Freetown, 29th September, 2026 – The Girls Advocacy Development Network (GADNet‑SL), in partnership with the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, UNICEF, the Government of Iceland and other development partners, has officially launched the 7th National Girls Summit 2026.
The launch, held on Friday, September 18 at the Ministry’s Conference Room on Big Waterloo Street, sets the stage for the main summit scheduled for October 13–17 in Kenema District.
This year’s summit carries the theme “Our Power in Action: Protecting Our Future” and seeks to place girls at the center of national development. It will provide a platform for young people to lead conversations around rights, leadership, participation, and protection.
Executive Director of GADNet‑SL, Samesther Hannah Dolly Kargbo, emphasized the youth‑led nature of the 2026 summit. “What distinguishes this year’s summit is its youth‑driven approach, with young people, including past delegates, steering the entire process,” she said.
Representing the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Assistant Director Laura Koroma described the event as more than a summit, calling it a national call to action. “A girl is not a promise for tomorrow, a girl is today. When a girl is protected and given a voice, Sierra Leone is given a vision,” she declared, reaffirming the Ministry’s mandate to keep girls’ protection at the heart of the national agenda.
Supported by UNICEF, the Government of Iceland, civil society organizations, and other partners, the 2026 Summit will convene girls and young people from across Sierra Leone alongside government officials, development partners, civil society, the private sector, and the media. The gathering aims to develop actionable solutions to advance girls’ empowerment and protection nationwide.
