As we celebrate International Women's Day on March 8th, we emphasize the urgent need for collective action to achieve gender equality.

This is important as a moral imperative and essential for fostering prosperous economies.  This also ensures a sustainable future for generations to come.

Martha, a beneficiary of Develop Africa, expresses the transformative power of education for girls in her own words in this video.

Hello, my name is Martha, I’m a beneficiary of Develop Africa. Over the past ten years, I’ve been awarded school support, which has helped me towards my education; providing me with school fees, and school materials.  Develop Africa has been helping vulnerable children, they have been going the extra mile, taking risks to give us an education and providing us with school with fees and school materials. They are doing it for us to get a better education at the end of the day and not be left out in society.

The theme this year is all about the girl child and women should not be left out.  I want to give advice to women and girl child in our society today. Listen to me, take a step, do not sit down and relax, you need to do something to earn a living, which Develop Africa is helping do for us.  

I want to say a very big thank you to donors and people who are supporting us. I want to assure them that we are taken care of, getting better education and a better life. At the end of the day, there's positive outcomes.  

Martha's advice to girls and women underscores the importance of taking proactive steps to pursue opportunities for self-sufficiency and empowerment. She expresses gratitude to donors and supporters for their contributions to Develop Africa's initiatives, which have positively impacted the lives of girls like herself.

The long-term impact of educating girls extends far beyond individual success; it serves as a cornerstone for societal progress. Educated women play vital roles in fostering health, well-being, and economic prosperity, making investments in girls' education essential for building thriving communities.

As we commemorate International Women's Day, let us join hands in supporting girls' education in Sierra Leone.