By:Usman Fambuleh
The Patriotic Advocacy Network (PAN) is set to host the fourth edition of its annual Public Speaking for Girls competition on Saturday, 31 October 2026, at the Bank Complex in Kingtom, Freetown.
The event will be held under the theme, “Her Voice, Her Choice: Girls Speaking for a Better Tomorrow,” and aims to empower young girls by strengthening their communication, leadership and advocacy skills.
The competition is one of PAN’s flagship initiatives, designed to train, mentor and inspire girls to become confident speakers and responsible leaders. It also seeks to equip them with the skills to speak out against social challenges affecting their lives and communities.
The fourth edition will feature an inter-school competition across three categories: public speaking, music and spoken-word poetry. Each participating secondary school will be represented by three students, who will showcase their talents and share their perspectives on pressing social issues.
Participants are expected to address topics including gender-based violence, educational equity, early marriage, substance abuse, inequality, injustice and female empowerment.
Preliminary rounds will be held across secondary schools in the Western Area Urban and Western Area Rural districts to identify finalists for the main competition. The selection process will give students from both districts an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and compete for a place in the final event.
Through the initiative, PAN aims to provide a platform for girls to express their views and contribute to discussions on issues affecting their education, rights, safety and future opportunities. The programme also seeks to encourage their participation in leadership and decision-making while promoting positive social change.
PAN has invited institutions, organisations and individuals interested in partnering with or sponsoring the competition to contact the organisation on +232 77 459 773.
The competition is expected to bring together students from participating schools to showcase their talents, exchange ideas and advocate for a better future through public speaking and creative expression.
