In a momentous occasion on the sidelines of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, was appointed as a UNAIDS Champion for the Empowerment and Engagement of Adolescent Girls and Young Women.
The appointment certificate was presented to her on Tuesday 19th September, 2023 in the presence of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio.

The esteemed position bestowed on Dr. Fatima Maada Bio by the United Nations is a testament to her dedication and relentless efforts in advancing women’s empowerment and child protection.

The Executive Director of UNAIDS, who also serves as the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, lauded the First Lady for her remarkable contributions, which include advocacy for legal reforms and the construction of the impressive 34 Military Hospital complex, among other noteworthy initiatives.

As a UNAIDS Champion for the Empowerment and Engagement of Adolescent Girls and Young Women, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio will assume a crucial role in driving positive change and championing the rights, wellbeing and opportunities for the most vulnerable and marginalized members of society. Her appointment signifies global recognition of her tireless work in creating a better future for Sierra Leone’s young girls and women.

The primary focus of Dr. Fatima Maada Bio’s new role will be to advocate for the empowerment and engagement of adolescent girls and young women, particularly in the context of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and support. She will work in collaboration with UNAIDS and its partners to raise awareness, mobilize resources, and promote policies and programmes aimed at improving the lives of this vulnerable demographic.

Upon accepting the appointment, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the United Nations and reaffirmed her commitment to the task at hand. She emphasized the need for collective action and urged all stakeholders, including government bodies, civil society organizations, and the private sector, to join forces in creating sustainable solutions that foster the empowerment and engagement of adolescent girls and young women.

The First Lady’s appointment comes at a crucial time when the global community is intensifying efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) , particularly Goal 5: Gender Equality. By taking on this role, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio joins a distinguished group of advocates and leaders who are working tirelessly to address the unique challenges faced by adolescent girls and young women.
Strategic Communications, Office of the First Lady
Republic of Sierra Leone