2026 Adolescent
Girls Summit
2026 Theme
Count us in: African Adolescents and Youth Co-Creating Solutions to Advance Gender Justice and Rights
March 31 - April 3, 2026 · Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire
Adolescent Girls Face
Unprecedented Challenges
In West and Central Africa, 1 in 2 adolescent girls are out of school. 9 out of 10 new HIV infections among adolescents are among girls. 6 of the top 10 countries with child marriage are in this region.
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From Quiet Voices
to Bold Leaders
Since 2022, AGS has empowered 300+ adolescents to become catalysts for change in their communities. Our alumni now lead national advocacy initiatives and shape policy decisions.
2026 Summit at a Glance
Dates
March 31 - April 3, 2026
Location
Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire
Participants
250+ from 13+ Countries
What is AGS
The Adolescent Girls Summit
The Adolescent Girls Summit (AGS) is a transformative platform where adolescent girls from diverse backgrounds, identities, and abilities connect, share their stories, build solidarity, and amplify their voices to advocate for their rights and challenge harmful gender norms.
AGS also recognizes that achieving true gender justice requires collective effort. Adolescent girls therefore work alongside boys, who play an essential role in dismantling systems of inequality that affect both genders, learning to become allies in the fight for gender justice.
What sets AGS apart is its participatory approach: adolescent girls and boys plan and execute the summit themselves, with support from Global Fund for Children and its partners. This collaborative model fosters inclusion and reinforces that only together can we achieve gender justice.
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Together, We're Building an Adolescent and Youth Led Movement
Empowering adolescents and youth across Africa to have agency over their lives and to be change agents in their communities
Adolescents Participated
Across three regional summits
Countries Represented
Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and more
Partner Organizations
Grassroots groups leading change
Our Approach
What Makes AGS Different
AGS is a transformative movement led by adolescents and youth themselves
Focus on Adolescent Girls
Adolescent girls face intersecting challenges including harmful practices, limited access to education and health services, violence, poverty, and exclusion from decision-making. AGS highlights these issues to shift the narrative, from seeing girls as victims to recognizing them as rights holders and powerful change agents.
- ✓ Centering girls' voices and lived experiences
- ✓ Addressing intersecting barriers girls face
- ✓ Recognizing girls as rights holders and change agents
100% Adolescent-Led
Every stage—from planning to facilitation—is led by adolescents and youth. Adults offer only guidance and support, ensuring authentic youth voice and ownership.
- ✓ Adolescent and youth-led planning committees drive summit agenda
- ✓ Adolescents facilitate workshops and panel discussions
- ✓ 80% of participants are adolescents and youth, not adults
Promoting Healthy Masculinity
We recognize boys play an essential role in dismantling inequality. AGS creates intentional spaces for boys to learn about healthy masculinities and become allies in the movement.
- ✓ Dedicated sessions on positive masculinity
- ✓ Boys and girls co-creating solutions together
- ✓ Building male champions for gender equality
Intergenerational and Policy Dialogue
Connecting adolescents and youth with community leaders, policymakers, and funders to co-create solutions and drive policy change at local, national, and regional levels.
- ✓ Direct dialogue with community leaders and decision-makers
- ✓ Presentation of policy recommendations by adolescents and youth
- ✓ Building alliances across generations
Inclusive Spaces
Safe and inclusive spaces for connection, solidarity, and skill-building in leadership, advocacy, and gender justice.
Policy Advocacy
Adolescents and youth produce Call-to-Action documents outlining responsibilities for families, schools, governments, and regional bodies.
Grassroots Impact
Impact extends beyond the event, driving grassroots action and reinforcing adolescents' roles in shaping a more just future.
Real Stories
Transforming Lives, Strengthening Organizations
AGS is a catalyst for profound personal transformation and institutional change across West Africa
From Shy Girl to Fearless Leader
Gitta Brima, a 20-year-old from a rural community in Bo District, Sierra Leone, was elected by her peers to serve on the Regional Advisory Panel for the first AGS in 2022.
