The third edition of Ladies Movement, organized by the association IYAWO, took place on October 31, 2026, at Golden Plaza in Lomé, Togo. The event, launched by the Ministry of Solidarity, Gender, Family, and Child Protection, aimed to promote girls' education and protection. With over 300 young people participating in person and online, the event demonstrated a strong interest in the initiative. The movement's goal is to make maintaining girls in school, protecting them, and promoting their leadership a collective responsibility.
The event featured Son Excellence Madame Victoire Tomégah-Dogbé, former Prime Minister of Togo, as the Guest Speaker. Her presence added significance to the discussions on female leadership and the role of young girls in decision-making spaces. The event also included interventions from various stakeholders, including Yayra DOGBO, representing Auguste Le Grand, Elisabeth APAMPA, president of IYAWO, and Sylvio COMBEY COMBETEY, representing UNICEF Togo. The participation of institutional representatives emphasized the importance of collective action in promoting girls' education and protection.
The event aimed to address the obstacles that hinder girls' educational journeys, such as gender-based violence, early pregnancies, and socio-cultural pressures. The discussions focused on ways to strengthen girls' confidence, autonomy, and capacity to take their place in society. According to Elisabeth APAMPA, president of IYAWO, the initiative seeks to create a platform for girls to express themselves, participate in decision-making, and take their place in society. IYAWO, founded in 2018, works on promoting girls' and women's leadership, empowerment, and rights.
The theme of the 2026 edition highlighted the challenge of maintaining girls in school beyond access. The event discussed the need for a safe learning environment, free from violence and harassment, to enable girls to complete their education. The statistics presented during the event revealed that there were 2,284 cases of early pregnancies in schools during the 2024-2025 academic year. The situation is further complicated by the rising consumption of drugs in some areas.
The event provided a platform for girls to share their concerns, aspirations, and proposals. The initiative aims to bring together young participants, inspiring role models, and stakeholders to create bridges between generations, institutions, and socio-economic actors. By doing so, Ladies Movement seeks to promote a culture of equality, empowerment, and protection for girls.
The Ministry of Solidarity, Gender, Family, and Child Protection officially launched the event, emphasizing the government's commitment to promoting girls' education and protection. The representative of UNICEF Togo highlighted the importance of girls' participation in decision-making processes and their right to learn in a safe environment. The event demonstrated a strong institutional commitment to addressing the challenges faced by girls in Togo.
As the initiative continues to grow, Ladies Movement has become a significant platform for promoting girls' education and protection in Togo. The event has created a space for girls to express themselves and for stakeholders to come together to address the challenges they face. With the support of institutional partners and stakeholders, the initiative aims to make a lasting impact on the lives of girls in Togo.
Key points
- The event brought together over 300 young people to discuss education and protection of girls.
- The initiative aims to make maintaining girls in school, protecting them, and promoting their leadership a collective responsibility.
- The event highlighted the challenge of maintaining girls in school beyond access, including the need for a safe learning environment.
