RC's Speech - At the Launch of the Elsie Initiative Fund Project

It is an honor to join you today for the launch of a project that is as bold as it is necessary - a project that sends a clear message to every girl and every woman in uniform: Your talent is needed. Your leadership is valued. Your place in security and peacekeeping is non-negotiable. 

Thanks to the support of the Elsie Initiative Fund and UN Women, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) are embarking on a two-year journey to dismantle the barriers that have long held women back from realizing their full potential in peacekeeping.  

This means: 

• Improved training facilities
• Fairer and more inclusive policies
• Strengthened healthcare systems
• Increased presence of female medical personnel
• Safe and accountable mechanisms to report and track misconduct 

However, success requires collective effort. The leadership of the RSLAF, the guidance of government ministries, the expertise of UN Women, the support of Elsie Initiative Fund and the commitment of other partners and donors, the advocacy of the Civil Society, voices of the media, etc.  everyone here has a role to play in this transformative journey. This initiative also supports Sierra Leone’s broader development goals, including: 

• The Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act
• The UNSCR 1325 National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security
• The Mid-Term National Development Plan  

All of which are integral to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) in Sierra Leone (2024-2030). 

Beyond infrastructure and policy, this project is about vision. A vision where Sierra Leone is not only a contributor to global peacekeeping, but a champion of gender equality in the security sector. A vision where young cadets women lead in the classroom, in the field, and in command. A vision where the world looks to Sierra Leone as proof that inclusion strengthens forces, enhances missions, and makes peace more durable. 

Let us also remember that this is not a women’s issue alone. When we remove barriers for women, we strengthen RSLAF, we strengthen Sierra Leone, and we honor the country’s proud legacy in peacekeeping. We enhance operational capacity, uphold the highest standards of conduct, and build a more resilient and inclusive force. 

Recently, Chief Superintendent Zainab Gbla of Sierra Leone was recognized for her exceptional work in the UN interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) as the UN Women Police Officer of the Year. Her story is not just about personal achievement, it’s a beacon of hope and possibility. It reminds us that when women are empowered to serve, they uplift entire communities. It’s a call to action for institutions to invest in women’s leadership, and for society to recognize that inclusion strengthens peace, justice, and national progress. 

Your Excellency Madam First Lady, Honorable Ministers, may I use this opportunity to call on us all to be ambitious and relentless in prioritizing inclusion. And let us make this launch not just a moment in the calendar but a milestone in our history and a turning point where we declare that the full participation of women in peace operations is not optional, it is essential. 

To the RSLAF: your leadership matters and is recognized. To our government partners, donors, media, and civil society: your support will make the difference. And to every woman in uniform, current or aspiring, know this: 
 

Your country believes in you. The United Nations stands with you. And the world is waiting for your leadership. 

I Salute you all and thank you for your attention.