"Being part of the planning team enhanced my leadership skills and transformed me from a shy girl to an outspoken and fearless adolescent leader. The summit enlightened me on the negative consequences of female genital cutting and child marriage, practices that are prevalent in my community but promoted as part of the culture."
Her Journey After AGS:
- → Attended the 10th Africa Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Conference
- → Received funding to conduct community activities
- → Organized training for peers with support from CASE SALONE
- → Became an advocate against FGC and child marriage in her community
Partner: Center for Advocacy and Sustainable Empowerment (CASE SALONE), Sierra Leone
Building Capacity to Empower Girls
According to Mr. Mustapha Keita, Programme Manager at CASE SALONE, before AGS, the organization faced significant challenges in effectively engaging adolescent girls and nurturing their leadership capacities.
"The staff lacked the necessary knowledge and tools to support girls in making informed decisions that impact their lives. Additionally, there was a noticeable absence of adolescent girls' involvement in decision-making processes within the organization."
Institutional Changes Post-AGS:
- ✓ Teen Talk Program: Structured program empowering girls to assert their rights confidently
- ✓ Staff Training: Team equipped to effectively mentor and support girls on self-advocacy
- ✓ Youth Representation: Adolescents now serve on the organization's Advisory Board
- ✓ Decision-Making: Youth perspectives integral to organizational processes
"AGS served as a practical training ground, prompting comprehensive reassessment of our practices."
Voices from the Summit
Hear from Participants
"Before joining ADPF, I used to think that boys were superior to girls. I used to make sexist jokes and publish inappropriate pictures of girls on social media. But since I started participating in ADPF program and taking part in the AGS convenings, I changed my mindset. I respect and support girls to achieve their dreams and I am a strong advocate for gender justice."
Ble Noel
Age 17, ADPF Partner, Côte d'Ivoire
"I learned that as a leader, you must have the quality of self-awareness – knowing and accepting who you are before leading others. Adolescents must realize that this is their time, claim their space, recognize their power, and believe in their ability to change the world positively. I also learned that to excel, you must be ready to be uncomfortable; even when you feel tired, you must try to gather energy."
AGS 2024 Participant
West Africa Adolescent Girls Summit
From The Summit
Voices of Change
Music video developed by young activists from the 2024 Summit
AGS in Action
Capturing the Energy and Transformation
Adolescent leaders in discussion, community engagement, and workshop facilitation across Africa
Join the Movement
Get Involved
There are many ways to support and participate in the Adolescent Girls Summit
For Adolescents & Youth
If you are an adolescent girl or boy actively participating in gender justice, empowerment, or advocacy programs, you can become part of this transformative platform.
- • Apply to participate in the 2026 Summit
- • Join the Adolescent Influencers Movement
- • Lead planning committees in your country
- • Serve as a speaker or facilitator
For Organizations & Funders
Organizations, funders, and community partners play a crucial role in making AGS possible. We invite you to partner with us in creating the spaces and resources needed for adolescents to lead.
- • Fund pooling contributions for planning and execution
- • Sponsor adolescent participants from underrepresented communities
- • Provide technical expertise in gender justice or advocacy
- • Sponsor the Leadership Awards to celebrate youth impact
Our Main Partners
Collaborating for Change
These organizations have supported us from the very beginning, offering guidance, resources, and encouragement that have been instrumental in building our leadership capacity
Global Fund for Children
We were able to successfully kick off and sustain the AGS thanks to Global Fund for Children (GFC). GFC's consistent support ensures that adolescent and youth voices remain at the center of all decision-making, empowering young people to take ownership of the Summit and drive its agenda.
SAL-LIB Girls Power Movement
The consortium of GFC partner organizations in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Ghana plays a critical role in supporting and guiding adolescent girls, boys, and young people to lead the planning and execution of AGS.
Alliance Fleuve Mano pour l'Education des Filles
GFC's partner organizations in Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea play a vital role in empowering adolescent girls, boys, and young people to take the lead in planning and implementing the AGS.