African Human Rights Short Story Prize: IHRAF Publishes Winning Entries

 

AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS SHORT STORY PRIZE: IHRAF PUBLISHES WINNING ENTRIES

 

By Wole Adedoyin

The International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF) is delighted to announce the publication of the winning entries for the African Human Rights Short Story Prize. This prestigious competition, which aims to highlight the power of storytelling in promoting human rights and social justice, received an overwhelming response from talented writers across the African continent.

The three outstanding entries named after esteemed individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of human rights have been recognized and awarded accordingly. The winners of the African Human Rights Short Story Prize are as follows:

1. Steve Biko Prize ($100): Victor Damilola Garuba for "Water Maid"
2. Prof. Pius Adesanmi Prize ($75): Chukwu Sunday Abel for "You Are a Criminal"
3. Binyavanga Wainaina Prize ($50): Olusoji Obebe for "At the End of the Rainbow"

These remarkable stories captivated the judges with their compelling narratives, thought-provoking themes, and profound exploration of human rights issues. Each winner has received their well-deserved monetary prize, and their works have been published on the IHRAF website, ensuring their reach to a global audience.

To access and engage with the winning stories, readers are encouraged to visit the following links:

First Prize: Steve Biko Prize VICTOR DAMILOLA GARUBA: "Water Maid" [Link: https://bit.ly/3CTQA1T]

Second Prize: Prof. Pius Adesanmi Prize CHUKWU SUNDAY ABEL: "You Are a Criminal" [Link: https://bit.ly/3XEF9ow]

Third Prize: Binyavanga Wainaina Prize OLUSOJI OBEBE: "At the End Of The Rainbow" [Link: https://bit.ly/44nlMlS]

The International Human Rights Art Festival commends all participants for their exceptional creativity and dedication to advancing human rights through the power of storytelling. The African Human Rights Short Story Prize serves as a platform to amplify diverse voices and shed light on critical issues affecting African communities.

IHRAF remains committed to fostering dialogue, raising awareness, and inspiring action through artistic expression. By celebrating the winners of the African Human Rights Short Story Prize, IHRAF aims to encourage writers and artists to continue their vital role in advocating for human rights, justice, and equality.

For further information about IHRAF and its initiatives, please visit [www.ihraf.org].

10 Writers Shortlisted for the African Human Rights Short Story Prize

 

10 WRITERS SHORTLISTED FOR THE AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS SHORT STORY PRIZE

 

By Wole Adedoyin

The organizers of the African Human Rights Short Story Competition have announced the shortlist of exceptional entries for the recently concluded International Human Rights Short Story Competition. The competition aimed to promote human rights values in Africa and positively influence the improvement of the human rights situation on the continent.

The shortlist was selected from 20 longlisted entries by Ugochukwu Anadị. Ugochukwu Anadị is an avid reader and writer. Anadị's fiction, poetry, and prose have been published by reputable platforms such as Afapinen, ANA Review, Afreecan Read, Afritondo, Africa in Words, Brittle Paper, Conscio Magazine, Kalahari Review, and Isele Magazine, among others. He currently serves as the Book Review Editor at Afreecan Read and has been longlisted for the Africa@2050 Climate Fiction Contest. Anadị's fiction was also named a finalist for the Ikéngà Prize for Short Story. In 2020, he won the IHRAF's Nelson Mandela Peace Prize for the best essay on Human Rights in Africa. He is currently engaged in critical reading of African Literature and Queer Studies.

The winners of the African Human Rights Short Story Writing Competition will be announced on June 22, 2023. The first-place winner will receive a prize of $100 (endowed in hour of Late Steve Biko Prize), the second-place winner will receive $75 (endowed in honour of Late Prof. Pius Adesanmi Prize), and the third-place winner will receive $50 (endowed in honour of Binyavanga Wainaina Prize).

Below is the complete shortlist:

1. "At the End of the Rainbow" by Olusoji Obebe
2. "Bobina" by Stephen Adinoyi
3. "Caught in the Web" by Martha Shigaba
4. "Gloom" by Idise Efemena Perpetual
5. "Heaven" by Patience Bello Peterson
6. "The Head Breaker" by Testimony Odey
7. "Uncut" by Nasiru Munirat Ozohu
8. "Untold Woes" by Elizabeth Aduragbemi Akinmutola
9. "Water Maid" by Victor Damilola Garuba
10. "You Are a Criminal" by Chukwu Sunday Abel

The African Human Rights Short Story Competition is an initiative of the International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF), based in the USA, with the aim of promoting and supporting the realization of human rights in Africa.

Twenty Short Story Writers Make African Human Rights Short Story Prize Longlist

 

TWENTY SHORT STORY WRITERS MAKE AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS SHORT STORY PRIZE LONGLIST

 

By: Wole Adedoyin

The African Human Rights Short Story Prize is proud to announce the longlist of its esteemed literary competition. Out of the Seventy English-language submissions received, Twenty Short Story Writers from across Africa have been selected for the longlist. The rigorous process of selecting the longlist was carried out by Gabriel Sunday Afolayan, a renowned literary expert and judge for the competition.

To learn more about Gabriel Sunday Afolayan, please visit his profile at https://ihrafafrica.blogspot.com/2023/01/gabriel-sunday-afolayan-and-tom-block.html.

According to Gabriel Sunday Afolayan, the selected stories, presented in two volumes of a 406-page document, showcase a diverse range of narratives that tackle the intricate themes of human rights in Africa. It is important to note that the longlist is arranged in the sequence of their appearance and not according to their quality, as all the selected works are considered to be of high caliber.

While some entries seemed to have been hastily packaged for the purpose of the competition, lacking proper plot structure, literary devices, and editing, the organizers urge aspiring writers to invest time in honing their craft. The African Human Rights Short Story Prize encourages authors to revise their works, seek expert feedback, and refine their stories to achieve their full potential.

Nonetheless, the longlist serves as a testament to the exceptional talent that Africa possesses. The works presented here demonstrate that African writers, both emerging and established, can rival and surpass their global counterparts with their literary prowess.

The African Human Rights Short Story Prize has consistently been a beacon of light in addressing human rights issues that pervade the African continent. The organizers are commended for their unwavering commitment to promoting human rights through the medium of literature.

Submissions for the competition were received from eight countries, including Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Malawi, USA, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Pakistan, and Ghana.

As the African Human Rights Short Story Prize progresses, the next phase will see the shortlisting of finalists. The shortlisted stories will undergo further scrutiny.

Find below the complete longlist:

 

1. Diary of a First Daughter By Busayo Fakunle

2. The Libertarian Slave By Timbsara Augustine Laurence

3. Heaven By Patience Bello Peterson

4. At the End of the Rainbow By Olusoji Obebe

5. Caught in the Web By Martha Shigara

6. Water Maid By Victor Damilola Garuba

7. You are a Criminal By Chukwu Sunday Abel

8. She Died in the Midst of Plenty By Nwakpa Gilbert Arinze

9. The Trap of Tradition By Oladele Babajamu

10. Marry Me When I am Older By Chigozie A. Mbadugba

11. Leaks and Stains By Lade Ajayi

12. Dejected By Johanna Ataman

13. Gloom By Idiase Efemena Perpetual

14. I will be Good By Mimi Uguemo Samuel

15. Little Sister By Enitan Abdultawab

16. Untold Woes By Elizabeth Aduragbemi Akinmutola

17. The Head Breaker By Testimony Odeh

18. Bobina By Stephen Adinoyi

19. Barricaded By Isidinma Nnmadi

20. Uncut By Nasiru Munirat Ozohu