The first edition of the National Girls' Summit (SONAFI) took place in Lomé, Togo, from October 22 to 24, 2026. The summit, themed "From Ambition to Impact: Girls in Action," aimed to promote the leadership of young girls, highlight their initiatives, and strengthen dialogue with decision-makers in favor of their rights and gender equality. The event was organized under the patronage of the Ministry of Solidarity, Gender, Family, and Child Protection.
The summit brought together 350 participants, including 50 young people from other regions of Togo, representatives of civil society organizations, public institutions, technical and financial partners, the private sector, and the cultural world. The event featured plenary sessions, discussion panels, and project presentations, as well as exhibitions and cultural evenings that showcased the talents, creativity, and commitment of young girls.
The summit aimed to strengthen the power to act, leadership, and participation of girls and young women in decision-making spaces. The event provided a national platform for girls to express themselves, valorize their initiatives, and engage in dialogue with decision-makers. The summit also sought to promote better institutional recognition of youth and to encourage concrete commitments in favor of children's rights, girls' empowerment, and gender equality.
At the end of the summit, the organizers praised the mobilization and determination of young girls, as well as the perspectives opened up by this first edition. The Representative Resident of Plan International Togo, Mr. Ousseynou Samb, highlighted the significance of the three-day meeting, marked by constructive energy and strong commitment. He emphasized that giving girls the capacity to act enables them to create impact.
The summit provided a platform for girls to share their experiences and recommendations. The girls called for the creation of favorable conditions for their development and full participation in the country's development. They also emphasized the need for mechanisms to denounce violence and benefit from better protection. Mr. Samb stressed that the challenge now is to ensure that these proposals are translated into concrete decisions and actions by public authorities and partners.
The Director of Cabinet of the Ministry of Solidarity, Gender, Family, and Child Protection, Mr. Minza Manzama-Esso, praised the commitment, creativity, and determination of young participants. He noted their growing interest in sciences, innovation, digital technology, entrepreneurship, and citizen participation. According to him, when appropriate spaces are offered to them, girls know how to seize opportunities and demonstrate their potential.
The summit's outcomes align with the vision of the President of the Council, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, who prioritizes human capital, social inclusion, and the empowerment of young people and women. The government has launched reforms and programs to promote gender equality, child protection, and the active participation of young people in national life. The success of the summit demonstrates the potential of girls and young women in Togo.
Key points
- The summit called for greater inclusion of girls' voices in decision-making processes.
- The event provided a platform for girls to share their experiences and recommendations.
- The summit's outcomes align with the government's vision for human capital, social inclusion, and empowerment of young people and women.
