By Joan Nwagwu
The Initiative for Peace and Women’s Right in Africa (IPWR-A), a non-governmental organisation, has launched a continent-wide competition aimed at empowering young girls to drive community development initiatives across Africa.
Mrs Edidiong Idang, Founder of IPWR-A, announced the initiative on Thursday during the official inauguration of the competition platform in Abuja.
She explained that the challenge targeted young women aged 15 to 20, encouraging them to showcase their contributions to community development or propose innovative solutions for sustainable growth.
“Participants are invited to submit creative works that reflected their role in shaping their communities or offer visionary ideas for future development.
“The competition will conclude with an award ceremony on Oct. 11, 2025, in commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child,” she said.
She said the 2025 theme, “My Role in My Community: Girls Leading Change for a Sustainable Future,” aligned directly with the objectives of the IPWR-A initiative.
Idang added that entries would be accepted in English and French, with sign language interpretation available across participating African countries to ensure inclusivity.
“Submissions are open in three categories: essay writing, visual art, and poetry. Interested participants are encouraged to visit www.ipwrafrica.org for full guidelines and entry requirements.
“The top entry will receive a 1,500 dollars cash prize, along with additional benefits such as access to scholarships, professional training, and mentorship opportunities.”
Idang commended IPWR-A’s volunteers, partners, and sponsors for their dedication to ensuring that every girl, regardless of disability, language, or geographic location, had a platform to contribute to community development.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IPWR-A established in 2012, focuses on girl-child education, peacebuilding, community development, and inclusive governance across Africa.