By Ragan M. Conteh

In Port Loko District, the women are rising with determination, ready to celebrate not only their resilience but also their power to shape the future. As the world prepares for the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, the women of Port Loko District in Governance are stepping forward with renewed strength and vision.

Port Loko District, located in Sierra Leone’s Northwest Province, is the country’s second most populous district with over 600,000 residents, predominantly Temne and largely Muslims. Its capital is Port Loko city, while Lunsar stands as its largest city, alongside key towns such as Lungi, Masiaka, Rokupr, Pepel, and Gbinti. Covering about 5,719 km², the district plays an important role in Sierra Leone’s social, cultural, and economic life, serving as a hub of trade and industry while remaining deeply rooted in tradition and community leadership.

From November 25th to December 10th 2025, the district will unite to honor women’s invaluable contributions to governance, guided by the inspiring leadership of Hon. Madam Rugiatu Neneh Turay SAT Koroma.

Hon. Koroma affectionately known as Neneh Turay a pioneer and a genuine trendsetter has been a fearless voice in Sierra Leone’s fight to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). As President of Women in Governance, Port Loko District, Executive Director of the Amazonian Initiative Movement (AIM), and Chairperson of the Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP), she has never wavered in her mission to challenge harmful traditions, restore dignity, and open doors of opportunity for women and girls.

Her leadership has not only saved lives but also inspired a movement of women who are no longer content to remain silent or sidelined. Through safe spaces, capacity building and community driven advocacy, she has shown women that they can be leaders, decision-makers and builders of lasting change.

This year’s celebration will honor both the trailblazers and the quiet heroines the women whose everyday acts of courage are reshaping families, communities and futures. Their perseverance reflects a powerful truth: the women of Port Loko are not just participants in change, they are architects of it.

With a focus on recognition and development, the 16 days of activism in Port Loko will go beyond commemoration. It will mark a new era of visibility, where every woman’s contribution is valued, every voice is amplified, and no one is left behind. From the towns to the chiefdoms, the message is clear: women are ready for what lies ahead.

As the countdown begins, we invite all to join this movement of empowerment, unity, and transformation. Under the vision of Hon. Neneh Turay, the women of Port Loko are proving that when women rise, communities thrive.

“Stay tuned for more programme highlights and let’s us move together toward a future where women’s leadership is recognized, celebrated and unstoppable,” appealed.