International
Women’s Day
Honouring African Women—Their Strength, Stories, and Struggles
At Young Voices of Africa, we believe women are the heartbeat of our communities and the backbone of our progress. In March 2023, we proudly launched a powerful campaign to celebrate International Women’s Day, not as a one-day observance but as a week-long, cross-continental movement dedicated to uplifting women and amplifying their voices.
Held from March 1st to March 8th, 2023, our celebration united youth, educators, artists, and community leaders from Sierra Leone, Togo, South Sudan, and beyond. Through creative storytelling, education, and grassroots advocacy, we celebrated the resilience and brilliance of African women while calling attention to the urgent issues they continue to face.
About the Celebration
The 2023 theme centred around empowerment, awareness, and unity, using creative approaches to drive conversations, share stories, and foster community action. Our activities blended in-person events with digital campaigns, reaching both rural communities and the global African diaspora.
Throughout the week, we sparked meaningful dialogue in schools, amplified voices through video and audio platforms, and brought communities together in celebration and reflection. In collaboration with KAMM Artistic Europe, we merged art, education, and activism to deliver a truly immersive and impactful experience.
Activities
&
Highlights
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We kicked off the celebration with educational outreach across schools in Sierra Leone, Togo, and South Sudan. These visits focused on gender equality, women’s leadership, and the importance of inclusion. By engaging directly with students, especially young girls, we planted seeds of confidence and leadership for the next generation.
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Throughout the week, we featured heartfelt video messages from women, girls, and allies who shared their personal stories, achievements, and hopes for a more equal future. These videos resonated widely, sparking conversations and solidarity across borders.
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As part of our Talent into Action initiative, led by Kelvin Akpaloo, President and CEO of YVA, and supported by Creativity and Change (Ireland), our ambassadors in Sierra Leone produced a moving audio drama titled “MIRES OF AN AFRICAN WOMAN.”
This drama told the remarkable story of Madam Ella Koblo Gulama (1921–2006), a pioneering leader, Paramount Chief, and the first woman elected to Sierra Leone’s Legislative Council in 1957. She later became the first female cabinet minister and a trailblazer for women's education and political participation. Through this creative project, our young talents honored her legacy, using storytelling as a tool for education, pride, and empowerment.
Mires of an African Woman
Mires of an African Woman is an audio drama created by the Young Voices of Africa ambassadors in Sierra Leone for a project called Talent into Action, set up by Kelvin Akpaloo, CEO and president of YVA and the Creativity and Change organisation in Ireland. The audio drama tells the story of Madam Ella Koblo Gulama (1921-2006), the daughter of paramount chief Julius Gulama and chieftess Lucy Gulama, all of Kaiyamba chiefdom. She was a pioneering Sierra Leonean politician, women's rights activist, and traditional leader. She became the first woman elected to Sierra Leone's Legislative Council in 1957 and later served as the country's first female cabinet minister. A strong advocate for women's rights and education, she was also a respected Paramount Chief, inheriting the title from her father. Her legacy is marked by her contributions to politics, women's empowerment, and Sierra Leonean society.