United Team Sierra Leone - U Team SL

01/08/2026

HAPPY NEW MONTH

To our amazing U Team SL community, followers, members, and to the entire nation 🇸🇱

As we step into August, U Team SL remains committed to youth and women empowerment, leadership and mentorship, and nation building.

Let’s keep serving our communities together.
May August bring peace, progress, and sustained purpose.

Here’s to a month of impact, growth, and opportunities.

We Are Stronger Together.

Contact Information:
1. Website: https://uteamsl.org/
2. Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
3. Mobile: +23278522943 / +23276661304 / +23277263317

25/07/2026

Recap…………………2024
As part of the 2024 IWD commemoration, UNFPA Sierra Leone joined the United Team Sierra Leone (U Team SL), formerly known as the United Team of Pujehun (UN -TEAM), an organization led by young women, to launch the Pujehun Girls’ Parliament (Girls Parliament Sierra Leone) — a mock parliament of 14 adolescent representatives from all 14 chiefdoms of the district.

Through the Innovation Challenge, UNFPA and the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sierra Leone are supporting girls and young women to lead action to end child marriage and reduce teenage pregnancy in Pujehun District.

The U Team SL Girls’ Parliament exists to amplify girls' voices, build leadership through debates and policy sessions, advocate for better policies on education, health and protection, connect girls with mentors and role models across Sierra Leone and beyond, and turn ideas into community projects that create real impact.

The goal is clear - empower girls to advocate for their rights, influence policy, and create a safer future for girls in Pujehun District. The future is female, and it’s already leading. We Are Stronger Together
First Lady Fatima Maada Bio
Office of the Attorney General & Minister of Justice Sierra Leone
Julius Maada Bio 2018
European Union in Sierra Leone
UNDP in Sierra Leone
UNFPA
Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation

17/07/2026

What an incredible full-circle moment✨
United Team Sierra Leone - U Team SL, we share UNICEF’s spirit of mentorship. Through the Girls’ Parliament and our youth programs, we’re investing in children today so they can lead tomorrow. Every child deserves the chance to survive, thrive, and reach their full potential.

What a powerful reminder that mentorship plants seeds for the future.
At U Team SL, we believe the same that every child deserves someone to believe in them. Through our Girls’ Parliament and other youth development initiatives, we’ve adopted mentorship to guide, protect, and amplify the voices of children and young people across Sierra Leone.

Just like Leo Messi and Lamine Yamal, we’re committed to a future where every child survives, thrives, and fulfills their potential.

This story shows how one moment of care can inspire a lifetime of impact.
In Sierra Leone, U Team SL is doing our part creating safe spaces where children ; especially girls are heard, guided, and empowered.
Together for every child. We Are Stronger Together.

Yes, those photos you’ve seen are real.

More than 18 years ago, a baby named Lamine Yamal and his mom Sheila met Lionel Messi at a UNICEF fundraising photoshoot.

Today, their achievements on the pitch inspire millions. Off the pitch, both Messi and Lamine Yamal use their voices and platforms as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors to support and advocate for children around the world.

The goal? That every child survives, thrives, and fulfils their potential.

We are proud to have them on our team.

Credit: Joan Monfort

28/06/2026

U Team SL Commends the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice for First Prosecution Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024

The Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice has charged Sayo Marrah, Lansana Qura, Salieu Kamara, and Abu Bakarr Kamara with three offences under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024: Contracting Marriage with a Child, Consenting to Child Marriage, and Aiding and Abetting Child Marriage, contrary to sections 2, 3, and 10 of the Act, respectively.

Sayo Marrah is alleged to have contracted a marriage with a child, an act expressly prohibited by the 2024 Act. Salieu Kamara, the child’s father, is alleged to have consented to the marriage and participated in the marriage ceremony.

Lansana Qura and Abu Bakarr Kamara are alleged to have facilitated the marriage between Marrah and the child and to have played active roles during the ceremony, ensuring that the marriage was successfully conducted.

The charges represent a significant milestone in the enforcement of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024, marking the first prosecution for offences related to contracting, consenting to, and facilitating child marriage since the Act came into force.

28/06/2026

U Team SL Commends the Office of the Attorney General & Minister of Justice Sierra Leone for First Prosecution Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024

28/06/2026

U Team SL Commends the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice for First Prosecution Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024

United Team Sierra Leone (U Team SL) commends the Office of the Attorney General & Minister of Justice Sierra Leone for taking decisive action to enforce the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024.

The Office has charged four men — Sayo Marrah, Lansana Qura, Salieu Kamara, and Abu Bakarr Kamara — with three offences under the Act: Contracting a Child Marriage, Consenting to Child Marriage, and Aiding and Abetting Child Marriage, contrary to Sections 2, 3, and 10 respectively.

