In a groundbreaking move to honor International Women’s Day 2025, Africell Sierra Leone granted all its female employees a special day off on Friday, March 7, 2025, allowing male employees to step into their roles for the day. This unprecedented initiative offered a unique opportunity for male staff to experience firsthand the vital contributions of their female colleagues in the workplace.
The initiative aligns with Africell’s commitment to gender equality and empowerment, sending a clear message that women’s contributions in the workforce are indispensable and deserve recognition. This event was part of the company’s broader celebration of International Women’s Day, which took place on March 6, 2025, under the theme “Accelerating Gender Equality in the Workplace and Beyond.”
Africell’s Chief Executive Officer, Shadi Al-Gerjawi, emphasized that this initiative was more than just symbolic. He explained that it was designed to allow male employees to better understand the efforts and dedication of their female colleagues. “This will be a challenge for the male employees, but it is also an opportunity for them to value the work of our female staff. Women play an irreplaceable role in the success of this company, and today, we want to honor and appreciate that,” said Shadi Al-Gerjawi.
The company’s dedication to gender equality is evident in its operations, with women leading its four strategic pillars: Voice and Data, Enterprise Business Unit, Financial Services and Digital, he revealed. Furthermore, Africell has been investing in leadership training programs for women and has surpassed the government’s 30% threshold for female representation in key decision-making roles, the CEO furthered.
Male employees across all departments assumed the roles of their female colleagues, gaining new insights into their daily responsibilities. For John Konteh, Afrimoney’s Marketing Manager, the experience was an eye-opener. “I now understand the level of dedication and patience our female colleagues bring to their roles. Women are strong, resilient, and essential to our company’s growth,” he shared.
Similarly, Joe Abass Bangura, Africell’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, highlighted his personal commitment to gender equality. As a father of three daughters, he emphasized that women should be given equal opportunities, particularly in leadership roles. “At Africell, we are intentional about empowering women. We have policies in place that promote women to leadership positions, and we are proud that our most recent Director appointment was a woman,” Bangura stated.
In addition to this initiative, Africell also hosted a grand celebration at its headquarters on March 6, 2025, bringing together influential women from across Sierra Leone, as well as representatives from UN Women, UNDP and the ILO. The celebration aimed to recognize and inspire the next generation of female leaders, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Keynote Speaker, Madam Salima Monorma Bah, Minister of Communication, Technology, and Innovation (MoCTI), praised Africell for its efforts in empowering women in male-dominated industries. She emphasized Africell’s role as a leading example of gender-inclusive corporate policies and highlighted its collaboration with the Ministry on initiatives like “Careers in STEM,” which aim to encourage young girls to pursue careers in science and technology.
Africell’s CEO also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to gender equality, noting that all four of Africell’s operational pillars have been led by women for the past three years. Shadi Al-Gerjawi also announced that, for International Women’s Day 2025, the company had granted female employees a full day off, with male employees stepping in to fulfill their duties.
“Africell’s commitment to gender equality goes beyond words,” Shadi Al-Gerjawi declared. “We are not only taking action to support women in the workplace, but we are also leading by example.”
A highlight of the celebration was an engaging panel discussion on “Women Empowerment in the Workplace: Breaking Barriers in STEM and Beyond,” featuring female leaders, who shared their experiences and strategies for overcoming gender biases in the corporate world.
Africell also honored its outstanding female employees with the “Woman of the Year” award, recognizing their leadership and impact across various departments. The company further energized the event with a raffle, where ten lucky female employees won prizes.
The company’s International Women’s Day 2025 celebration reinforced the message that gender equality is not just a goal, but a necessity for sustainable development and progress. Africell continues to lead by example, urging other corporate institutions to foster an inclusive environment where women are empowered to thrive.
Shadi Al-Gerjawi’s message was clear: “This is not just about Africell; it is about setting an example for corporate Sierra Leone and beyond. Gender equality is a necessity for progress and sustainable development.”