The Girls Advocacy Development Network (GADNet) has officially launched the 7th National Girls Summit, scheduled for October 13–17, 2026, at the Pastoral Centre in Kenema City, under the theme: “Our Power in Action, Protecting Our Future.”

The launch was held at the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs in Freetown on Friday, September 18, 2026, bringing together Government representatives, development partners, Civil Society Organisations and young people.

Speaking at the launch, GADNet Executive Director ,Hannah Kargbo, said this year’s summit would go beyond being a five-day gathering, describing it as the next stage of a process shaped by the voices, ideas and leadership of girls and young people across Sierra Leone. She said the summit had been informed by the Girls Call to Action developed during previous editions, including last year’s summit in Makeni.

According to Hannah Kargbo, the National Girls Summit has, since its first edition in 2020, provided a national platform for girls and young people to learn, speak about issues affecting them, lead discussions and develop solutions. She cited the passage of the Child Marriage Act and the development of the Sierra Leone Accelerated Action for the Health and Well-being of Adolescents and Young People as some of the outcomes linked to the advocacy generated through the platform.

She explained that activities leading up to the main summit would include an advocacy football match, youth-led media advocacy engagements in five districts, Port Loko, Kambia, Moyamba, Bonthe and Western Area Rural and a “Girls Take Over” activity.

The “Girls Take Over” initiative, she said, would allow selected girls to temporarily take on leadership roles, including the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations and positions within a Government Ministry. She added that a walk for the National Girls Summit would also be held as part of the pre-summit activities.

Hannah Kargbo said the main summit is expected to bring together 500 participants between the ages of 15 and 26 from all 16 districts. She said 350 of the participants would be girls and young women, while 150 would be boys and young men, with spaces also provided for young people living with disabilities.

She explained that the participation of boys and young men was deliberate because efforts to end Gender-Based Violence and create safer communities require their involvement.

The summit programme will cover leadership, advocacy and protection; economic empowerment and financial literacy; and innovation and digital empowerment, including discussions around technology and artificial intelligence.

Assistant Director at the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Laura Koroma, said the theme is a call to action for Government, development partners, communities, traditional and religious leaders to recognize and invest in the potential of girls.

“A girl is not a promise for tomorrow. A girl is a power today,” Laura Koroma said.

She said the Ministry’s mandate is to create an enabling environment where women and girls could live with dignity, exercise their rights, access opportunities, participate in decision-making and contribute to national development.

Laura Koroma noted that Sierra Leone has made progress through laws and policies aimed at protecting and empowering women and girls, including the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act 2022, the Child Rights Act, the Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Offences Act.

She also highlighted the Spotlight Initiative 2.0, a partnership involving the Government of Sierra Leone, the European Union and the United Nations, aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls.

Ambassador of Iceland to Sierra Leone, Ásdís Bjarnadóttir, said gender equality and women's empowerment are central to Iceland's foreign policy and development cooperation.

She said Iceland is proud to partner with GADNet, the Ministry of Gender and other organisations working to empower girls and young people.

Ásdís Bjarnadóttir commended Sierra Leone for its policy and legal framework on gender equality and said collective action is necessary because no single organisation could achieve the desired change alone.

She also called for the issues raised by girls at previous summits to move beyond discussions and result in concrete action.

Speaking on behalf of girls and young people, Princess Panda called on stakeholders to increase investment in girls' leadership, protection, education and economic opportunities.

She said girls want meaningful roles in designing, implementing and evaluating programmes and decisions affecting their lives.

Princess Panda also called for stronger protection against harmful practices, including legislation to criminalize and end female genital mutilation, as well as properly functioning safe homes, safe spaces and one-stop centres accessible to girls in rural communities and those living with disabilities.

She further called for increased access to scholarships, learning opportunities and menstrual health support, including affordable and sustainable menstrual products and adequate water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.

Princess Panda also urged stakeholders to ensure that existing laws protecting girls are implemented and explained to girls and communities in simple language.

David Sandy, who spoke on the role of boys and men, said their inclusion in the National Girls Summit is significant, particularly in addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and harmful practices such as FGM.

He said boys and men have a responsibility to protect women and girls, noting that their role had evolved from being delegates at previous summits to participating in the planning committee and serving as HeForShe ambassadors.

David Sandy thanked GADNet for creating a platform for boys and young men to contribute to efforts aimed at protecting girls and promoting gender equality.

The 7th National Girls Summit will take place from October 13 to 17 in Kenema City, bringing together young people and stakeholders to discuss leadership, economic empowerment, innovation and digital participation. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/64634