On Friday, December 12, 2025, Lyrical Three, a talented trio of young women, was crowned the overall winner of the EU-Ballanta Academy Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Singing Competition, which featured music, youth activism, and a powerful call to end gender-based violence. The group won the grand prize of NLe 30,000, with first and second runners-up Alie Baminhoma and Othman Tao receiving NLe 20,000 and NLe 10,000, respectively. All three winners were also awarded full scholarships to study music at the Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts.
The competition, organised as part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, brought together music fans, government officials, civil society organisations, development partners, and members of the public for a night of performances that combined artistry and advocacy. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about the scope and impact of gender-based violence in Sierra Leone, as well as to inspire collective action through creative expression, all while amplifying the voices of young people advocating for gender equality and human rights.
Over 107 video submissions were received from Sierra Leoneans aged 18 to 35, demonstrating strong youth participation. A five-member expert jury conducted a rigorous vetting process to choose eight finalists for the grand finale. Finalists were judged on their vocal strength, originality, and the social consciousness of their lyrics, emphasising the event’s dual focus on artistic excellence and activism.
Madam Elvira Bobson-Kamara, Principal of Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts, described the initiative as much more than just a competition. She saw it as an opportunity to use music as a tool for social transformation, elevating young voices and challenging the norms that perpetuate violence. Her remarks emphasised the Academy’s dedication to developing talent and promoting community-minded messages through the arts.
Jacek Jankowski, the EU ambassador to Sierra Leone, echoed this sentiment by stating that the competition was an attempt to produce “a new soundtrack for change.” He emphasised that one of the most pervasive human rights abuses in Sierra Leone and the world is still gender-based violence, and he cautioned about the growing danger of cyberbullying. “Silence fosters violence, which feeds on humiliation. We need to alter the culture that supports it to defeat it, which is where art’s transformative potential comes in. He praised the active participation of Sierra Leonean youth, saying that music “gives a voice to the voiceless, challenges harmful norms, and promotes healing.”
The platform was used by Isata Mahoi, Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, to highlight the seriousness of gender-based and sexual violence and its damaging impacts on families and society. She disclosed that between 2023 and 2025, 183,000 SGBV cases were reported nationwide, a number she called “extremely concerning.” Dr Mahoi reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s adherence to national laws like the Sexual Offences Act (Amended, 2019) as well as regional and international frameworks, such as the Beijing Declaration, SDG 5, the Maputo Protocol, CEDAW, and the ECOWAS Gender Policy. “Just laws are insufficient. “Community action, cultural change, and collective responsibility are necessary to end gender-based violence,” she emphasised.
The European Union reaffirmed its commitment to supporting gender equality, human rights, and youth participation in Sierra Leone. According to organisers and partners, initiatives such as the EU-Ballanta GBV Singing Competition demonstrate how culture and creativity can drive social change, empower young people, and make a significant contribution to the fight against gender-based violence by providing communities with a platform to speak out and demand accountability.
