EU and Ballanta Academy Launch National Music Competition to End Gender-Based Violence

The European Union (EU) Delegation to Sierra Leone, in partnership with the Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts, launched a national music competition on 3 October 2025, to amplify efforts to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against women and girls under the theme “Unite to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls.”

The initiative uses music to raise awareness, excite public dialogue and mobilize communities against all forms of abuse, with special focus on harmful and emerging practices in the digital space. The competition serves as a lead-in to the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (25 November–10 December) and seeks to engage youth as agents of cultural change.

EU Ambassador to Sierra Leone Jacek Jankowski said Gender-Based Violence remains a major human rights challenge, worsened by new forms of online abuse such as cyberstalking, image-based abuse and digital threats. He warned that these violations undermine women’s participation in public life and democratic inclusivity and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to combating GBV through partnerships such as the Spotlight Initiative.

Dr. Julius Spencer, Chairman of Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts, praised the collaboration and emphasized the role of young people in driving behavioral and cultural change. He noted progress in Sierra Leone on GBV laws and advocacy but warned that digital abuse remains a pressing concern. He expressed hope that the music competition will become an annual campaign and expand to include other art forms such as dance and drama.