Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Freetown City Mayor, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has on Tuesday, July 1st, 2025, officially launched the 4th Nalafem Summit with a keynote speech, urging women to take on leadership roles in challenging environments.
Hosted by the Nalafem Collective, this year’s summit is themed “From Representation to Power: Women Leading in Crisis & Peace,” and gathers 100 leaders from across Africa, including government ministers, parliamentarians, youth leaders, activists, and survivors.
In her keynote address, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr reflected on her political journey, emphasizing her role in managing Sierra Leone’s response to the Ebola epidemic. She articulated how her agenda as mayor is focused on transformative change and improving the lives of Freetown’s residents.
She shared with the audience how she has remained focused and committed to her work despite facing intimidation and harassment, drawing strength from prayer and, importantly, from building strong networks and support systems.
The Mayor also shared insights into her political aspirations, highlighting her ambition to seek the highest office in the country. “My drive is rooted in the belief that true power comes from God,” she affirmed, encouraging women to take on leadership roles in challenging environments.
The first day of the summit featured several panel discussions addressing critical issues affecting women in leadership. Topics included “Resist and Rise: Feminist Strategies in Hostile Political and Digital Spaces,” “From the Margins to Leadership: Survivors Confront Systems of Power and Anti-Rights Movements,” and “A New Intergenerational Pact: Shaking the Old House, Beyond a Seat at the Table.” These discussions aimed to foster impactful conversations among participants.
Prominent figures, including government ministers, UN representatives, political party leaders, civil society advocates, feminist leaders, and survivors, contributed to the dialogues.
Notably, UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem delivered a video message reaffirming the agency’s commitment to advancing reproductive rights, gender equality, and the leadership of women and girls.
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