Asmaa James Asmaa James

Becoming A Young African Leader From Sierra Leone

Written By Asmaa James

September 20, 2023

In 2016, I was privileged to be selected as a young and emerging leader from Sierra Leone to participate in one of the most prestigious fellowships, The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), under the Mandela Washington Fellowship, an initiative of former President Barack Obama. 

It was an intense six-week academic and professional learning experience. I was proudly placed at the Presidential Precinct, a combination of two of America’s premier universities, William & Mary and the University of Virginia. We learned a lot about leadership, community service, and civic engagement.

ASMAA (CENTER) RECEIVING HER CERTIFICATE FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL PRECINCT, JULY 2016

It was indeed a life-changing experience for me. The end of the six weeks on August 3rd, 2016, was climaxed by a town hall meeting with former President Barack Obama, an opportunity and experience I am grateful for and those memories will continue to spur me on.

I watched President Obama address one thousand young leaders from across Africa in one room, passionately speaking from his heart, saying, “The talent you’ve got is the future of your country”. His words resonated with me.

FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SPEAKING TO 2016 MANDELA WASHINGTON FELLOWS

Watch President Obama’s full remarks on the Presidential Precinct’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/rTr73O05RKA?si=0mwfD-vDUQ98qBHj

He was determined and selfless in advocating for change in the lives of young people across Africa. He said to us: “Years from now, when you are running a big business or doing a great non-profit or leading your country as President or minister, my hope is that you can look back and keep drawing from the strength and experience that you’ve gotten here, and I hope you will remember those of us who believed in your potential”.

Those words have always been in my heart, and I made a commitment to myself to continue with my passion and dedication to promoting issues that affect society and, most notably, women and children.

I want to say that those inspiring words from former President Obama and my commitment have proudly become a reality.

I have recently established Rise Radio 96.3FM, a community service media organisation that seeks to provide a platform and opportunity to amplify the voices of women, girls, and young people in addressing critical and emerging issues affecting them. It will also promote human rights, a just and inclusive society, democracy and progressive governance and climate change through radio broadcasts.

RISE RADIO PLAYS ON 96.3 FM IN FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE

Rise Radio is already becoming the “voice of many voices,” offering space and opportunities to diverse groups to share their experiences, views, concerns and perspectives.

YALI was a massive opportunity for me. At this point, I would like to thank former President Barack Obama for his incredible initiative, the United States Embassy in Sierra Leone, the US State Department, the entire staff of the Presidential Precinct, the YALI Network, and the Mandela Washington Fellowship for the unforgettable experience.

– Asmaa James
Proud 2016 YALI Fellow

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The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is a program of the U.S. State Department with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX. The Presidential Precinct is a sub-grantee of IREX and is implementing a U.S.-based Leadership Institute as a part of the Fellowship.

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UK High Commission recognises Asmaa James and six other women champions

Asmaa James and six other Sierra Leonean women who champion issues affecting girls and women have been honoured but the UK High Commission in Sierra Leone on the occasion of the Queen of England’s Platinum Jubilee.

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Asmaa James recieves Sierra Leone’s second highest civilian honour

Asmaa James was awarded the Officer of the Order of the Rokel, Sierra Leone’s second highest honour for civilians by His Excellency Julius Maada Bio. Asmaa was recognised for her contributions to radio broadcasting, enhancing the interface between government and citizens and her campaign against child rape in Sierra Leone.

Source: Africa Press

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Introducing ‘Another Chance’ Project for Teen Moms in Sierra Leone

Asmaa James and Sierra Leone’s Minister of Education Dr. David Sengeh conduct community outreach with teen moms

In March 2020, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), under the leadership of Hon. Dr David Moinina Sengeh, overturned the “ban on pregnant girls attending school“. This meant, girls who are pregnant, and want to continue school should be allowed to do so. In addition to overturning the ban, MBSSE also launched the “ Zero school girl pregnancy campaign”.

During the 2020 National Primary School (NPSE) and the West African Senior Secondary School examinations, about Sixty-Three (63) students, were pregnant, of which twenty-nine (29) of those took the NPSE examination in Bonthe district alone. This is unprecedented!

