04/02/2026
In Ireland we celebrate St. Brigid’s day on 1st of February.
St. Brigid is Irelands matron saint, and her day is marked in Ireland and across the world by celebrating the leadership, acumen and creativity of women.
This year, on St. Brigid's day, the Embassy of Ireland in Sierra Leone was delighted to showcase the life and work of our first female president, Mary Robinson. President Robinson was a lifelong advocate for human rights, and served as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights after her term as President of Ireland concluded. She has been credited for modernising the presidency, and promoting equality and inclusion. She has been a leading voice on issues of climate and the environment, and has advocated for the application of Climate Justice to addressing the crisis.
We brought together women from across our network, including those participating in programmes supported by Ireland, to showcase small businesses, to discuss key enablers and challenges, and what needs to be done to improve gender equality in Sierra Leone. We were honoured to be joined by a number of great women in Sierra Leone, including Dr. Isata Mahoi, Minister of Gender and Children's Affairs, Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Madam Yema Mimi Soba-Stephens, Patricia Narsu Ndanema, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL), and Yvonne Aki-Sawyer Mayor of Freetown.
We look forward to continuing these conversations, and our work on gender equality, with women and men from across Sierra Leone. Mrs. Robinson’s life and impact demonstrates that women’s participation and leadership, from grassroots organisations to the highest levels of political office, serves to strengthen society by adding talent, creativity and insight for the benefit of all.
