AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS POETRY COMPETITION: IHRAM CALLS FOR ENTRIES
The African Secretariat of the International Human Rights Art Movement (IHRAM) is excited to announce the launch of the African Human Rights Poetry Competition. This competition invites poets from across the African continent to use their voices in the fight for justice, equality, and human dignity. Through the power of poetry, the competition seeks to amplify voices advocating for human rights and social change, offering a platform to those passionate about freedom, justice, and equality.
The competition aims to uncover and showcase powerful poems that address critical human rights issues, such as freedom, justice, gender equality, democracy, and social justice. IHRAM recognizes the unique role poetry plays in capturing the essence of human rights struggles and aims to provide a global stage where these important conversations can be shared and heard.
Poets from all backgrounds and of all ages are encouraged to participate in this exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding human rights. Whether they are emerging voices or seasoned poets, all are invited to submit their original, unpublished poems. The competition seeks to celebrate diverse perspectives and showcase the talents of poets from across Africa.
Each poet may submit only one entry, and the poem must be written in English. The African Human Rights Poetry Competition offers poets a rare opportunity to be recognized on an international stage while contributing to meaningful discourse on the promotion of human dignity and justice.
To submit an entry, poets are asked to send their poem as a Word document to wole@humanrightsartmovement.org and copy ihrafafrica@humanrightsartmovement.org with the subject line: “Human Rights Poetry Competition Submission.” In the body of the email, poets should include their full name, country of origin, a short bio (50 words), and contact details.
The competition offers exciting prizes for the top three winners. The first-place winner will receive $100, the second-place winner will be awarded $75, and the third-place winner will receive $50. These prizes aim to reward excellence and encourage further engagement in the pursuit of social justice through the arts.
In addition to the monetary prizes, winning entries will be featured in IHRAM’s publications, anthologies, and online platforms, providing poets with a unique opportunity to gain visibility and participate in a global conversation on human rights. Selected poets may also receive special recognition for their contributions to both the arts and advocacy.
The deadline for submissions is May 31st, 2025. IHRAM encourages poets to submit their work early and join the movement to inspire change through the written word. This competition offers a unique chance for poets to have their voices heard and contribute to shaping a future rooted in equality and justice.
For more information and inquiries about the competition, poets can contact Wole Adedoyin at woleadedoyin@gmail.com. IHRAM looks forward to receiving the creative and powerful voices that will help shape the future of human rights through poetry.