A Tribute to the Women Who Shape Our Nation – Dr Ibrahim Bangura
“A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its women.” This African wisdom is not just a proverb; it is a truth I have seen unfold in my own life, in my home, and across our great land.
As a father, my daughter Petra Binta Bangura is the light in my eyes, a constant reminder of the boundless potential that every girl carries. When I look at her, I see not just her future but the future of every daughter of this nation. I see the need for a Sierra Leone where no girl is denied an education, where no woman dies giving life, where no mother fears for her safety, and where no sister is silenced by violence.
Across our fields, in our markets, on the bustling streets of our towns and the quiet paths of our villages, women bear the weight of our homes, our families, our communities, and our country. I have seen women till the soil at dawn, a baby tied to their backs, carrying both the burden of today and the hope of tomorrow. I have seen them stand in the marketplace, sun on their brows, hands steady, minds sharp, providing for their families with resilience that humbles even the strongest of men. And I have seen them in times of peace and in times of strife, standing firm, protecting their children, holding their communities together, embodying the strength that keeps this nation alive.
Yet, too often, our women suffer in silence. They face the pain of gender-based violence, the injustice of unequal opportunities, and the heartbreak of dreams deferred. This must change. This will change.
My commitment to the women of Sierra Leone is not mere words—it is a pledge, a duty, a cause I will champion with every breath I take. My policies and programmes will place women at the heart of national development. I will work to ensure:
Access to quality healthcare so that no mother is lost to childbirth, no girl is denied medical care, and every woman can live with dignity and well-being.
Education that empowers, not just for boys, but for every girl, because no nation can rise if half of its population is left behind.
Safety and protection so that our women and girls can walk freely, without fear, in their homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.
A zero-tolerance stance against political and gender-based violence, ensuring that women have an equal voice and rightful place in governance, decision-making, and leadership.
“A mother’s back may be bent, but it carries the future.” To the women of Sierra Leone, I see you. I honor you. I will fight for you. Because when women rise, nations rise. And together, we will build a Sierra Leone where every daughter, every mother, and every sister can thrive.