By Stanley Senya
Accra, July 10, GNA-The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and collaborators joined government leaders, civil society to champion women’s empowerment and child protection at the 7th edition of the Strengthening Families Conference (SFC) 2025 in Freetown.
The two-day Conference officially opened at the Bintumani International Conference Centre on the theme: “Building Stronger Communities through Women Empowerment and Child Protection.”
Madam Fatima Maada Bio, the First Lady of Sierra Leone said the Conference presented a unique platform to drive lasting change and consequently challenged stakeholders to turn dialogue into action.
“Let me use this as a call to us all to not let this be just a conference. Let us use this platform to design policies that will make women change-makers in our society,” she urged.
She said promoting women’s empowerment should not be reduced to tokenism, as genuinely empowering women sad tangible and far-reaching effects.
“Women are agents of transformation. They build up the families, and our families are what build up our society,” the First Lady added.
Elder Isaac K. Morrison, General Authority Seventy and Second Counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency, representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, echoed this conviction, highlighting the role of women in the home and across various facets of society.
“Women create harmonious and resilient communities. We need more women of virtue, purity, and empowerment, and this begins with the family,” he said.
Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles, President of the Inter-Religious Council, described empowerment as a spiritual responsibility, and consequently, must be spearheaded by religious institutions.
“Religious institutions must champion gender equality and child welfare,” he said.
Traditional leader Sheku Amadu Tejan Fasuluku-Sonsiama III said, “It is in our homes, towns, and villages that true transformation must begin. When women are given a seat at the table, nations prosper.”
Elder Alfred Kyungu, President of the Africa West Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, underscored the benefits of dedicated care for the young people.
“Children are shaped by their experiences; hence, families must create a conducive environment that contributes not just to their physical well-being but to their emotional and spiritual health,” he added.
Elder Kyungu, revealed plans to build a 54-bed safe house in partnership with the office of the First Lady.
“This facility will not only provide shelter but also counseling sessions to help survivors regain their footing in society,” he said.
Ahead of the Conference, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints commissioned a comprehensive renovation of the Intensive Care Units at Connaught Hospital, the nation’s main healthcare facility.
The project represents the Church’s deep commitment to alleviating burdens and bringing hope to communities around the world.
Professor Dr. Charles Senessie, the Acting Minister of Health of Sierra Leone said “The collaboration between the Church and the government is vital for improving health outcomes in Sierra Leone.”
The donation included ICU beds, defibrillators, vital sign monitors, and other critical equipment, reinforcing the message that healthy families are the foundation of strong nations.
The conference is scheduled to be held in Monrovia, Liberia in June, 2026.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba