Ibrahim Bangura calls for protections for girls in Sierra Leone

Dr. Ibrahim Bangura, leader of the DIB Movement and presumptive APC flagbearer, has called for intensified national action to protect girls' rights and expand access to quality education in Sierra Leone.

Speaking at the 11th Annual National Girls Empowerment Forum (NaGEF 2026) at the Sierra Leone Parliament in Freetown, Bangura urged stakeholders to end harmful practices, including child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM). He emphasized that investing in girls is a fundamental priority for the country's human capital development, social progress, and long-term prosperity.

Bangura stressed that education provides the knowledge and confidence necessary for girls to achieve economic independence and contribute to national development. He called for a coordinated response involving the government, Parliament, religious and traditional leaders, and civil society to remove the social and economic barriers that prevent girls from remaining in school.