U Team SL Official Launching of Girls’ Parliament in Pujehun District

Today (8th March 2025), the United Team Sierra Leone (U Team SL) formerly known as United Team of Pujehun District, commonly known as UN Team Pujehun, with support from the United Nations Population Fund UNFPA Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sierra Leone (MoYA), has officially launched the Girls Parliament in Pujehun District. The launching was hosted at the Pujehun District Council Hall, Pujehun town, with the theme “Girls Too Challenge”: Abolish Teenage Pregnancy and Create Safe Spaces for Girls.

Message From U Team SL, Project Team Lead Khadija Fawundu

In her statement, Khadija Fawundu – the Team Lead representing U Team SL informed the gathering that, the Girls’ Parliament aims to tackle thematic issues such as teenage pregnancy and child marriage while empowering young girls through advocacy and leadership opportunities. Khadija further noted that the structural formation of the Girls’ Parliament will bring together representatives from all the fourteen chiefdoms of Pujehun district, to convene as parliamentarians, amplifying the voices of their peers and championing crucial reforms in child welfare and related activities. She concluded by calling on the support of all and sundry, to invest in the Girls Parliament as a way of helping to sustain safe spaces for girls.

Khadija further noted that the structural formation of the Girls’ Parliament will bring together representatives from all the fourteen chiefdoms of Pujehun district, to convene as parliamentarians, amplifying the voices of their peers and championing crucial reforms in child welfare and related activities. She concluded by calling on the support of all and sundry, to invest in the Girls Parliament as a way of helping to sustain safe spaces for girls.

Statement From Mohamed Kallon, Chairman Pujehun District Youth Council (PDYC)

Mohamed Kallon, Chairman for Pujehun District Youth Council who doubles as a member of the United Team Sierra Leone, explained that the initiative will not only seeks to create safer environments for girls, but also aims to cultivate future leaders by providing a platform for career development and female empowerment within the district and beyond.

Kallon furthered that the collaborative effort between UNFPA, MOYA and the United Team of Pujehun District underscores the commitment of the district’s institutions, stakeholders and partners to launch the Girls Parliament, to end teenage pregnancy, child marriage and other cases of related abuse against girls.

He said the initiative will also uncover public knowledge and understanding on the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act 2022, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024, including other national laws, and further tackle the pressing issue of teenage pregnancy, child marriage and promote the overall well-being of children and adolescents in the district.

‘’In order to sustain the operation of the Girls Parliament, we have provided five lawyers to provide free legal service on teenage pregnancy, child marriage and other child related abuse cases. We have also established the parliament at secondary school level across the district’’. He said.

Kallon concluded by reaffirming their commitment and effort as an indigenous organization in the protection and promotion of the rights of children; particularly the girls, and called on the collective contribution and support from all and sundry.

Statement By Ibrahim Swaray, Civil Society Chairman, Pujehun District Civil Society Movement

In his statement, Ibrahim Swaray, Chairman for Civil Society Movement in Pujehun district, expressed his greatest gratitude and appreciation to the organizers for the launching of the Girls Parliament in Pujehun district. He described the event as a historic moment enhancing the transformation of girls across the district. He described the district as one of the disadvantaged districts in the country where girls face major challenges, and further applauded the organizers for possible selection and involvement of girls within the district.

He concluded by assuring the gathering of their fullest support and commitment as civil society organizations, and pleaded for strong collaboration and coordination of programs that will promote and protect the interest of girls in the district.

Statement By Honourable Sualiho M. Koroma, Former Honourable Member of Parliament, Sierra Leone

Former honourable member of parliament, honourable Sualiho M. Koroma, described the initiative as a fundamental platform for girls to discuss their role and responsibility in society. He further explained the function of parliament to the gathering, and asked on participants to become very active and to act in accordance to the formation of the mock parliament as girls.

