United Team Sierra Leone – U Team SL’s mission featured strategic stakeholder engagement, partnership building, and regional development collaboration across the Mano River Union and ECOWAS sub-region
From February 11–14, 2026, the United Team Sierra Leone (U Team SL) undertook a four-day diplomatic mission to Monrovia, Liberia, with an eight-member delegation – https://www.youtube.com/@uteamsl
Among the distinguished members was Michaela Hawau Sandy, Speaker of the Girls’ Parliament in Pujehun District, who represented the voices of girls and young women in Sierra Leone during high-level engagements with regional institutions and government officials.
The Girls’ Parliament was formally launched on March 8, 2025, in Pujehun District by U Team SL, with support from the United Nations Population Fund UNFPA Sierra Leone) and the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sierra Leone, under the Young Women Leading Change Innovation Challenge Project – https://youtu.be/E4BdUJ4xdHo?si=d2BoLlfll12ETgZ9 / https://youtu.be/MqJgarpuKto?si=e4S3RYGf5chEs2Tw
This initiative was built on the success of the teenage pregnancy campaign, “Girls Too Challenge: Abolish Teenage Pregnancy and Create Safe Spaces for Girls,” launched earlier in January 2025.
The Girls’ Parliament was established to sustain the campaign’s impact, reduce teenage pregnancy, end child marriage, and create safe spaces for girls, while amplifying their voices in governance and development.
Michaela’s inclusion in the delegation was both symbolic and strategic. As Speaker of the Girls’ Parliament, she actively participated in all meetings, making statements that emphasized the importance of youth and gender representation in regional development.
Her contributions highlighted the urgent need to abolish teenage pregnancy, end child marriage, and create safe spaces for girls, ensuring that these issues remain central to regional cooperation and policy dialogue.
One of her most notable roles came during the engagement at the Mano River Union (MRU) Sub-Office, where she formally handed over the certificate of recognition to Resident Coordinator Mr. Christian W. Jallah Sr. on behalf of U Team SL.
This act symbolized the trust placed in young women leaders and demonstrated U Team SL’s commitment to empowering girls to take leadership roles in diplomatic and developmental processes.
Throughout the mission, Michaela joined her fellow delegates in engagements with key institutions, including the Sierra Leone Embassy in Monrovia, the ECOWAS Head of Delegation/ Liberia Parliament, the Liberian Senate, the Roberts Flight Information Region (RFIR), the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Liberia, the ECOWAS Resident Representative, and the courtesy visit to the residence of former Vice President of Liberia, Jewel Howard-Taylor, to extend their condolences on the passing of her son, Charles Philip Taylor, Jr.
In each of these forums, her statements reinforced the importance of youth-led initiatives and gender inclusion, underscoring the role of girls in advancing collective prosperity across Sierra Leone and Liberia.
“As Speaker of the Girls’ Parliament, I was honored to represent the voices of girls during this diplomatic mission. Making statements in every meeting allowed me to emphasize that teenage pregnancy, child marriage, and sexual offenses against girls are not just community issues but regional challenges that demand collective action. Handing over the certificate of recognition to the Mano River Union Coordinator on behalf of U Team SL was a proud moment, symbolizing the trust placed in young women leaders. I am committed to cascading the achievements of this mission to the Girls’ Parliament and continuing our school tours to educate and empower girls, ensuring that their rights, dignity, and future are protected.” Michaela Hawau Sandy.
WE ARE STRONGER TOETHER