Sierra Leonean anti-female genital mutilation activist, Alimatu Yagbessay Dimonekene has been honoured with “Most Excellent Order of the British Empire” and “Order of the British Empire” awards in the 2023 King’s New Years Honours list. The King’s New Year’s Honours list recognizes the outstanding achievements of people across the United Kingdom. Dimonekene (OBE) is awarded for her services to the prevention of violence against women and girls in Sierra Leone. She is a great voice for women, youth, and minority groups at local and international levels, and her advocacy calls for equality and inclusion.
The award-winning human rights activist is the founder of A Girl At A Time Sierra Leone, an Ambassador for Better Lives Foundation, and has represented the United Kingdom/Sierra Leone in the international arena at various summits like the UN Commission on the Status of Women, CanWASH Beyond 2030, Canada and African Union End Child Marriage Summit, Zambia UNFPA/UNICEF End Female Genital Mutilation, Zambia and the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) States Women’s Forum.