According to the charges, Marrah is alleged to have contracted a marriage with a child. Salieu Kamara, the child’s father, is alleged to have consented to the marriage and participated in the ceremony. Lansana Qura and Abu Bakarr Kamara are alleged to have facilitated the marriage and played active roles to ensure it was conducted.

This marks the first prosecution for offences related to contracting, consenting to, and facilitating child marriage since the Act came into force. For United Team Sierra Leone (U Team SL) and girls in Pujehun District and across the country, it is more than a court case. It is proof that the law is no longer just words on paper.

“As young women, we are not just beneficiaries of protection. We are builders of a Sierra Leone where girls can be safe, in school, and free to lead,” said Michaella Hawa Jah, Speaker of the Girls Parliament Sierra Leone, Pujehun District “Today’s charges send a clear message: child marriage has consequences, and the law will be enforced.”

United Team Sierra Leone (U Team SL), a member of the Young Women Leading Change Innovation Challenge with support from UNFPA Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sierra Leone, has been championing the reduction of teenage pregnancy, child marriage, and other offences against girls in Pujehun District.

Central to this work is the Girls’ Parliament, established by U Team SL with support from UNFPA and the Ministry of Youth Affairs on 8th March 2024. The Girls’ Parliament, a mock parliament, creates a structured platform for adolescent girls to understand their rights, monitor teenage pregnancy and child marriage risks in their communities, speak directly to duty-bearers, and advocate for enforcement of laws that protect them.

To strengthen protection at the community level, U Team SL is providing additional support to the Girls’ Parliament through free legal services that commenced in February 2025. The initiative continues to provide help for victims in Pujehun District and is designed to “better support victims of crime in the areas of r**e, teenage pregnancy and serious sexual offences in the district.”

The legal support team consists of five full-time lawyers, accompanied by the necessary support for their organization.

“U Team SL Pujehun is determined to ensure that ending violence against women and girls is treated with the utmost urgency by both law enforcement agencies and society as a whole,” U Team SL stated. “We call on all and sundry to help sustain this offer in order to end teenage pregnancy, child marriage, r**e and serious sexual offences in Pujehun District and beyond.”

Through the Girls’ Parliament and now with direct legal aid, young women are moving beyond token inclusion. They are tracking cases, raising community awareness on the 2024 Act, accompanying survivors to seek justice, and demanding accountability from families, traditional leaders, and institutions. This prosecution validates their advocacy and shows that when girls lead and are supported, systems respond.

United Team Sierra Leone (U Team SL) commends the Government of Sierra Leone and continues to call on:
1. The Judiciary to ensure a timely, fair, and survivor-centered trial process.
2. Law Enforcement, Traditional Leaders, and Communities to partner with the Girls’ Parliament and legal aid team for continued sensitization, so no one can claim ignorance of the law.
3. Development Partners, Civil Society, and the Public to support and scale the free legal service and the Girls’ Parliament model across Sierra Leone.

The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024 gives Sierra Leone the legal framework to end this harmful practice. Today’s action, combined with the leadership of the Girls’ Parliament and access to legal support, shows we have the will and the people to use it. U Team SL is committed and will continue to work with the Government of Sierra Leone and partners to ensure girls are protected at all levels of developments across Sierra Leone.

We Are Stronger Together.

U Team SL Contact:
MOBILE: +23278522943 / +23276661304 / +23277263317
E-MAIL: [email protected] / [email protected]
WEBSITE: https//uteamsl.org

First Lady Fatima Maada Bio
Office of the Vice President, Sierra Leone
Julius Maada Bio 2018
UNICEF Sierra Leone
European Union in Sierra Leone
UNDP in Sierra Leone

28/06/2026

United Team SL Representative Joins Youth Voices at Peacebuilding Fund @20 Commemoration in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone marked two decades of peacebuilding with a renewed call for young women to lead, as U Team SL Representative Zainab J Massaquoi joined other youth groups at the “Peacebuilding Week and the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund at 20” commemoration.

Hosted at the invitation of UNFPA Sierra Leone, the event was held on 26 June 2026 at the New Brookfield Hotel under the theme: “Training Young Women in Shaping Peace in Sierra Leone.”

The commemoration brought together government representatives, youth leaders, women-led organizations, civil society groups, and development partners. The focus was clear: assess peacebuilding progress in Sierra Leone and strengthen the role of young women in sustaining peace and national development.

Discussions centered on amplifying young women’s voices, ensuring their active participation in decision-making, and creating pathways for them to assume leadership positions at both community and national levels.

