African Human Rights Poetry Competition: IHRAM Receives Entries from Twenty-Five Countries

 

AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS POETRY COMPETITION: IHRAM RECEIVES ENTRIES FROM TWENTY-FIVE COUNTRIES

 

The African Human Rights Poetry Competition, organized by the African Secretariat of the International Human Rights Art Movement (IHRAM), has concluded its entry phase with remarkable success. The competition, which aimed to spotlight pressing human rights issues through the medium of poetry, received a total of 350 entries from poets across 25 countries.

According to Wole Adedoyin, the Coordinator and the Director of IHRAM in Africa, the competition drew submissions from across Africa and beyond, including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Mauritius, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Egypt, Botswana, Malawi, Madagascar, and Tunisia. Additional entries came from nations outside the continent such as Thailand, India, Canada, Jamaica, the United States of America, and others, highlighting the global appeal of the initiative and the universal nature of human rights advocacy.

Each poem submitted engaged with critical human rights themes including freedom, justice, democracy, gender equality, child rights, environmental protection, and social inclusion. The competition provided a platform for writers—both emerging and established—to reflect, challenge, and advocate through creative expression. It affirmed the vital role that art, especially poetry, plays in shaping public discourse and raising awareness on key societal issues.

The process of compiling and reviewing the entries was rigorous, given the volume and diversity of the submissions. Every entry was carefully catalogued, and participants were duly acknowledged with confirmation and appreciation messages.

As a gesture of recognition and encouragement, every participating poet has been issued a Certificate of Participation. The certificates serve as tokens of gratitude for their creative effort and dedication to promoting human rights through poetry. This initiative is part of IHRAM’s broader mission to engage artists in global human rights education and advocacy.

With the entry phase concluded, the competition now moves into the next exciting stage—longlisting. The longlist will feature standout poems that will proceed to the next round of evaluation for possible inclusion in an anthology and for final prize consideration.

IHRAM expresses heartfelt thanks to all the poets who submitted their work. Their courage to speak truth to power, address injustice, and give voice to the voiceless through their art is commendable. This competition has proven that poetry remains a powerful tool for social change and a mirror of the human condition.

Looking ahead, IHRAM plans to publish a special anthology featuring the best entries from the competition. This publication will serve as a lasting testimony to the resilience, creativity, and advocacy of African and global poets in the fight for human rights. It will also be part of IHRAM’s contribution to literary and civic engagement across the continent and beyond.

The African Human Rights Poetry Competition is more than a literary contest—it is a movement, a platform, and a call to action. Through poetic voices from twenty-five countries, IHRAM continues to amplify the stories that matter and foster a culture of dignity, equity, and justice for all.

 

African Human Rights Poetry Competition: IHRAM Calls for Entries

 

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.

 

African Human Rights Music Competition – IHRAM Calls For Entries

 

AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS MUSIC 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 Music Competition. This competition seeks to engage musicians, vocalists, and songwriters across the African continent in using music as a powerful tool to amplify human rights advocacy. The competition aims to promote awareness of pressing human rights issues and inspire positive social change through the universal language of music.

The theme of this year’s competition focuses on human rights topics such as freedom, justice, equality, gender rights, and other key issues at the forefront of the human rights movement. Musicians are encouraged to explore these themes in their original compositions and use their creativity to reflect the ongoing struggles and aspirations for a more just and equal world.

To participate, musicians must adhere to the following guidelines: all entries must be original compositions, ensuring that no covers, remixes, or previously released songs are submitted. The competition encourages a wide range of musical genres, and submissions can be either acapella or accompanied by musical instruments. However, it is important to note that excessive digital modifications or auto-tuning should be avoided to maintain the authenticity and raw emotion of the message conveyed.

Each song submitted for the competition should not exceed four minutes in duration. Submissions must be in MP3 or WAV format and should be sent via email to wole@humanrightsartmovement.org and copied to ihrafafrica@humanrightsartmovement.org. To ensure the proper identification of entries, all email submissions should have the subject line: "African Human Rights Music Competition Submission."

Entries are due by April 26th, 2025, and late submissions will not be considered. All entrants must include their full name, country of residence, song title, lyrics (if applicable), and contact details within their submission. This ensures a smooth process for the selection and recognition of winners.

The competition offers exciting prizes for the top three winners. The first prize winner will receive $100, while the second and third place winners will receive $75 and $50, respectively. These prizes aim to encourage continued creativity and highlight the talents of musicians who are passionate about advocating for human rights through their music.

In addition to the monetary prizes, winners will also be honored with certificates of recognition and have the opportunity for international exposure. Their songs may be featured in human rights campaigns, providing a platform to raise awareness about important issues to a global audience. The competition offers a unique opportunity for musicians to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing fight for justice and equality in Africa.

Participants in the African Human Rights Music Competition will not only have their voices heard but also be part of a movement that uses the arts to advocate for social change. By joining the competition, musicians will be able to connect with other artists and human rights advocates, expanding the reach of their messages and collaborations for greater impact.

IHRAM encourages all musicians, vocalists, and songwriters across Africa to submit their entries and help use the power of music to make a difference. Whether through inspiring lyrics, powerful melodies, or poignant vocal performances, each submission has the potential to spark conversations, raise awareness, and ignite action for human rights causes.

For any inquiries or further information, please contact Wole Adedoyin at woleadedoyin@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing your powerful and inspiring submissions.

Join the Movement!
Let your music be a voice for justice, equality, and human rights.