𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝

The Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President, Madam Manty Tarawalli has been nominated for the 2024 Women Changing The World Awards under the category Global Impact.

The Women Changing the World Awards is organized by Sarah – Duchess of York, Dr. Tererai Trent, Peace Mitchell, and Katy Garner. They seek to recognize women all over the world who are changing the world in big and small ways.

There is a summit in the UK in May followed by a banquet where the awards will be handed out on the 28th May.

After nomination, nominees are contacted and informed. Then these nominees are asked a series of questions. Thereafter the Board of Judges will meet and decide on the winners. An announcement of the winners will then be published on the 28th March.

“My achievements at the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs are tangible, measurable and sustainable. I worked hard. So to even be nominated is already a great feat,” Minister Manty Tarawalli remarked.

“It is an absolute honor just to be recognized and nominated for such a prestigious award. To be one of the winners will be amazing, “said Honorable Manty Tarawalli.

“No matter where you live in the world, you no longer live in isolation .The world has become a global village. The achievements we boast of in Sierra Leone are known globally.

These days, technology connects the world. And to be recognized for one’s work by such outstanding group of individuals in a category of Global Impact is an honor of tremendous feat,” the Minister of State added.

The Former Gender and Children’s Affairs Minister who pioneered the enactment of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act told this medium that it has never been easy leading the enactment of the GEWE Act, adding that it has never been easy changing the status quo. “If Sierra Leone can achieve it, then other countries can learn from it to advance the global agenda,” she opined.

Among other achievements, she pointed out that she introduced and pioneered the initiative that contributed to the reduction of sexual and gender-based violence in the country through the introduction of free rape hotline-116, one stop centers, introduction of the male involvement strategy, and introduction of sexuality education into the basic education curriculum, among others.

According to the Minister, Sierra Leone is considered a trail blazer in the area of Gender, adding that this recognition, from nomination through to award is one concrete proof.

“It proves that Sierra Leone under the leadership of President Bio is doing the right thing which people across the world are noticing. I expect that due to the publicity associated with the awards, it would create opportunities for Sierra Leone to share its lessons and best practices with other countries. In essence, demonstrate our leadership in these areas,” she told this medium