Participants contributed to the dialogue on how young women can step into leadership and become agents of positive change. A key message was the need to move beyond token inclusion and build real structures that empower young women to drive peace initiatives across the country.

“As young women, we are not just beneficiaries of peace. We are builders of it,” participants emphasized during the session.

The programme provided a valuable space for learning, networking, and sharing experiences on promoting peace and empowering women and girls. Participants agreed that sustaining peace requires continuous advocacy for women’s participation in leadership, policy, and community-level peacebuilding efforts throughout Sierra Leone.

The UN Peacebuilding Fund’s 20th anniversary comes at a critical time as Sierra Leone looks ahead to 2028 and beyond, with youth and women expected to play a central role in maintaining stability and fostering inclusive development.

The Young Women Leading Change Innovation Challenge brings together youth groups advancing gender equality, leadership, and peace in Sierra Leone, with support from partners including UNFPA and the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sierra Leone.

U Team SL is a member of the Challenge, championing the reduction of teenage pregnancy, child marriage, and other offenses against girls in Pujehun District.

We Are Stronger Together.

28/06/2026

Belated happy birthday Madam Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah. Minister of The Ministry of Youth and Sports Liberia.

On the occasion of your birthday, U Team SL is proud to celebrate you.

We appreciate your leadership as Minister of Youth and Sports, and we honor your unwavering support, contribution, and dedication to youth empowerment and sports development in Liberia and across the Mano River Union/subregion.

May this new year bring you wisdom, renewed vision, good health, and strength to keep leading with excellence. We pray that God supplies all your needs according to His riches in glory.

Happy Birthday, Madam Minister!

With admiration and respect,
The General Membership of U Team SL
Freetown, Sierra Leone | June 27, 2026

21/06/2026

Happy Father’s Day To All U Team SL Fathers 🇸🇱💙

Today we honor every dad and father-figure in United Team Sierra Leone (U Team SL).

Thank you for your strength, sacrifice, and responsibility. For the way you lead at home and represent with pride on and off the field. The discipline, love, and dignity you pour into your families is building Sierra Leone’s future.

United in purpose.
United in fatherhood.
We Are Stronger Together

10/05/2026

Hon. Mariama M. Zombo Celebrated on Mother’s Day as She Strengthens Girls’ Parliament in Pujehun District

On May 5th, 2026, Hon. Mariama Konneh Zombo, President of the Girls Parliament Sierra Leone in Pujehun District, held a fruitful engagement with members of the parliament, donating resources to facilitate their ongoing activities.

This initiative underscores her commitment to empowering young women and sustaining the legacy of the Young Women Leading Change Innovation Challenge Initiative.

The Girls’ Parliament in Pujehun District was established on May 8th 2024 by the United Team Sierra Leone - U Team SL with support from UNFPA Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sierra Leone.

Its primary mission is to combat teenage pregnancy, child marriage, and other sexual offenses against girls in Pujehun and beyond. By providing a platform for young women to voice their concerns and advocate for change, the parliament serves as a mock parliament and safe space; a sustainable structure of hope and leadership in the fight against gender-based challenges.

Hon. Zombo has emerged as a dynamic leader, championing the rights of girls and young women in her district and beyond. As President of the Girls’ Parliament, she has prioritized advocacy, mentorship, and community engagement.

Her recent donation reflects not only her dedication to the cause but also her vision of a society where girls are protected, educated, and empowered to lead.

U Team SL as a youth-driven organization is committed to fostering leadership, innovation, and social change across Sierra Leone. Through its partnership with UNFPA and the Ministry of Youth Affairs on the establishment of the Girls’ Parliament, the organization has played a pivotal role in creating platforms where young women are not only heard but also equipped with the tools to influence policy and drive community transformation.

The Girls’ Parliament continues to grow as a vital primary structure for U Team SL in Pujehun District. With the support of Hon. Mariama M. Zombo, U Team SL, UNFPA, Ministry of Youth Affairs and international partners, the parliament is poised to expand its reach, intensify its advocacy, and strengthen its fight against harmful practices affecting girls. This collaboration highlights the power of youth leadership in shaping a safer, more equitable future for Sierra Leone.

On this Mother’s Day, Hon. Mariama M. Zombo is celebrated not only as a leader but also as a mother figure to countless girls who look up to her for guidance and inspiration. Her nurturing spirit, resilience, and unwavering commitment to protecting and empowering young women embody the true essence of motherhood.

Happy Mother’s Day to Hon. Mariama M. Zombo and all women across the globe. May their legacy continue to inspire generations of girls across Sierra Leone and beyond.

First Lady Fatima Maada Bio
Julius Maada Bio 2018
Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation
Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project
Felei TechCity
U Team SL