Madam Hawa Sally Samai, the Executive Secretary of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), represented Sierra Leone at the Global Power Women Forum London 2026. This high-level international gathering, held across London and Cambridge, brought together senior women leaders, policymakers, investors, and development partners from over 40 countries. The Global Power Women Forum London 2026 focused on advancing women’s leadership in governance, investment, and sustainable development. It also aimed to promote inclusive growth and institutional reform among participants, fostering an environment for collaborative progress. The forum served as a significant platform for global dialogue on critical issues facing women in leadership roles worldwide.
Nation's Peacebuilding Experience Shared
Madam Hawa Sally Samai shared Sierra Leone’s experiences in peacebuilding, governance, and national cohesion at the Global Power Women Forum. She stressed that lasting peace is not simply the absence of conflict but a system built on trust, justice, and strong institutions capable of supporting recovery, economic growth, and investment. Sierra Leone’s civil war, a period of immense challenge for the nation, profoundly disrupted trade networks, weakened institutions, and eroded social trust among its citizens. In her address, Madam Samai showed the critical importance of sustained efforts in this area. Continued peacebuilding initiatives remain essential to restoring stability, rebuilding investor confidence, and creating the conditions necessary for long-term national development. She elaborated on the strategies and challenges encountered by Sierra Leone in its journey toward reconciliation and stability, noting the lessons learned that could benefit other post-conflict societies. Her insights provided a valuable case study for participants interested in practical approaches to national healing and development.
Women as Pillars of Progress
Women have consistently played vital roles in mediation, community engagement, and governance within Sierra Leone. Their active participation is seen as integral to the country's stability and development, contributing significantly to social cohesion and economic recovery. Empowering women is considered not only an issue of inclusion but also a strategic approach to strengthening economic resilience, institutional capacity, and social cohesion. This perspective emphasizes the broader benefits of gender equality beyond social justice, framing it as a fundamental component of national progress. Madam Hawa Sally Samai’s contribution at the Global Power Women Forum London 2026 aligns with broader national efforts to position peace as a foundation for economic growth and social progress, particularly in post-conflict societies. These efforts show the government's commitment to leveraging the capabilities of all citizens, especially women, in the ongoing nation-building process. The forum provided an invaluable opportunity to share these insights with an international audience and to learn from the diverse experiences of counterparts from around the globe. This exchange of knowledge is key for developing more effective and inclusive policies.
Global Partnerships for Development
The Global Power Women Forum London 2026 provided opportunities for engagement with various global stakeholders. These stakeholders are committed to advancing gender equality, expanding leadership opportunities for women, and building partnerships that support socio-economic transformation. The forum specifically aimed to facilitate the creation of partnerships designed to support socio-economic transformation, recognizing that collective action is essential for achieving significant progress. Participants engaged in discussions and networking sessions focused on fostering collaboration to achieve these objectives. The event served as a platform for forming alliances dedicated to empowering women and driving developmental changes worldwide. These partnerships are expected to translate into concrete initiatives and projects that will further the cause of women's leadership and sustainable development in the coming years. The connections forged at the forum are anticipated to have a lasting impact on global efforts to achieve gender parity and inclusive growth.
