Zainab Sheriff Excludes Fatima Bio From Her Female Presidency Campaign
By VOS Writer
As Sierra Leone faces growing calls for inclusive and transformative leadership, prominent entertainer and activist Zainab Sheriff has officially launched the “Wi Duti” movement—an advocacy platform championing the election of the country’s first female president.
The movement aims to galvanize public support, particularly among young people and women, to break the long-standing gender barrier in Sierra Leone’s political leadership.
However, Zainab Sheriff has made it clear that not all women are suitable for the presidency, explicitly ruling out current First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, from her vision of potential female leadership.
Sheriff criticized the First Lady for what she described as a lack of responsible leadership, citing her wedding during a national epidemic as a particularly troubling decision. Sheriff characterized the act as “irresponsible,” suggesting it showed a disconnect from the realities facing ordinary citizens during that crisis.
“We are pushing for competent, ethical, and people-centered women to lead,” Sheriff said. “But leadership is about integrity and timing—something that was clearly missing in that situation.”
The Wi Duti initiative, which translates to “Our Duty” in Krio, seeks to challenge the patriarchal norms that have long dominated Sierra Leonean politics and inspire a new generation of capable female leaders.
This bold stance from Zainab Sheriff has sparked widespread discussion, especially across social media, with some praising her courage and others questioning the exclusion of women already in high office.
Still, Sheriff insists that feminist advocacy must be rooted in accountability and values, not just gender representation.