He also guided the girls to be participating on issues that will motivate them to become actively protected in society, including radio discussion, focus group discussions, advocacy, quiz and debate program. He pledged his commitment and support in sustaining the operation of the Girls Parliament and seek for onward collaboration and coordination.

Statement By Haja Suafiatu Tunis Kiawu, Chief Executive Officer for Community Response Group

Haja Sufiatu Tunis Kiawu – Chief Executive Officer for Community Response Group applauded the effort and support of the United Team of Pujehun District. She described the initiative as a successful transformational drive initiated by the organizers to empower girls in the district. She stated that they are already doing similar program in the district to carter for the well-being of girls, and this initiative will require a collective effort and collaboration to sustain its achievement.

Haja Kiawu called on the collective support and contribution from stakeholders and institutions to invest in the laudable initiative; further encouraged the girls to engage on research particularly on things that they will be experiencing in society and understand their channel of reporting. She concluded by admonishing the girls to be role models in society since they are serving as parliamentarians in the Girls Parliament. She encouraged them to unearth the current and future opportunity that will enhance them to achieve their full potential through the parliament.

Keynote Address By Honourable Mariama Muania Zombo, Honourable Member of Parliament from Pujehun District

In her keynote address as guest of honour, honourable Mariama Muania Zombo extended her sincere thanks and commendation to the United Team of Pujehun District for organizing the session and selecting her as a guest speaker to officially launch the Girls Parliament in the district. She said that she was pleased with the participants more especially, the pupils and stakeholders. She described Girls Parliament as a mock parliament that will focus on girl’s involvement in legislative training, policy, education, health, politics, democracy, leadership, decision making process and other child related programs.

‘’We are here to launch the Girls Parliament, to talk about how we can end Teenage Pregnancy, and Child Marriage in Pujehun district. And girls must be willing to learn and involve into activism, so that they will be informed as citizens to contribute to national development’’. She said. The erudite lawmaker noted that children must be interested in learning; girls must make use of the Girls Parliament, the free quality education and that parents must monitor their children to enhance sustainability change to a better future.

She disclosed that government has enacted laws to protect and promote the interest of women and girls across the country, including the Prohibition of the Child Marriage Act 2024, the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act 2022, and the Customary Land Rights Act 2022 to name many but a few. She further admonished participants to collectively work with the Girls Parliament and involve girls in district development program, thus encouraging girls to take advantage of the initiative and advocate for their well-being in community.

The keynote speaker pointed out that it is the responsibility of children to have the willingness to learn and, the organizers and partners must monitor all girl’s activities in the district. She said much attention should be paid to the girls in the remote communities that are sacrificing to achieve their potential in those vulnerable domains. She disclosed a recent report by Doctors With Africa – Cuamm by stating that, according to the report one third of girls have experienced a livebirth and that six per cent have had pregnancy with first child. She furthered that several reports have affirmed that thirty per cent of girls have engaged into child marriage.

She expressed great concern as how difficult it is for a child to get pregnant, be under married with a child and be fighting to be educated while others are not even in school. Honourable Zombo stated that the negative action of these reports against girls was influenced by the decision for the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Bio to contact here to push a private member motion and advocate for the enactment of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024; in order to protect the rights of girls across the country.

She further encouraged participants to help and contribute to development program by investing in the Girls Parliament initiative. She said Pujehun as a district has recorded many challenging issues with regards to teenage pregnancy, child marriage and other child abuse offenses; encouraged girls to increase their chances in education and to publicly report anybody, that is trying to contribute towards their downfall. While explaining the context and consequences of some national legislations to girls, the lawmaker stated that “girls should learn by example, my background is not absolutely luxury but, I did everything humanly possible to acquire education and, today, I thank God for my status, standing before you as a honourable member of parliament is a blessing ” Honourable Zombo said, adding that “stakeholders should provide the necessary support that will increase access to sustainable opportunity to girls in Pujehun district.

