From silence to strength: How U-Report helped Abibatu find her voice and lead change

Abibatu never imagined herself standing before a crowd, her voice steady and her words filled with purpose. For much of her life, she blended into the background, quiet, hesitant, and unsure of her place in the world.

“I used to keep everything to myself,” she reflects. “I was focused on school and helping at home, but I never believed my opinion mattered.”

Growing up in Sierra Leone, her days followed a predictable rhythm: school, household chores, and silence. Like many girls her age, she stayed within the boundaries set by tradition and expectation. Her world felt small, her voice stifled. But then came U-Report—a program that would alter the course of her life.

U-Report, a digital platform spearheaded by UNICEF, empowers young people across Sierra Leone. With a team of field officers and a program coordinator, the Peace Building Programme, in collaboration with UNDP, reaches youth in communities like Kono, Kenema, Makeni, Port Loko, and Freetown. Through outreach, dialogue meetings, and radio discussions, U-Report invites young people to join a movement where every voice matters.

Participation is simple and free. By sending “JOIN” to 2080 on Orange or Africell networks, youth gain access to information and opportunities to engage in conversations about critical social issues.

Abibatu first encountered U-Report through a session led by Upshifters, youth ambassadors dedicated to spreading awareness. Yet, even as she listened, doubt gripped her. “I didn’t think I belonged there,” she admits. “I was scared to join.”

But curiosity tugged at her, and with a leap of faith, she signed up. That small decision became the first step in a transformation she never thought possible.

Before joining the U-Report club in her school, Abibatu shied away from attention. The idea of speaking in public filled her with dread. But the program’s training sessions, discussions, and mentorship began to chip away at her fear.

“I learned to speak up, to express myself without fear,” she says. “I realized that my voice matters, and what I have to say is important.”

Abibatu began to step out of the shadows. She started contributing to dialogue meetings and awareness programs, her confidence growing with each word she spoke. No longer the shy girl in the back of the room, she became a force of change, advocating for issues that mattered to her—education, self-esteem, and the challenges girls face in her community.

Today, Abibatu stands tall as a school prefect and the Minister of Education in her student government. Her rise from silence to leadership has inspired not only her peers but also the adults in her community.

“I couldn’t have become a school prefect if I wasn’t bold,” she says, her pride unmistakable. “I now have authority, and my classmates look up to me.”

Her leadership extends beyond her school. Abibatu participates in programs tackling issues like drug abuse affecting peace in communities and youth empowerment. She speaks at events, engages in community discussions, and interacts with decision-makers who visit her school.

“Before, I felt invisible. But now, I feel heard and seen,” she says, her words carrying the weight of her journey. 

Abibatu’s story is a testament to the transformative power of finding one’s voice. She knows there are countless girls like her—brimming with potential but held back by fear and a lack of support.

“There are a lot of opportunities out there,” she says. “But if you’re too shy or afraid to speak up, you’ll miss them. You have to show your zest, your willingness to be part of something bigger.”

Through U-Report, Abibatu has become a role model, a beacon of possibility for her community. She is living proof that even the quietest voices can inspire change when given the platform to be heard.

“U-Report gave me confidence,” she says. “It gave me the space to speak, and now I want to encourage other girls to do the same. When you speak up, you become empowered. You realize you are not limited.”

With each word she shares, Abibatu breaks barriers—not just for herself, but for every girl who dreams of stepping out of the shadows. Her voice, once quiet, now resonates with power and purpose.