The Girls Advocacy Development Network (GADNet) officially launched the 7th National Girls Summit on Friday, September 18, 2026, at the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs in Freetown. This significant event marks the commencement of preparations for the upcoming summit, which is scheduled to take place from October 13–17, 2026, at the Pastoral Centre in Kenema City. The overarching theme for the upcoming event is “Our Power in Action, Protecting Our Future,” a call to action that shows the summit’s commitment to empowering young people and safeguarding their prospects.
Summit Details and Goals
The National Girls Summit has been an annual event since its first edition in 2020, consistently providing a key platform for the development and empowerment of girls and young women in Sierra Leone. This year’s 7th iteration continues this tradition, building on the successes of previous gatherings. Ahead of the main summit in Kenema City, a series of preparatory activities are scheduled to engage young people across various communities. These activities include an advocacy football match, designed to raise awareness and foster teamwork among participants. Youth-led media advocacy engagements are planned to take place across five specific districts: Port Loko, Kambia, Moyamba, Bonthe, and Western Area Rural. These engagements aim to amplify the voices of young people on critical issues through various media channels. Additionally, a "Girls Take Over" activity will be conducted as part of the lead-up events, providing young women with opportunities to assume leadership roles and experience decision-making processes.
The main summit itself is anticipated to host a substantial number of participants, with a target of 500 individuals expected to attend. These participants will represent a broad age range, specifically from 15 to 26 years old, ensuring a diverse mix of experiences and perspectives. Among the 500 participants, the organizers have ensured a strong focus on female representation, with 350 participants identified as girls and young women. The remaining 150 participants will be boys and young men, reflecting an inclusive approach that recognizes the importance of engaging all genders in discussions about youth development and gender equality. A key aspect of the summit's commitment to inclusivity is the confirmed allocation of specific spaces for young people living with disabilities, ensuring their full and meaningful participation in all activities. The summit programme is meticulously designed to cover key areas relevant to youth development and empowerment. These critical areas include leadership training, advocacy and protection strategies, economic empowerment and financial literacy workshops, and innovation and digital empowerment sessions, all aimed at equipping participants with essential skills for their future.
Context and Partnerships
Sierra Leone has made significant strides in establishing a strong legal and policy framework to support gender equality and child protection. This full framework includes several key legislative instruments designed to safeguard the rights and well-being of women and children across the country. Notable among these are the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act 2022, which aims to promote equal opportunities and rights for women; the Child Rights Act, focused on protecting the rights and welfare of children; the Domestic Violence Act, which addresses and seeks to prevent violence within domestic settings; and the Sexual Offences Act, specifically designed to combat sexual violence and ensure justice for victims. These legislative measures collectively form a strong foundation for addressing the challenges faced by girls and young women in Sierra Leone and show the government's commitment to upholding their rights.
Further support for these key initiatives comes from the Spotlight Initiative 2.0, a significant collaborative partnership that brings together key stakeholders. This partnership includes the Government of Sierra Leone, demonstrating national commitment; the European Union, providing vital international support; and the United Nations, leveraging its global expertise and resources. The Spotlight Initiative 2.0 is specifically focused on the critical mission of eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls, aligning perfectly with the protective goals of the National Girls Summit. Ambassador of Iceland to Sierra Leone, Ásdís Bjarnadóttir, noted her country's unwavering commitment to these efforts, stating, "gender equality and women’s empowerment are central to Iceland’s foreign policy and development cooperation." This statement reinforces the international backing for the summit's objectives.
The 7th National Girls Summit builds on the success of previous gatherings, with last year's event having been held in Makeni. The continuity of these annual summits shows an ongoing national commitment to empowering girls and young women, fostering their leadership capabilities, and addressing critical issues affecting their development and protection within Sierra Leone. The consistent staging of these events notes a sustained effort to create lasting positive change.
Voices and Expectations
The 7th National Girls Summit aims to significantly amplify the voices of young people across Sierra Leone, fostering a dynamic platform for dialogue and advocacy on critical issues that directly impact their lives and futures. Participants are expected to engage actively in discussions surrounding leadership development, strategies for protection against various forms of harm, pathways to economic empowerment, and the key skills of digital literacy, reflecting the summit's broad and full agenda. The event provides an invaluable opportunity for girls and young women, alongside their male counterparts, to articulate their perspectives on the challenges they face and to propose innovative solutions affecting their future well-being and progress.
With a strong focus on inclusivity, the summit in Kenema City will ensure representation from various backgrounds, including a dedicated effort to include young people living with disabilities. This full approach is designed to create a more complete and nuanced understanding of the diverse needs and aspirations within Sierra Leone's vibrant youth population. Organizers anticipate that the interactive sessions, workshops, and peer-to-peer interactions will equip attendees with practical skills and knowledge. These newly acquired capabilities are intended to enable them to become more effective agents of change within their communities, advocating for their rights and contributing to societal development. The outcomes of the summit are expected to contribute significantly to ongoing national efforts to empower youth and protect their rights, aligning smoothly with existing legal frameworks and strategic partnerships aimed at achieving gender equality and the elimination of violence against women and girls. The insights gained and the skills developed are poised to have a lasting impact on the participants and their communities.