Child protection
Marking seven years of Hands Off Our Girls
- Location
- Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Published
Dr. Fatima Maada Bio welcomed fellow African First Ladies to Freetown to mark seven years of Hands Off Our Girls and launch a continental initiative on climate change and conflict.
An anniversary gathering in Freetown
The First Lady hosted a dinner at Chapter One in Freetown, joined by President Julius Maada Bio. The evening brought African First Ladies together to mark the seventh anniversary of Hands Off Our Girls and discuss how they could work together to protect the rights and wellbeing of women and girls.
Building resilience to climate change and conflict
The gathering also marked the launch of Building Resilience for Women and Girls in the Face of Climate Change and Conflict. The initiative aims to expand opportunities and support policies that protect women and girls affected by climate change, conflict and displacement.
Working together across Africa
The First Ladies shared experiences and discussed approaches to protection, empowerment and sustainable development. As president of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), Dr. Maada Bio drew attention to the pressures women and girls face when climate change or conflict displaces families. She identified protection, access to opportunity and policies that uphold their rights as priorities for cooperation through OAFLAD.
The campaign in context
Hands Off Our Girls began in December 2018. Through public advocacy and community outreach, the campaign has focused on child marriage and violence against girls. The Freetown gathering marked that work and brought a new set of challenges into the discussion.
