IHRAM African Secretariat
Through collaboration with thought leaders in Nigeria and Zimbabwe, the International Human Rights Arts Movement works to raise awareness of the struggle for human rights across the African continent. By offering creative programming and a consistent presence, we highlight human rights defenders and the hurdles they face with corruption, police brutality, violence against women and the government's sometimes indifference to the rights of its citizens.
Wole Adedoyin first launched the IHRAM African Secretariat in Nigeria in 2020. In addition to Wole’s impressive work with IHRAM, he also serves as President of the Society of Young Nigerian Authors.
In 2021, Mbizo Chirasha expanded our efforts into Zimbabwe. A published IHRAM writer, award winner and 2020 International Fellow, Mbizo had been representing IHRAM on the African continent since 2017.
All of the programming that occurs through our African Secretariat is based on the IHRAM values of beauty, sincerity, vulnerability, engagement and celebrating diversity. Past programming has included literary contests, an extensive library of interviews with artist-activists, teen mentoring programs and book clubs.
Through its African Secretariat, IHRAM is cultivating and supporting artists and changemakers who are living in some of the most complicated and difficult political environments in the world.
Wole Adedoyin, Director, IHRAM African Secretariat, Nigeria
Mbizo Chirasha, Director, IHRAM African Secretariat, Zimbabwe
Latest News
July 27, 2024. Southern African Literary Prize winners, judged by William Khalipwina Mpina, Malawi.
“"These poems bind history to geography. They are not mere descriptions of places, but rather explorations of the human spirit as shaped by the land. They speak of ancestral memories, of the weight of the past, and of the hopes and dreams of the future. In these poems, I found echoes of ancient myths and legends, as well as the urgent concerns of the present day."
Check out the poems HERE
August 5, 2024: Here Rights, Our Stories A Collection Of Poems And Essays On The Plight Of Women And Girls In Africa.
Edited by IHRAM African Secretariat Director Wole Adedoyin, and Dr. Geraldine Sinyuy
The anthology is a collective call to all stake- holders of from the grassroots to the cities of Africa to team up and end injustice and violence against women. A gender-inclusive society is stronger than a gender-biased society. Women have a pivotal role to play in the development of the society and once they are excluded, the result is higher vulnerability and poverty levels which give birth to a frail and crumbling society.
Check out the book HERE
November 8, 2024: African Spoken Word Competition. We received more than 60 submissions from 11 countries. The participating countries include Eswatini, South Africa, Malawi, the Netherlands, Nigeria, India, Zambia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Mauritius.. This competition captured the imagination and creativity of artists across the African continent and beyond.
This competition is a testimony to the power of art in reflecting and addressing critical human rights issues that resonate deeply within African communities.
Check out the winners and Honorable Mentions HERE
African Spoken Word Contest
November 2024
The African Spoken Word contest received 60 passionate entries from countries around Africa, and Africans living in the diaspora. The winners and honorable mentions were announced in late November, 2024. Click on the title to hear and see the spoken word piece!
Honorable Mention
Adetola Eyimofe Jerry Adesewo Nigeria
Othman Amina, Nigeria
Ananya Welankar, India
Christiana Kolawole Boluwatife, Nigeria
Fatima Salihu, Nigeria
African Human Rights Art Competition
July 2024
Click on the book image to see the full collection of works!
The African Human Rights Art Competition received passionate entries from artists in countries around Africa, and Africans living in the diaspora. The winners and honorable mentions were announced in July 2024. Click on the book image to see the full collection of works!
Second Prize
My Hair My Pride
Oyedokun Ezekiel, Nigeria
Third Prize
Woman Liberation
Beaulla-Bertha Likambale Ng’ombe, Malawi
Honorable Mention
Child Labor
Adelina Ndunguru, Tanzania
Native Hersdsboy
Tracy Jamgbadi, Nigeria
Let Your Light Shine
Blessing Ita Frank, Nigeria
Untitled
Devrigan Rakwom, Kenya
Cry Our Beloved Country
Elle Belle Art, South Africa
African Spoken Word Contest
November 2023
The African Spoken Word contest received 31 passionate entries from countries around Africa, and Africans living in the diaspora. The winners and honorable mentions were announced in late November, 2023. Click on the title to hear and see the spoken word piece!
First Prize
Suffer In Silence
by Jon Kote, Nigeria
Second Prize
Voice Against Child Trafficking
Chanjoh Rexson Ngong, Cameroon
Third Prize
Let's Be The Mender
Adetola Eyimofe Jerry-Adesewo, Nigeria
Honorable Mention
Oyamo Richard
Richiepoet the Artist, Kenya
Lillian Sheridan Jenda, Malawi
Othman Amina, Nigeria
Chukwu, Chisom Loretta, Nigeria
We Want To Be Children, Not Brides!
Gugulethu Matshazi Dube, Zimbabwe
African Short Story Contest
June 2023
Voices of Africa
Speaking Truth to Power
Curated and edited by African Secretariat Editor Dr. Uche Akunebu
March 2023
"Speaking Truth to Power anthology is a harvest of fertile poetic minds that revolts and roars like lions in the jungle when things go south. And as the African continent grapples with challenges that torpedoes her greatness, the anthology remains a one-stop shop for people searching for patriots, conscience of nations, freedom
fighters, human right activists, democrats, creative geniuses, and poets with perfect craft. Immerse yourself in the messages in the anthology. The African leaders and African continent will no doubt get her developmental rhythm right, to the glory of all Africans."
Dr. Uche Akunebu, Professor at the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja, Nigeria, Curator/Editor
Chosen by jurors Wole Adedoyin and Gabriel Sunday Afolayan, these works stood out from 72 submissions from Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Malawi, USA, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Pakistan and Ghana.
First Prize: Steve Biko Prize
VICTOR DAMILOLA GARUBA: Water Maid
Victor Damilola Garuba is a Nigerian short story writer and poet who finds his inspiration largely in mythological cosmology. His works appear in Brittle Paper, African Writer and Writers Space Africa.
Second Prize: Prof. Pius Adesanmi Prize
CHUKWU SUNDAY ABEL: You Are a Criminal
Chukwu Sunday Abel (Sunday Obiageli) is an Igbo-born journalist and writer whose literary works have been published in anthologies and magazines across four continents. He is a three-time nominee for pushcart literary prize; a winner of the Creators of Justice Literary Award by the International Human Rights Art Movement Awards, New York; and a finalist in the 2020 National EndSARS Poetry Competition Against Police Brutality in Nigeria.
Third Prize: Binyavanga Wainaina Prize
OLUSOJI OBEBE: At The End Of The Rainbow
Olusoji Obebe is a young Nigerian poet, fiction writer and essayist, nominated for BoTN and currently studying law at the University of Benin. He is a member of HCAF(Lagos) and recipient of PROFWIC ACHIEVERS AWARD 2022. Reach him on Instagram @olusojiobebe and Twitter, @olusoji_obebe.
“Peace” by Christopher Samuel Idowu
Songs of Peace
African Secretariat Directors Wole Adedoyin and Mbizo Chirasha collected work from 12 writers and 4 artists from the Continent, to highlight the work, the passion and the positive intention of these African artivists. The title of the anthology is “Songs of Peace”, and represents another important creative chapter in the work of IHRAM Africa. With our great appreciation to our Brothers in Spirit, Wole and Mbizo!
Read the interviews
from the
IHRAM African Secretariat:
