Tag: IWD
The Interviews: Setting the Stage
The Interviews: Setting the Stage
By Maame Akua Marfo
In an empty classroom on the University Of Ghana’s Legon Campus, eight students are talking.
It’s the kind of exchange one would expect on what is arguably the nation’s premier university, but the topic is far from their daily classroom discussions. The topic is their life.
For International Women’s day this year the African Women’s Development fund is hosting a panel conversation focusing on sex and relationships and the concept of date rape on local university campuses. The topic is one that has been discussed at length both domestically and internationally. The Ghanaian public are already aware of just how brutal university campuses can be for young women – from the stripping of a suspected thief in Commonwealth hall, to the leaking of various sex tapes and private pictures, young women are often victimized in these spaces.
But from the outside it’s often hard to paint a real picture.
So before the discussion we gathered a group of young women and a few men to see what the landscape of their campus is to them– and how date rape, sexual abuse and gender-based violence find their way into what are presumed to be hallowed halls.
Over the course of the first hour it becomes clear that the students talking are reflective– a far cry from the apathetic trope tossed around when students are discussed. They care deeply, especially about this. They open up about their relationships – and the ones that happen around them, with a surprising ease.
“We were in class and the professor asked a question about how we think women should dress going to church. And this guy pipes up and starts talking about how as women when you go to church you have to dress well to attract the right kind of attention…you know? You’re looking for a husband and you don’t want to attract the wrong sort of man. Most of the girls in the class were offended. I mean what do you mean? Ghanaian girls everywhere we go we are looking for a husband. In a club. In church. In school. Everywhere,” N, a final year student, said.
To N there seemed to be a strange draw for long-term relationships which many girls presumed would lead to marriage, and there was a trend where a lot of the girls seemed to date older men. A few comments from the male participants made it clear that there were times when this was true on their end too. They described relationships were their fellow students would have a decisive say in the ways their girlfriends dressed and the way they did their hair– and the girls in turn would have a list of things they didn’t want their boyfriend to do– though it seemed the first list was more restrictive.
This need for long term relationships that mirror marriage can set a dangerous precedent. The large amount of pressure placed on these young women makes them susceptible to making choices that go against their best interest just to fit in better. It also makes them more likely to accept undesirable behavior from their spouses because catering to them becomes more than just a suggestion; it becomes a necessity.
One thing is clear however, these relationships aren’t the only kind on campus. There’s a hook up culture here too, though it’s often hidden to avoid public shame (for women). Men however seem to be encouraged to have multiple relationships with multiple girls.
To be continued
Meet Nana Nyarko Boateng, a poet and writer who performed at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
Meet Nana Nyarko Boateng, a poet and writer who performed at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]Nana Nyarko Boateng is a Writer, Poet, and a Social Entrepreneur. She writes and works to celebrate the human spirit and to promote our bottomless capacity for change. She has worked in Media as a Broadcast Journalist and a Newspaper Editor. She has also served in the Creative Arts and the Publishing industry as a Consultant, a Programs Executive, a Publishing Assistant and a Freelance Writer. She studied English and Political Science at the University of Ghana. Nana currently manages the Gird Center, a Resource and Publication Center based in Accra. She believes in breeding and spending beauty. Some of her writing and poetry has appeared in: Reflections: An Anthology; Lynne Rienner Publishers, United States, January 2013. Summoning The Rain, Anthology; Femrite, Uganda, May 2012. Look where you have come to sit, Anthology; Wolei Publishers, Ghana, March 2011. Defiled sacredness Anthology; Mensa Press, UK, September 2010. We are one from one place Anthology; Mensa Press, UK, September 2010.
See footage below of Nana Nyarko’s recital, reading and narration at the book slam held on International Women’s Day.[/tp]
[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Nana Boateng Nyarko est une écrivaine, poète, et un entrepreneur social. Elle écrit et travaille pour célébrer l’esprit humain et promouvoir notre capacité au changement de fond. Elle a travaillé dans les médias comme journaliste de radiotélévision et directeur de journal. Elle a également servi dans les arts créatifs et l’industrie de l’édition en tant que consultante, programmeur exécutif, assistante d’édition et rédacteur pigiste. Elle a étudié l’anglais et les sciences politiques à l’Université du Ghana. Nana gère actuellement le Centre Gird, un centre de ressources et de publication basée à Accra. Elle croit dans le développement et la diffusion de la beauté. Certains de ses écrits et de sa poésie sont parus dans: Reflexions: An Anthology; Lynne Rienner Publishers, États-Unis, Janvier 2013. Summoning The Rain, Anthology; Femrite, Ouganda, mai 2012. Look where you have come to sit, Anthology; Wolei Publishers, Ghana, Mars 2011. Defiled sacredness Anthology; Mensa Press, Royaume-Uni, Septembre 2010. We are one from one place Anthology; Mensa Press, Royaume-Uni, Septembre de 2010.
