Girls organise leadership conference for over 200 peers

The girls and young women participating in Plan International’s She Leads project organised and led their own leadership conference to call for increased decision making opportunities and influence.

In December 2022, the participants of Plan International’s She Leads project organised and led their own leadership conference, themed: “Girls and young women take active leadership”. They brought together over 200 girls aged 15 to 30, from different communities and networks from across Sierra Leone.

The leadership conference focused on mentorship, leadership training and taking action on issues that affect girls and young women. Next to workshops, inspiring guests and role models joined panel discussions and spoke to the participants. Four key themes defined the course of the conference:

Girls in ICT
Political leadership for girls and young women
Access to inclusive, quality education for girls
Girls and young women in peace building.

“We want you to lead, take actions on all matters that affect you. It is not tomorrow it is today,” said Evariste Sindayigaya, Country Director of Plan International Sierra Leone at the conference.

Girls and women lack leadership opportunities

Girls and young women continue to face discrimination in political, economic, social, cultural and educational spaces. Disproportionally affected by sexual and gender-based violence, girls and young women in Sierra Leone face enormous challenges and barriers.

Plan International is implementing the She Leads project to support young women to advocate for their rights, break down barriers and bring gender transformative change to communities, institutions and society.

Young women speaking at the She Leads Conference, — Young women speaking at the She Leads Conference.

Girl-led conference promotes positive change

The leadership conference was organised and led by the girls and young women themselves to strengthen institutions to promote girls’ and young women’s development and included a workshop on emotional intelligence. “Before you say anything try to take another person’s perspective,” said conference participant Josephine to her peers.

“This is really energising to see how much you care about helping other girls be the best they can, smashing down the barriers.”
British High Commissioner Lisa Chesney

The media training session included how to stay safe online and how to use media in a positive way. Further, the participants discussed what it means to be a great mentor in depth. Meaningful mentorship between peers and role models can create a great learning and development opportunities for both mentor and mentee. In the session on advocacy, the girls and young women supported each other to be confident and not let societal norms define them.

Adama (2nd right) and Jeneba (right) speaking to their peers about inclusion at the She Leads Conference — Adama (left) and Jeneba (right) speaking to their peers about inclusion at the She Leads Conference.

During the celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Adama and Jeneba spoke about inclusion. “The first thing that I have learned for persons with disabilities, we must be proud and accept ourselves. When we accept ourselves then society will accept us,” said Adama.

“I have also learned about inclusion because during the conference, persons with disabilities have been included and are not stopped from participating. It helps us express ourselves and feel like persons with disability are also part of the society,” said Jeneba.

The Director of Gender, Charles Vandi, joined the conference as a guest speaker. He talked about the implementation of the recently enacted Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act. This ground-breaking law includes opportunities for young women in the political landscape of Sierra Leone.

Panel discussion on women in politics

She Leads GYW — British High Commissioner Lisa Chesney during the panel discussion on political participation at the She Leads Conference.

“I’ve been told to look less feminine to be taken seriously,” said British High Commissioner Lisa Chesney during a panel discussion focused on women in politics.

She talked about her experience being a woman in politics, including her challenges and seeing positive change in society.

“What I would say is that the world is slowing changing,” she said. “My experience now is very different than at the beginning of my career”.

During the panel discussion, the young women talked about getting their voices heard in political decision-making spaces. They demanded more progress in the area of inclusion of young women with disabilities. Further, they encouraged their peers to keep advocating for their rights.

“This is really energising to see how much you care about helping other girls be the best they can, smashing down the barriers,” said Lisa Chesney.

Girls and young women with British High Commissioner Lisa Chesney at the She Leads Leadership Conference.

The conference ended with a celebration with music and dance. The girls and young women showed their leadership capabilities by successfully organising and leading their own conference. They created a safe space for everyone to contribute, learn and commit to actions.

Plan International’s She Leads project is promoting girls’ and young women’s development in Sierra Leone.