2009 Press Releases

First Lady Sia Koroma to Attend First Ladies Health Summit in California

15 April 09
US Embassy Freetown
Contact: PAO Danna Van Brandt
Tel: 076-515-000 ext 5350

The United States Embassy is pleased to announce that First Lady of Sierra Leone Sia Nyama Koroma will attend the African First Ladies Health Summit April 20-21 in Santa Monica, California, USA.  Sponsored by the African Synergy Board, the Summit will introduce domestic and region-wide efforts across Africa to make a difference in the area of HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, and education.

With over 20 African First Ladies in attendance, the summit will feature addresses by British First Lady Sarah Brown and Melanne Verveer, President Obama’s nominee for United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues.   Secretary of State Hilary Clinton is expected to present a statement as well. The Summit will honor leaders in health, development, and girls’ education.

First Lady Sia Nyama Koroma, with a strong background in health and sciences, will present a paper at the Summit in addition to participating in discussions with influential women from around the Continent and the World.  Sia Nyama Koroma has demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring that the women and children of Sierra Leone enjoy the health care, education, and opportunities they deserve.

First Lady Koroma has commissioned the Women’s Initiative for Safer Health (WISH) Framework to ensure that no women must face the dangers of childbirth without proper care.  In addition, she has worked to enhance the welfare of women, working towards a fair and equitable society where women can achieve high offices in the public and private sectors.

The United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone, June Carter Perry, has been a strong supporter of women’s health issues, and has encouraged the First Lady’s endeavors.  To that end, the Ambassador enthusiastically pursued the First Lady’s participation in this Summit.  The Embassy believes that the First Lady’s participation will be a great step forward in obtaining global recognition of the plight of Sierra Leonean women.