Traditional Sowei women in the 14 Chiefdom of Kono District have declared their support to First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio for championing the Hands Off Our Girls programs that seek to protect and prevent women and girls across the country from sexual and other abuses.
The meeting was held at the resident of the First Lady in Koidu City Kono District.
Addressing the Soweis, Her Excellency, the First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio expressed her thanks and appreciation to her sister Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden for serving as the link to bring the women together.
She added that the meeting is to firstly ask that the Soweis take her as their daughter and secondly, to introduce herself to them as the First Lady and daughter of the soil.
She used the opportunity to introduce her husband, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio to them as the father of the nation and also asked that they accept him as their in-law.
Speaking on behalf of the SoweIs, the head of the delegation, Madam Dopojoe Fanta Filie expressed her thanks and appreciation to the First Lady for inviting them to such a meeting.
She admitted that this is the first meeting they are holding with the First Lady, adding that they are grateful, “We have been neglected for long, no support, no initiation, no source of income, we pray that you use your good office to advocate for us” she said, adding that they are in love with the First Lady and will always support her in whatever she is undertaking.
In her brief statement, Dr. Sylvia Blyden admitted that she has known the Soweis since her days as Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs.
She revealed that she is doing all this in support of her younger sister, the First Lady.
*Strategic Communications Division
Office of the First Lady
