08/03/2025
Keynote Address on the Theme: “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, and Empowerment”.
By Mayor of Bo City Council- KOBBA MUSA
March 8, 2025
International Women’s Day
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is both an honor and a privilege to stand before you today and speak on a theme that holds immense significance: “For All Women and Girls Rights, Equality, and Empowerment.”
This is not just a theme for discussion; it is a call to action, a call to transform our societies into spaces where women and girls are not only included but truly empowered.
The Reality We Face!
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Women and girls make up half of the world’s population, yet for centuries, they have been denied fundamental rights, opportunities, and freedoms. Discrimination, gender-based violence, limited access to education and healthcare, and economic inequalities continue to hold them back. In many parts of the world, girls are still forced into child marriages, deprived of education. Women continue to face unequal pay, under-representation in leadership, and systemic barriers to success.
But despite these challenges, history has shown us the incredible power of women. From Constance Commings John, a pioneer for women’s rights and girls’ education in Africa, to our First Lady today, Madam Fatima Jabbi Bio who and other national women are breaking barriers in and out of Sierra Leone. Today, women and girls have always been at the forefront for social change.
The Power of Rights, Equality, and Empowerment!
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To create a just and inclusive world, we must focus on three key pillars:
1. Rights for All Women and Girls
Women’s rights are human rights. Every girl deserves the right to education, healthcare, and freedom from violence. Every woman deserves equal access to economic and leadership opportunities. We must work together to strengthen laws and policies that protect and promote these rights.
2. Equality in Every Sphere
True equality means more than just laws on paper; it means changing mindsets, challenging stereotypes, and ensuring women and girls have a seat at every decision-making table. It means equal pay for equal work, equal access to resources, and equal opportunities to thrive.
3. Empowerment Through Action
Empowering women and girls mean providing them with the tools to succeed. Education, mentorship, entrepreneurship, financial independence, and leadership training are critical to ensuring that women do not just survive but thrive. When women are empowered, families, communities, and entire nations benefit.
As we celebrate today, let us reaffirm our commitment to a future where no girl is denied an education, no woman is silenced, and no female leader is overlooked. A future where women and girls are not just included but are leading in every sector: politics, business, science, and community development.
The fight for gender equality is not just for women, it is for humanity. Because when women rise, the world rises with them.
Let us work together to create a world where the rights, equality, and empowerment of all women and girls are not just ideals but realities.
Thank you.
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BCC Media