Voir ci-dessous des images du récit de Nana Nyarko, la lecture et la narration au ‘book slam’ se sont tenues lors de la Journée internationale des femmes.[/tp]
Meet Charlotte O’Neal aka ‘Mama C’ who will be performing at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
Meet Charlotte O’Neal aka ‘Mama C’ who will be performing at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]Mama C was greatly influenced in her early years by the jazz, blues and gospel that Kansas City is famous for and integrates elements of that experience in both her music and the rhythm of her poetry along with the African beats and hip hop vibe of her spirit.
She explores the reality of her life as a Diaspora born African who has lived most of her years in Tanzania in many of her poems, one of the most famous being “I Almost Lost Myself”.
“As a member of the Black Panther Party I was taught the importance of building international solidarity among all people while honoring my Ancestral roots. That philosophy has never changed and many of my poems and songs reflect this burning desire and mission to spread peace, love and unity through my art”, Mama C reflects. “The spontaneous release of love that comes from poetry and music and art, in general… that thing that binds us all together and builds solidarity and understanding among all people no matter where they are from or what language they speak, is like magic!”
Her song writing and performing talents have been showcased on stage, television and radio in many cities in Africa and in America during the annual UAACC Heal the Community Tour. She launched her book of poetry, Warrior Woman of Peace in 2008 and plans to launch her second book of poetry titled Life Slices…a Taste of My Heaven, in 2013. Mama C debuted several of her newest poems during the Poetry Africa Tour 2010 to Cape Town, South Africa; Harare, Zimbabwe and Blantyre, Malawi and the 14th Annual Poetry Africa Festival in Durban, all sponsored by the Creative Arts Center at University of kwaZulu Natal.
Mama C is Co Director along with George Kyomoshulu, of the newly established Arusha Poetry Club in Arusha, Tanzania which serves as a platform for East African poets and artists around the planet. She recently completed her 4th music/spoken word album produced at Peace Power Productions studio at UAACC and she has directed and appeared in several music videos featuring East African artists.
http://soundcloud.com/mamac2011
YouTube channel: mamacharlotteuaacc
Mama C and Pete O’Neal are the subjects of two award winning documentaries about their lives and activism including American Exile narrated by Hollywood actress Alfre Woodard and the PBS documentary, A Panther in Africa by Aaron Matthews and she is one of the featured artists along with M1 of deadprez in a newly released documentary on art and activism by Michael Wanguhu titled Ni Wakati. http://www.pbs.org/itvs/globalvoices/pantherinafrica.html
http://www.niwakatithefilm.com/[/tp]
[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Mama C a été grandement influencée dans ses premières années par le jazz, le blues et le gospel pour lesquelq Kansas City est célèbre et intègre des éléments de cette expérience à la fois dans sa musique et le rythme de sa poésie avec les rythmes africains et hip hop dans l’ambiance de son esprit.
Elle explore la réalité de sa vie comme une membre de la diaspora africaine qui a vécu la plupart de ses années en Tanzanie dans plusieurs de ses poèmes, l’un des plus célèbre étant “Je me suis presque perdue».
“Etre membre du Black Panther Party m’a enseigné l’importance de renforcer la solidarité internationale entre toutes les personnes, tout en respectant mes racines ancestrales. Cette philosophie n’a jamais changé et beaucoup de mes poèmes et des chansons reflétent ce désir ardent et la mission de répandre la paix, l’amour et l’unité à travers mon art “, Reflète Mama C. “La libération spontanée de l’amour qui vient de la poésie et de la musique et de l’art, en général … cette chose qui nous lie tous ensemble et construit la solidarité et la compréhension entre toutes les personnes, peu importe d’où ils viennent ou quelle langue ils parlent, est comme par magie!”
Son don d’écriture de chansons et ses talents scéniques ont été présentés sur scène, à la télévision et à la radio dans de nombreuses villes en Afrique et en Amérique pendant la tournée annuelle ‘UAACC Heal the Community ‘. Elle a lancé son livre de poésie, Warrior Woman of Peace en 2008 et prévoit de lancer son deuxième recueil de poésie Life Slices…a Taste of My Heaven, en 2013. Mama C a débuté plusieurs de ses poèmes les plus récents lors de l’Africa Poetry Tour en 2010 au Cap, Afrique du Sud; Harare, Zimbabwe et Blantyre, Malawi et lors du 14ème Festival Poésie annuel d’Afrique à Durban, tous parrainés par le Centre des arts créatifs de l’Université du KwaZulu Natal.
