International Music Day 2025: When girls' voices resonate with commitment
UNICEF Cameroon turned Music Day 2025 into a vibrant celebration and a powerful call for girls' rights, led by the inspiring voices of the Girls' Movement.
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As part of the Girls' Movement, a regional initiative launched by UNICEF to amplify the voices of girls in West and Central Africa, music has proven to be a powerful tool for expression, raising awareness, and mobilising support. In Cameroon, this initiative is taking concrete form through a national program run by and for girls, aimed at restoring their voice, position, and power in society.
Over 300 girls responded to the call, coming from various neighbourhoods and schools to participate in this unique celebration. Under the banner of UNICEF's "Je Suis Musique" program, young people took to the microphone and megaphone to share their dreams, pain, hopes, and demands.
"We're not just celebrating the music; we're celebrating the voices of girls. This is very important to us. We use music as a way to raise awareness for the Girls' Movement that we're running. For us, music serves as both a medium and an accelerator for conveying important messages. You've seen how girls can express themselves through it."
For the 2025 edition, over 300 girls gathered to celebrate the themes of expression and freedom. They sang, danced, performed slam poetry, and advocated for their rights, showcasing that music is more than just an art form—it's a universal language that can touch hearts, open minds, and transform mentalities.
And we use music to do that, because it's an accelerator. Music, through lyrics, raises people's awareness, but it also gives girls the opportunity to express themselves. It also mobilises everyone. And it's also a universal language.
The awards ceremony for the winners of the National Choreography Challenge, held on digital platforms, was one of the most moving moments of the celebrations. The winners' eyes shone with pride and surprise, and their smiles expressed the joy of being heard, seen, and valued. This moment represented not just the culmination of a competition, but also a vibrant symbol of a committed and creative youth determined to change the world. It was a celebration of not only listening to music but also becoming music.
Today, I've realised that my voice matters. Thanks to music, I can express feelings that I've kept deep inside for a long time. I no longer want to stay silent. I want to learn, share my thoughts, and inspire other girls to believe in themselves. This movement marks the beginning of something significant—not just for me, but for all the girls in Cameroon.
When Words Become Advocacy
Throughout the event, dedicated artists, young female poets, and children from the "Je suis musique" program delivered performances that were full of energy and meaning. Their lyrics, choreography, and rhythms conveyed powerful messages: girls have rights, and they want to be heard. This artistic expression served as a powerful tool for education and mobilisation, engaging an audience that spanned generations and institutions. Partner ministries such as MINPROFF, MINJEC, and MINAC also participated.
Issa Sanogo, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Cameroon, was present alongside UNICEF. He reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations System to support girls.
"The Girls' Movement is a significant initiative, and using music as a tool demonstrates UNICEF's strong commitment. Music transcends cultural and social barriers, and today, it amplifies the voices of girls who are often silenced."
A stage, a platform, a transformation.
Beyond the spotlight, the International Music Day provided a genuine platform for girls to express themselves. Through their words, dances, and music, they reaffirmed their determination to take control of their future. Their spontaneous performances throughout the event showcased the strength of a movement that is actively engaging, no longer willing to wait for answers but instead creating their own.
The International Music Day officially launched a significant movement that will continue with a national caravan for the Girls' Movement, planned to visit all ten regions of Cameroon. The goal of this initiative is to reach at least 50,000 girls, raise their awareness of their rights, and equip them with the tools they need to defend those rights.
"Some of them may not be aware that they are being abused or that their rights are being trampled underfoot," says Nadine Perrault. " The aim of this caravan is to wake them up, give them tools and allow them to express themselves. That's why we use music and dance, to get the message across more quickly.
Collective responsibility
For UNICEF, the success of the Girls' Movement also depends on collective responsibility: parents, educators, the media and community leaders all have a role to play.
" "Girls are extremely intelligent, yet they are sometimes confined to roles that do not belong to them," said the Representative. 'As adults, we must empower them. That's why UNICEF is looking for support from everyone, including the media, to spread the message and denounce abuse."
The Girls' Movement is progressing toward the National Summit scheduled for September 2025, followed by the Regional Summit in Dakar in October. Meanwhile, in Cameroon, a wave of change is emerging. Through music, girls are seizing the microphone and the megaphone, taking to the stage, and growing stronger. A fair world for girls begins with a single note, and today, they are composing an entire symphony.
