On this International Women’s Day, SLAJ pays tribute to the many women journalists across Sierra Leone who continue to report with courage, professionalism, and integrity. Whether in the newsroom, the field, or behind the scenes, your work strengthens our democracy and enriches the media landscape.
Let this day remind us that empowering women is a matter of fairness and it is essential for national development. Societies thrive when women have equal opportunities to learn, lead, innovate, and participate fully in shaping their future.
As we celebrate today, let us recommit ourselves to turning words into action, ensuring that every woman and girl in Sierra Leone can enjoy her rights, access justice, and realise her full potential.
Happy International Women’s Day.
Thank you.