Mama C est codirectrice avec George Kyomoshulu, du nouvellement créé Arusha Poetry Club à Arusha, en Tanzanie, qui sert de plate-forme pour les poètes et les artistes africains de l’Est autour de la planète. Elle a récemment terminé son 4e album de musique / slam produit par Peace Power Productions studio a UAACC et elle a dirigé et joué dans plusieurs vidéos de musique mettant en vedette des artistes d’Afrique orientale.
http://soundcloud.com/mamac2011
YouTube channel: mamacharlotteuaacc
Mama C et Pete O’Neal sont les sujets de deux documentaires primés sur leur vie et leur activisme dont leur American Exile narré par l’actrice hollywoodienne Alfre Woodard et le documentaire de PBS, une panthère en Afrique par Aaron Matthews et elle est l’un des artistes présentés avec M1 avec deadprez dans un documentaire récemment publié sur l’art et l’activisme par Michael Wanguhu intitulé Ni Wakati
http://www.pbs.org/itvs/globalvoices/pantherinafrica.htmlhttp:/
Meet Poetra Asantewaa who will be performing at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
Meet Poetra Asantewaa who will be performing at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]We’re really pleased to have Poetra Asantewa on the bill for our International Women’s Day book slam, ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution‘. She has been described as “a sensational balance of poetry, intellect, wit, and high-mindedness”. Poetra is the kind of poet who captives an audience. Here’s a taster of one of Poetra’s poems below. To read more of Poetra’s poetry check out her blog.[/tp]
[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Nous sommes vraiment heureux d’avoir Poetra Asantewa sur le projet International Women’s Day book slam, «Femmes du monde: parlant d’une révolution». Elle a été décrite comme “un équilibre sensationnel de la poésie, de l’intellect, de l’esprit, et de la grandeur d’âme”. Poetra est le genre de poète qui captivent une audience. Voici un avant-goût de l’un des poèmes de Poetra ci-dessous. Pour lire la suite de la poésie de Poetra veuillez consulter son blog.[/tp]
Liberate She
Shiny cars, heavy jewelry and bottle-shaped figures delivered with a kiss
In your face they worship you for keeping your sons close
Turn around; you’re the 21st century emperor with his new clothes
You get a lot of love, cos you’re nature’s most endowed child
They smile and say they called the goldsmith but it’s the digger’s number they dialed
Seeds with extra layers of sugar is planted, and the basic coon is unable to refrain
So we work our veins instead of our brains;Hold our hands to our heads like Hades threatened to come on land
And complain bitterly with still no reasonable plan
Our leaders fight for the torch and preach about unification
Handover our torches in exchange for flashlights and call it liberation
How do you build hurdles on a lane that’s meant to be fast?
“Who jails society when it does horrors to the people?” – the one who emanates greatness asks?Is liberation ticking yes just because everyone says blood is red?
Or not worrying about what they all think and preparing for what lays ahead by being well read?
Dancing barefoot in the rain, hair in a mess?
Or clicking heels in a thousand and one bracelets?
Compromising your art for a stack of bills?
Or loving what you do and getting satisfaction refills?
The fine line between liberation and manipulation we thread it in with hard core ignorance
We’re blind to the writing on the wall, – “liberate your minds, ‘fore you use your hands”
‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’ Readings, Poetry and Music in Celebration of International Women’s Day
‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’ Readings, Poetry and Music in Celebration of International Women’s Day
[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The African Women’s Development Fund and Alliance Française (Accra) presents:
‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
Readings, Poetry and Music in Celebration of International Women’s Day’
7th & 8th March 2013
(15th February 2013, African Women’s Development Fund/Alliance Française (Accra):
‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’ is a series of special readings, poetry recitals and a jam session celebrating women artists during International Women’s Month.
At 7pm on 7th March 2013, attend a ‘Meet the Writers’ interactive session at Alliance Française (Accra) for a facilitated conversation with writers including:
- Charlotte O’Neal (Mama C), a visual artist and former Black Panther activist
- Monica Arac de Nyeko, whose story ‘Jambula Tree’ won the Caine Prize in 2007
- Mamle Kabu, author of ‘The End of Skill’ nominated for the Caine Prize in 2009, and whose book ‘The Kaya Girl’ won the 2011 Burt Award for African Literature in Ghana
- Kuukua Dzigbordi Yomekpe, whose essay ‘The Audacity to Remain Single: Single Black Women in the Black Church’ won the Marcella Althaus-Reid Award
- Famia Nkansa whose poem ‘This is not a whine for Africa’ was published in the Black Arts Quarterly by the Stanford University Committee on Black Perfoming Arts.
