Young Women in Democracy Forum, in collaboration with the Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), hosted Cinema for Change – Breaking Barriers, Leading Change to celebrate International Women’s Day.
The event was more than just a movie screening. It was an opportunity to reflect on the
resilience, determination, and leadership that women bring to the table, particularly in politics.
The movie captured Margaret Thatcher’s rise to power as the first female Prime Minister of the
UK in a male-dominated world and showcased the many challenges women face in leadership
roles.
Marcella Samba-Sesay, Executive Director of CGG, explained that the purpose of the screening
was to motivate young women to pursue leadership roles with determination and readiness. She emphasised that while celebrating International Women’s Day, it is crucial to recognise that every woman and girl matters.
She pointed out that women, regardless of their backgrounds, whether struggling or succeeding, should never give up on their dreams. She also encouraged them to be resilient, noting that while it is okay to cry, it is important to keep moving forward and not to succumb to despair. She continued, ” and added that the top is always beautiful.
Mariama Sahid, Advocacy Officer at Young Women in Democracy Forum, added that the essence of the screening was to inspire young women by highlighting the journey of the UK’s
first female Prime Minister. She noted that even though Sierra Leone has not yet had a female
president, the event served as a reminder that women can break barriers, debunk societal
norms, and make a significant impact in leadership.
Badriatu Turay, National Coordinator of Young Women in Democracy Forum, led an engaging
discussion where she encouraged participants to reflect on the lessons from the film and
contextualise the challenges and journey of Thatcher to that of Sierra Leone.
The discussion
was designed to inspire leadership within young women and saw active participation from the
attendees. She climaxed her session by reiterating, “Let’s debunk societal norms. We can be
great leaders if we are ready.”