My organization, Girls Plus with support from MBSSE have launched a campaign to get these girls back to school after delivery. On Friday I had the honour and privilege to accompany the Minister of Basic Education, Dr. Sengeh to get first hand information, and encourage pregnant girls to return to school in Moyamba District.

Many thanks to Dr. Sengeh and his team at MBSSE for supporting Girls Plus. Together we can all get pregnant girls back to school after they deliver.

Join the campaign, give #AnotherChance to girls and get them back to school.

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Asmaa James honored as 100 Most Influential Women in the World in 2019 – BBC 100 Women

Asmaa James - Sierra Leonean journalist and advocate honoured by BBC for her efforts to raise awareness about rape.

Sierra Leone’s Asmaa James founder of the Black Tuesday Movement has been listed as BBC 100 Women for 2019. BBC 100 Women is a list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world who are social change makers in the 21st century.

In December 2018 James launched the Black Tuesday Movement against rape and sexual. The movement has become a national platform to discuss reproductive health rights and it brings the plight of abused girls and women to the fore.

The BBC 100 Women list was originally established in 2013 after the 2012 Delhi gang rape. BBC Controller Liliane Landor, BBC editor Fiona Crack and other journalist were inspired to create a series that focus entirely on women’s achievement in the present society.

BBC launched the series to address the under-representation of women in the media Women who participated in the first program were chosen by survey in 26 different language services Programming ran over the course of a month, culminating in a conference held on 25 October, in which 100 women from across the world discussed issues they shared. A wide range of topics was debated covering employment challenges, feminism, motherhood, and religion, to examine both the cultural and social challenges women faced in living their lives.

“This is an amazing recognition for a small-town girl like me. It is beyond anything I ever imagined could happen to me, ” said Asmaa James.

It gives me motivation to use my platform to advocate for women and girls in Sierra Leone. It is an honor to be in a place in my life where I can use my influence as an act of service.”

The BBC 100 Women list includes women ranging from age 15 to 94, and they are from more than 60 countries, which includes leaders, trailblazers, and everyday heroes. Women who are already famous are included, as well as people who are less known.

After the list is unveiled, the “BBC’s women season”, lasting for three weeks, which includes broadcast, online reports, debates and journalism on the topic of women begin.

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AJ Foundation to hold ‘adolescent reproductive health debate’

The Asmaa James Foundation will host its first ever inter secondary school debate competition to increase awareness about adolescent reproductive health issues.

Students from St. Joseph Secondary School, Evelyn’s Royal Academy Senior Secondary School, Freetown Secondary School for girls and Vine Memorial Secondary School will debate on the topic; “Should contraceptives be made available to children’s under the age of 18.”

The debate will take place on the 14th June 2019, at the AYV TV Wesley Street Freetown at 4:00 pm.

A government policy states that Family Planning (FP) information and distribution of FP commodities in schools is not allowed, likewise children under 18 should not have access to contraceptives except with parental consent.

Radio broadcast journalist, Asmaa James said there is need now for sex education for Sierra Leone’s teenagers.

” Looking at the very high cases of teen pregnancy and knowing that up to 40% of maternal mortality cases are teens we have to get serious and take sex education to the schools,” said Mrs James.

“This will help our children understand sex and empower them to make healthy choices. The more they know about healthy sexual behaviors, contraceptive use including the more responsible choices they’ll make” she added.

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Asmaa James receives 2019 Most Outstanding Citizen Award from Chozen Generation

Asmaa James has been presented with one of the Most Outstanding Sierra Leoneans award for 2018 by Chozen Generation Sierra Leone. Chozen Generation Sierra Leone is an award-winning youth advocacy and leadership development organization in Sierra Leone.

The award was given to Asmaa James in recognition of her objective journalism and for her robust campaign to end Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the country.

Ashley Fatoma a member of the organisation while giving the award said,”As the Station Manager of Radio Democracy, Asmaa has made sure that timely and important news are regularly relayed to the public’’.

