By George M.O. Williams
Freetown, Sierra Leone – The Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, officially opened the 4th Nalafem summit at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.
The two-day event is expected to culminate in the signing of the Nalafem Freetown Declaration and the securing of over 50 institutional pledges to promote gender equity in executive decision-making across Africa.
The summit, themed “From Representation to Power: Women Leading in Crisis & Peace,” aims to drive time-bound targets, budget commitments, and concrete policy reforms that advance women’s leadership in governance and peacebuilding.
Nalafem, also known as the Nala Feminist Collective, is a Pan-African platform for women in politics, activism, and governance. It aims to empower African women and girls by providing resources, training, and a platform for leadership development.
The organization is known for initiatives like the Nalafem Academy and Fellowship programs, which equip women with skills in areas like bodily autonomy, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), and combating gender-based violence (GBV)
The gathering brought together a diverse range of leaders from across the African continent, including ministers, parliamentarians, young changemakers, activists, and survivors, united in the goal of shifting the conversation from symbolic representation to meaningful political influence.
In her keynote address, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr shared how the summit’s theme deeply resonates with her own experience in Sierra Leone.
She recounted volunteering during the Ebola outbreak for three months, an act of service she credits as foundational to her success as mayor and to her broader political aspirations.
“My willingness to collaborate, to persevere, and never give up has shaped my leadership. That same spirit must be brought into the workplace to help women articulate ideas and drive real change,” Mayor Aki-Sawyerr said.
She emphasized that creating an environment where women feel genuinely supported and satisfied is crucial.
“We are resilient people, but we need hope to thrive. I envision a society where opportunities for youth, women, and all citizens are fully actualized,” Mayor said.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr further stressed that the summit is not just about visibility for women, but about placing them at the heart of policymaking and peace processes, fundamentally reimagining power.
Founder and President of Nalafem, Aya Chebbi, also delivered a powerful address, highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of women to Sierra Leone’s post-war peace.
She pointed out that despite their efforts, women continue to face online abuse and political intimidation, threatening their gains in policymaking and public leadership.
“There are powerful African women, but many are still in crisis—struggling for peace, silenced, and ignored,” she said.
She cited that the summit is not just about accessing office; it’s about sustaining women in high-impact spaces.”
Chebbi called for the release of all detained women and demanded a continent where women can live and lead without fear, violence, or suppression.
Board Chairperson of Nalafem, Rose Wachuka, described the summit as a pivotal moment in the movement for gender equality.
She urged women to move from being admired to being normalized in leadership roles.
“African women are already leading,” Wachuka declared. “They don’t need to be included—they are already here. Deconstructing male-dominated systems will require radical transformation.”
The summit features high-level dialogue sessions, including contributions from United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed (via video), Africa’s first elected female president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and Africa’s youngest serving minister Hon. Emma Theofelus. These discussions are expected to yield bold commitments and promote deep intergenerational collaboration.
The summit concludes with the Nalafem Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner, headlined by former President Sirleaf and honoring trailblazing women in peacebuilding, governance, and intergenerational leadership.