Government of Guinea-Bissau and UNICEF support the participation of four adolescents

Bissau, 9 October 2025 — Four adolescents from Guinea-Bissau, accompanied by representatives from the Government and UNICEF, will actively participate in the Central and West Africa Girls’ Summit, taking place in Dakar, Senegal, on 10 and 11 October 2025. This unprecedented event will bring together adolescents from 24 countries across the region, policymakers, civil society, the private sector and development partners, with the aim of establishing a shared agenda to advance girls’ rights, amplify their voices, and influence public policies and regional programmes.

The Guinea-Bissau delegation will be led by Her Excellency, the Minister of Women, Family and Social Solidarity, and will include institutional representatives and four adolescents — three girls and one boy — selected through the National Children’s Parliament and a public call for participation. This composition ensures diverse and inclusive representation, reflecting the Government of Guinea-Bissau’s commitment to meaningful adolescent participation in shaping national policies.

“Empowering girls and boys means preparing a better future for Guinea-Bissau. Girls and boys must be well-prepared, well-educated and well-equipped to keep pace with international development and globalisation,” said Her Excellency, Maria Inácia Có Mendes Sanhá, Minister of Women, Family and Social Solidarity.

This high-level event, held under the High Patronage of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Senegal and co-organised with adolescents and UNICEF’s Regional Office for West and Central Africa, marks a significant milestone in promoting the rights of adolescent girls across the region.

The Summit

Guinea-Bissau’s participation in the Summit is particularly relevant given the challenges faced by girls in the country, especially in rural areas such as Bafatá and Gabú, where harmful practices like child marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) persist.

In preparation for the Summit, UNICEF Guinea-Bissau, in collaboration with the Government through the Institute for Women and Children, organised national consultations in August 2025, engaging adolescents from various regions. These consultations helped identify key priorities, aspirations and advocacy messages that will be presented at the Summit by the adolescent delegates.

“When I return from this summit, I want to work for girls. We girls want action, we want change — not just words. So that we can have a better Guinea-Bissau, so that girls can have a wonderful dream future,” said Nhemana Joaquim Sobana, one of the adolescents attending the Summit.

Guinea-Bissau’s participation is expected to contribute to:

• The clear definition of priorities and advocacy messages developed by adolescents;
• Strengthened collaboration between adolescents, the Government, UNICEF and key partners;
• Robust documentation of girls’ voices to inform national and regional advocacy efforts.

Following the event, a sharing session will be held with the Government, civil society and development partners to disseminate key outcomes and integrate the Regional Girls’ Agenda into national frameworks and programmes.

UNICEF Guinea-Bissau reaffirms its commitment to promoting the rights of adolescent girls and expresses its gratitude for the continued support of the Government and partners in building a more just and equitable future for all children and adolescents in the country.