The African Secretariat of the International Human Rights Art Movement (IHRAM) has announced the successful conclusion of the entry phase of its widely celebrated African Human Rights Poetry Competition, drawing a staggering 350 submissions from poets across 25 countries.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The African Secretariat of the International Human Rights Art Movement (IHRAM) has announced the successful conclusion of the entry phase of its widely celebrated African Human Rights Poetry Competition, drawing a staggering 350 submissions from poets across 25 countries.
According to Wole Adedoyin, Director of IHRAM Africa and Coordinator of the competition, the poetry contest struck a powerful chord with both African and international audiences, receiving entries from countries as diverse as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Mauritius, Liberia, Egypt, Madagascar, and Tunisia.
Poems also poured in from beyond the continent—including the United States, India, Canada, Thailand, and Jamaica—demonstrating the global relevance of the themes and the universal resonance of human rights advocacy through art.
“This competition isn’t just about poetry. It’s about using art as a tool to confront injustice, amplify silenced voices, and inspire collective reflection and action,” Adedoyin said. “Each submission is a testament to the power of words in the pursuit of freedom, justice, and equality.”
Themed around core human rights issues such as freedom, democracy, gender equality, child rights, social inclusion, and environmental protection, the competition provided a platform for both emerging and established poets to lend their voices to urgent conversations through verse.
Each poem was reviewed and catalogued with care, and all participants received formal confirmation and appreciation messages from IHRAM. In recognition of their contribution, all 350 poets have been awarded Certificates of Participation—a symbolic gesture acknowledging their commitment to creative advocacy.
“The response was overwhelming,” Adedoyin added. “The courage, passion, and intellect woven into these poems speak volumes about the importance of literary activism in today’s world.”
With the entry phase now closed, the competition moves into its longlisting stage. A select number of standout entries will be shortlisted for final prize consideration and inclusion in a planned anthology.
“The upcoming anthology will not only showcase the best works but will also stand as a living document of artistic resistance and hope,” said Adedoyin. “It will echo the voices of those who dare to dream of a just and inclusive world.”
IHRAM emphasized that the African Human Rights Poetry Competition is more than just a contest—it is a movement to empower poets as changemakers and elevate human rights discourse through literature.
“Our heartfelt thanks go to every poet who submitted their work. Your words matter. Your voices matter. Through poetry, we are building a chorus for dignity, justice, and truth,” Adedoyin concluded.
The final winners are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, with the anthology scheduled for publication shortly afterward.