She emphasized that the United Team of Pujehun District should strengthen their partnership with UNFPA, MOYA and other partners to involve in resource mobilization to provide the service needed for girls in order to end teenage pregnancy, child marriage; also intensify tangible campaigns and do awareness raising and sensitization program on the importance of the Girls Parliament, which will further transform the girls into sustainable growth and development. Honourable Zombo ended her speech by encouraging girls to remain focus and fight against issues that affect their rights in community. She officially launched the Girls Parliament together with the organizers and participants present, and administered Oath of office to the Speaker of the Girls Parliament by encouraging her to govern the parliament in the best interest of girls and the district.

Commitment From Other Key Players / Stakeholders For The Effectiveness Of The Girls’ Parliament

Speaking on behalf of Women in the district, Councillor Baby Sellu, Women of Wanjama, said women and children are more vulnerable in any difficult situation and that the enforcement of laws in solving the rights of girls is moving very slowly in Pujehun district due to persistent teenage pregnancy, existing early marriage, child abuse and GBV. Representative for the Ministry of Social Welfare, Ministry of Gender and Children Affairs, the Paramount Chief of Kpanga Chiefdom, SLP, RSLAF and other speakers similarly contributed immensely to the program.

Summary of Inaugural Speech by the Elected Speaker of the Girls’ Parliament, Hon. Michaella Hawa Jah

Summary of her inaugural speech, the elected Speaker of the Girls Parliament – Michaella Hawa Jah expressed special gratitude to the United Team of Sierra Leone, UNFPA, MOYA and other partners for investing in girls through this initiative. She stated that the Girls Parliament will also ensure that our girls grow up in an environment that is safe, that supports their emotional and mental well-being, and that encourages them to be bold and fearless in pursuing their dreams.

‘’Too often, girls in our district are subjected to gender-based violence, child marriages, other sexual offenses, and harmful cultural practices that undermine their future. It is essential that we work together parents, teachers, community leaders, donor partners and policymakers to protect girls from these threats and provide them with the tools they need to thrive’. She said.

She concluded by encouraging the girls to continue to fight for their rights, to raise their voices, and to create a world where girls and women have equal opportunities and rights. She therefore encouraged girls to take advantage of the Girls Parliament and build on their future, the positive future they want for all girls.

Certification And Signing Of Communique Between U Team SL, UNFPA and MoYA of the Launch Of The Girls’ Parliament

At the climax of the launching session, participants were opportune to launched the Girls Parliament together with the keynote speaker, witnessed a poem by Isata G. Massaquoi, signing of the launching certificate by partners, oath of office and inaugural statement from the Speaker of the Girls Parliament – Michaella Hawa Jah, group photos and documentary.

The program provided possible recommendations that will enhance more investment in the Girls Parliament, in order to increase sustainable access to girl’s rights agenda in the district.

The Girls’ Parliament aims to end teenage pregnancy and child marriage, create safe spaces and empower adolescent girls by ensuring equal opportunities for all in the district.

Stakeholders, UNFPA, MoYA, U Team SL, MDAs, students and school authorities were enthusiastically grateful with the initiative, seeing the Girls’ Parliament as a transformative opportunity for girls to actualize their full potential by helping to realize their roles and responsibility in communities, network with peers, share ideas, and support each other.

This platform will empower girls to advocate for their rights, influence policies, and tackle teenage pregnancy and child marriage.

As a way of sustaining the Young Women Leading Change Innovation Challenge initiative, UNFPA, MOYA and U Team SL remain committed to supporting girls to end child marriage and reduce teenage pregnancy in Pujehun district and Sierra Leone at large, through the Girls’ Parliament.

About The U Team SL

The United Team Sierra Leone (U Team SL) formerly United Team of Pujehun District (UN Team Pujehun) – Motto: “We Are Stronger Together” is a registered non-profit indigenous developmental organization operating in Sierra Leone, established in 2014 but gained formal recognition on the 1st of January 2018. Which has nationally gained a productive ground, in the area of development, social change, economic growth and humanitarianism.