Sierra Leone Hosts Families Conference, Champions Women and Child Protection
The 7th edition of the Strengthening Families Conference (SFC) concluded in Freetown with renewed calls to prioritize women’s empowerment, child protection, and public health as central pillars for building resilient communities in Sierra Leone and across West Africa.
Held under the theme “Building Stronger Communities through Women Empowerment and Child Protection”, the two-day event was officially opened on June 26, 2025, at the Bintumani International Conference Centre. Organized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and partners, the conference brought together government leaders, religious organizations, civil society, and regional dignitaries.
In her keynote address, First Lady Fatima Maada Bio urged participants to go beyond dialogue and create transformative policies. “Let us use this platform to design policies that will make women change-makers in our society,” she said. Emphasizing the societal impact of empowered women, she added, “Women build up families, and our families build up our society.”
Elder Isaac K. Morrison, a senior leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, praised women as builders of harmonious societies and stressed that family values must guide development.
Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles of the Inter-Religious Council called on religious bodies to champion gender equality, while Traditional Leader Sheku Amadu Tejan Fasuluku-Sonsiama III stated, “When women are given a seat at the table, nations prosper.”
Messages of support came from Ambassador Bob Sheriff of Liberia and Amir Musa Mewa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, reflecting regional solidarity.
Day two shifted focus to child welfare, with Elder Alfred Kyungu urging families to foster environments that support emotional, physical, and spiritual growth. “Children are shaped by their experiences,” he said. Youth advocate Grace Ada Brown highlighted the role of strong families in building strong nations.
Experts from Protect Child Health Coalition–USA, Engage Now Africa, and Family Watch International offered practical solutions for safeguarding children, while panelists emphasized trust-building between families and institutions.
A key milestone was the announcement of a 54-bed safe house for survivors of gender-based violence, jointly led by The Church and the First Lady’s office. “This facility will not only provide shelter but also counseling to help survivors regain their footing,” said Elder Kyungu.
In a show of commitment to health, The Church also renovated the Intensive Care Units at Connaught Hospital, Sierra Leone’s primary healthcare facility. The donation included ICU beds, monitors, and life-saving equipment. Dr. Ibrahim Kapuwa, Hospital Care Manager, called it “a lifeline.”
The next edition of the Strengthening Families Conference will be held in Monrovia, Liberia in June 2026, with expectations high for continued momentum across the region.