At 8pm on the 8th of March, International Women’s Day, the above writers will participate in a book slam at Alliance Française (Accra) with music by DJ Kess, Ghana’s leading woman DJ, alongside talented writers and poets including:
- Boakyewaa Glover, author of ‘Circles’
- Franka Andoh, whose short story ‘Mansa’ was published in the Caine Prize for African Writing 2009 edition
- Nana Akosua Hanson, a poet, writer and actress
- Nana Nyarko Boateng who’s writing and poetry has been featured in numerous anthologies including ‘Reflections’ and ‘Summoning the Rain’
- Poetra Asantewa, a spoken word artist who has been featured on Metro TV, TV3 and the OneShow.
Join Women of the World on the 7th & 8th of March in ‘Talking about a Revolution’.
# # #
About the African Women’s Development Fund
Over the past ten years, the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) has blazed a trail for women’s rights and philanthropy across the African continent. AWDF is an African, not for profit, grantmaking organisation. Since the start of operations in 2001, AWDF has provided over US$19 million in grants to 1014 women’s organisations in 42 African countries. AWDF’s grant making processes are uniquely designed to meet the needs of African women and activities include the provision of small and larger grants to African women’s organisations, capacity building support and a strong focus on advocacy and movement building.
AWDF:
Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah (Programme Officer for Communications)
Tel: +233 302 521 257 (Ghana)
Email: nana@africlub.net/awdf, Website: www.africlub.net/awdf
Alliance Française, (Accra):
Zipporah Magere Dawson (Head of Culture)
Tel: +233 302 760 278
Email: culturel@afaccra.com , Website: http://www.afaccra.com/
# # #
[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]
POUR DIFFUSION IMMÉDIATE
Le Fonds Africain de Développement De la Femme (AWDF) et l’Alliance Française (Accra) présentent:
«Les femmes du Monde: Parler d’une révolution»
Lectures, poésie et musique pour la célébration de la Journée internationale de la femme ‘
7 et 8 Mars 2013
(15 Février 2013, le Fonds Africain de développement de la femme / Alliance Française (Accra):
«Les femmes du Monde: Parler d’une révolution» est une série de lectures spéciales, des récitals de poésie et une jam session pour célébrer les femmes artistes durant le Mois de la femme.
À 19 heures, le 7 Mars 2013, assistez à une «Meet the Writers ‘session interactive à l’Alliance Française (Accra) pour une conversation facilité avec des écrivains, y compris:
Charlotte O’Neal (Mama C), artiste visuelle et ancienne militante des Black Panthers
Monica Arac de Nyeko, dont l’histoire ‘jambula Tree’ a remporté le Prix Caine en 2007
Mamle Kabu, auteure de «La Fin de Skill ‘nominé pour le Prix Caine en 2009, et dont le livre« La Fille Kaya »a remporté le prix Burt 2011 pour la littérature africaine au Ghana
Kuukua Dzigbordi Yomekpe, dont l’essai “l’audace de rester célibataire: célibataire femmes noires dans l’église noire” a remporté le Althaus-Reid Award Marcella
Famia Nkansa dont le poème «Cela ne veut pas un gémissement pour l’Afrique» a été publié dans la Quarterly Arts Noire par le Comité l’Université de Stanford sur le noir perfoming Arts.
À 20 heures le 8 Mars, Journée internationale de la femme, les écrivains-dessus participeront à un slam de livres à l’Alliance Française (Accra) avec de la musique par DJ Kess, DJ femme de tête du Ghana, aux côtés des écrivains et des poètes talentueux, y compris:
Boakyewaa Glover, auteur de «cercles»
Franka Andoh, dont la courte histoire «Mansa» a été publiée pour le Prix Caine pour l’édition africaine écriture 2009
Nana Akosua Hanson, un poète, écrivain et actrice
Nana Boateng Nyarko qui écrit de la poésie a été présentée dans de nombreuses anthologies y compris les «Réflexions» et «d’invocation de la pluie ‘
Poetra Asantewa, une artiste de spoken word qui a été présentée sur Metro TV, TV3 et la OneShow.
Rejoignez les femmes du monde sur le 7 et 8 Mars pour «Parler d’une révolution».