“Good Morning Salone” has significantly contributed to bridging the gap of information in Sierra Leone. The program played an influential role in the 2018 elections. Asmaa also engages in advocacy and humanitarian work through her charity, the Asmaa James Foundation. AJF spearheaded the now acclaimed Black Tuesday Campaign that has turned the spotlight on evils of sexual and Gender-based Violence said Fatoma.

In her acceptance speech, Mrs. James said – “With humility, I receive this award and dedicate it to my selfless members of staff. It’s always a blessing to be honored for good work, especially from people you do not know”.

Since its inception, Chozen Generation Sierra Leone has created an avenue for young and emerging leaders like Asmaa James to hone their leadership skills and impact fellow youths based on the promotion of solid moral values and principles as a core requirement for effective leadership.

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What Is ‘Black Tuesday’ in Sierra Leone

A Black Tuesday community engagement with local partners in Sierra Leone

‘’Black Tuesday’’ is an initiative launched by the Asmaa James Foundation in Sierra Leone to raise awareness on issues of violence against women with a focus on rape and sexual penetration.

The Asmaa James Foundation is a girls and women’s health advocacy organization founded by Sierra Leonean journalist Asmaa James.

Every morning as lead anchor on Radio Democracy 98.1 ’Gud Mohnin Salone’, Asmaa James ensures that any news of sexual assault takes center stage. Last year she noticed that the more she reported on the cases, the more incidents were reported. Frustrated and infuriated by the stories of pain and grief Mrs. James took action.

In December 2018,  Mrs. James visited a 5 year old victim of sodomy at the Aberdeen Women’s Center. The attack one her was so severe it left the girl paralyzed in a fistula ward. Moved by what she witnessed Mrs. James took launched the Black Tuesday Campaign.

Thirty CBOs, associations, and NGOs organized a massive demonstration across the capital city of Freetown. Online and offline Sierra Leoneans wore black in solidarity with victims of sexual violence and to sound the alarm for national action.

Today the Black Tuesday campaign has gone to Mile 91 and in Bo. The campaign has reached over 800 women and girls.

The campaign works in partnership with the Family Support Unit (FSU) at the Sierra Leone Police, Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Rainbo Initiative and L.A.W.Y.E.R.S.

At each community meeting BT partners cover various topics including but not limited to negative perceptions, and myths about reproductive health, sex, a sexual violence.

The Asmaa James Foundation will continue to work with its partners and supporters to spread awareness, tips, and lessons on how girls and women can combat abuse.

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Asmaa James, Girl Champion.

Meet Asmaa James – A woman who is using her voice and media platform to smash the culture of rape in Sierra Leone.

Over 2,500 rape cases involving minors as victims were reported in Sierra Leone in 2018, and this number is increasing. Even with this high figure, a huge number of rape cases are unreported. The country is still shocked by the recent case of a 5 years old girl who was sexually assaulted by a 28 year old man. This little girl will apparently never walk again as a result of a spinal cord eruption caused by this man’s inhumane act.

The story of this 5 year old girl and many more incidents of Gender Based Violence and Sexual Abuse spurred the interest of Asmaa James – a renowned media personality – to take concrete actions towards addressing the culture of rape in Sierra Leone.

“I was just minding my business as a Station Manager of Radio Democracy when I kept receiving tons of report from girls and their parents about rape. Most of these cases came to my knowledge when victims were not believed and some cases were at a point of being compromised by family members. I will continue to raise my voice and provide a platform for robust sensitisation, and also partner with others to fight this menace. ”

Asmaa launched the Black Tuesday Campaign that encourages Sierra Leoneans to wear black every Tuesday in protest against sexual violence. This campaign also encourages community dialogue by creating a platform for survivors to share their stories and demand concrete action from government. She believes it is time for Sierra Leoneans to break the silence and take action. “If not now, then when?” She said. “We can no longer watch in silence.”

QUICK FACT
Sex without consent is rape! According to police report, 8,505 rape cases were reported in 2018, and 2,579 of those victims were minors.

The notion that what a girl or a woman wears can provoke a man to rape her is totally wrong, because no type of clothing is an invitation to sex or a suggestion of consent.

No means No, and children below the age of 18 cannot give legal consent.

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