EBEMA

Today, on my way to Kenema, I made an unannounced stop at Masjid AL’MADINATU AL’MUNAWARATU along the Jui–Waterloo Highway to join my Muslim brothers and sisters in observing the blessed Juma Prayer.

As a Muslim woman, prayer remains my refuge, my strength, and my greatest source of peace. No matter the responsibilities or challenges of life, nothing is more important to me than serving Almighty Allah (SWT) and remaining connected to Him through faith, humility, and worship.

Standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow believers today was a powerful reminder that true success and fulfillment come from obedience to our Creator and sincerity in our faith.

May Almighty Allah (SWT) accept our Juma prayers, forgive our shortcomings, shower His endless mercy upon us, and continue to guide us on the straight path. May He bless our nation with peace, unity, barakah, good health, and prosperity. Ameen.

First Lady Fatima Maada Bio

FMB

I had the privilege of delivering a public lecture at the Institute of Public Administration and Management, IPAM University Freetown, on the theme “Women in Leadership: Breaking Barriers, Building the Future.”

As an advocate for the empowerment of women and girls, I place great value on engaging university students. You are the generation being prepared to take the helm of affairs in the coming years. It is therefore incumbent upon me to speak to you candidly about the realities of leadership, the barriers that often accompany advocacy, and how society receives women who choose to lead.

I also encourage you to pay attention to character and alignment. Your reputation is built now, while you are in university. Align yourself with people of integrity and clean records. The company you keep today can shape the path you walk tomorrow.

Dream without limits. Do not shrink yourselves to fit expectations. Be present in decision-making spaces and claim your place at the table. Thankfully, Sierra Leone now has the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act. Use it. Do not live in fear. Be confident, be resilient, and take up your rightful place.

When I launched the Hands Off Our Girls campaign, I faced strong resistance, particularly from those who believed girls could not be protected and valued equally. But the support of the nation made the campaign stronger than the opposition. That resistance is the barrier I set out to break.

Today, the simplest way an underage girl can assert her right to protection is to say, “I am Fatima Bio’s daughter.” That is the change we have achieved by breaking barriers together.

I am confident that my name will be remembered in every room where the protection and empowerment of women and girls in Sierra Leone and across Africa are discussed. My commitment remains unwavering: to ensure that every girl grows up safe, educated, and free to reach her full potential.

First Lady Fatima Maada Bio

FMB.

Today, I joined the Ministry of Social Welfare to commemorate the International Day of Families 2026 at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown.

The theme, “Families, Inequality, and Child Wellbeing,” aligns closely with the objectives of my Hands Off Our Girls campaign. Since its launch, I have come to appreciate even more deeply the central role families play as the first agents of socialization in a child’s upbringing.

Under the leadership of my husband, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, the government recognizes the importance of strong families and has made human capital development a priority. No nation can progress if its children are left behind and disempowered.

Women are pivotal to this progress. When women are empowered, families grow stronger. I commend the government for enacting the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, and I remain committed to my own initiatives to protect the rights and advance the empowerment of women and girls in Sierra Leone.

My vision is a Sierra Leone where opportunities are fairly distributed, and where women and girls can achieve their full potential. Together, we can create an environment where every girl feels protected, valued, and inspired.

May God bless our families.
May God bless the leadership of our nation.
May God bless Sierra Leone.

First Lady Fatima Maada Bio

FMB.

Thank you Waterloo💚

First Lady Fatima Maada Bio

On my way to Bassah Town in Waterloo this afternoon, I made an unannounced visit to the Unity Ataya Base in Calaba Town.

This base is well known for its strong support for the SLPP and has played a significant role in mobilizing votes for the party. As the visit was unplanned, I was unable to stay long.

However, by the grace of God, I will return for a dedicated engagement with the Unity Ataya Base on the 25th of this month.

The visit will provide an opportunity for me to sit with, listen to, and interact directly with every SLPP member in the area.

Long live our party.

First Lady Fatima Maada Bio

FMB.