In support of NDI’s commitment of strengthening young people’s impact, influence and leadership, we are highlighting the essential work of our youth-led partners. These leaders are fighting at the forefront for the inclusion of young people in decision-making processes and the elimination of barriers to political participation for young people in all their diversity.

With the help of local partners, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) is working throughout Sierra Leone to prepare women to overcome traditional barriers to their political participation and ensure their voices are heard in Parliament and the country’s local councils. These efforts extend across the expanse of Sierra Leone’s distinct regions, including the rural northern district of Koinadugu. For much of the district’s history, it was taboo for a woman to inherit or purchase land, rent a house in her own name, stand for a political position, or speak in meetings.

From 1965 to 1986, Ferdinand Marcos successfully perpetuated his kleptocratic dictatorship, including through the imposition of martial law (1972-1981) and election fraud. As his autocratic rule stretched from years into decades, political unrest and public outrage intensified with the country’s economic collapse in the 1980s, the systematic suppression of political rights, and the assassination of opposition leader Benigno Aquino, Jr. in 1983.   

Since 2021, NDI has championed young people’s civic and political participation through the Speak Youth to Power campaign. Under this campaign, NDI is working to increase young people’s impact, influence and leadership in decision-making spaces and engage a more diverse cohort of young leaders. Also, in 2021, President Biden hosted the first Summit for Democracy, which was an opportunity to shine a light on the barriers preventing young people in all their diversity from accessing and influencing decision-making spaces.