# # #
A propos du Fonds Africain de développement de la femme
Au cours des dix dernières années, le Fonds africain de développement de la femme (AWDF) a ouvert la voie pour les droits des femmes et de la philanthropie à travers le continent africain. AWDF est un organisme de subvention Africain, à but non lucratif. Depuis le début des opérations en 2001, AWDF a fourni plus de 19 millions de US $ en subventions à 1 014 organisations de femmes dans 42 pays africains. Les processus d’octroi de subventions de AWDF sont spécialement conçues pour répondre aux besoins des femmes africaines et les activités comprennent la mise à disposition des petites et grandes subventions aux organisations de femmes africaines, le soutien au renforcement des capacités et un fort accent sur la sensibilisation et le renforcement des mouvements.
AWDF:
Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah (Programme Officer for Communications)
Tel: +233 302 521 257 (Ghana)
Email: nana@africlub.net/awdf, Website: www.africlub.net/awdf
Alliance Française, (Accra):
Zipporah Magere Dawson (Head of Culture)
Tel: +233 302 760 278
Email: culturel@afaccra.com , Website: http://www.afaccra.com/[/tp]
Meet Kuukua Dzigbordi Yomekpe : Marcella Althaus-Reid Award winner who will be reading at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
Meet Kuukua Dzigbordi Yomekpe : Marcella Althaus-Reid Award winner who will be reading at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
Kuukua is one of the many talented writers who will be participating in AWDF and Alliance Francaise (Accra)’s book slam for International Women’s Day, 8th March. She will also be sharing her thoughts on writing, and providing insights into some of her experiences that has inspired her particular writing style.
She characterizes herself as a memoirist, essayist, and writer of social commentary. Kuukua is the author of several essays and prose poems. Some of her essays have been anthologized in: African Women Writing Resistance (UW Press), Becoming Bi: Bisexual Voices from Around the World (BRC), and Inside Your Ear (Oakland Public Library Press). Her essay, “The Audacity to Remain Single: Single Black Women in the Black Church,” won the Marcella Althaus-Reid Award for best “Queer Essay,” and is anthologized in Queer Religion II (Praeger Publishers). Her piece of creative non-fiction, “Where is Your Husband: Single African Women in the Diaspora and the Exploration/Expression of Sexuality” is due to be published shortly. She has participated in the Voices of Our Nation residency at UC Berkeley.
She has her hands in three projects currently: The Coal Pot, a Culinary Memoir celebrating her Ghanaian roots, Musings of an African Woman, her blog which features a collection of personal essays about immigration and assimilation, and The Innocents, an adolescent mystery novel. She hopes to compile an anthology of stories by adult children of immigrant parents sometime late 2013. Her scholarly and writing interests lie at the intersection of race and skin color, African culture, Black women’s bodies, expression of voice, and non fictional writing.
She avidly feeds a voracious travel bug that occupies the hinterlands of her soul, so is often found wandering various parts of the world. She has been feeding her love-hate affair with Ghana for the past 4 months.
Even though she’s struggling with the adjustment to Ghana—irregular availability of water and electricity, men’s sexist attitudes, and the Traffic (nothing can adequately capture it), her vision for the country requires that she deal with her own participation in the brain drain. For now, she is enjoying being Addidas, which in Twi means eating and sleeping and doing it all over again. In her case, the occasional memoir or blog post thrown in for color.
Meet Monica Arac de Nyeko, 2007 Caine Prize Winner who will be reading at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
Meet Monica Arac de Nyeko, 2007 Caine Prize Winner who will be reading at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
Monica Arac de Nyeko is a Ugandan writer. She was shortlisted for the Caine Prize for African writing in 2004 for ‘Strange Fruit, winning the prize in 2007 for ‘Jambula Tree’ which was described by the chair of judges, Jamal Mahjoub, as “a witty and touching portrait of a community which is affected forever by a love which blossoms between two adolescents”.
In celebration of International Women’s Month, Monica will be participating in 2 events with the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) and our partners Alliance Francaise (Accra). On Thursday 7th March Monica will join a panel of writers including Mamle Kabu, Mama C and Kuukua Yomekpe to hold a vibrant discussion on writing which will include sharing inspiration behind characters, experiences of writing, and may even include a tips for all the aspiring writers out there. On Friday the 8th of March, Monica will join writers, poets and a DJ in Ghana’s first ever book slam . This event costs GHC10 with proceeds supporting the work of AWDF.
“African Woman” by Lady Jay Wah featuring Sena Dagadu: A song commissioned by AWDF
“African Woman” by Lady Jay Wah featuring Sena Dagadu: A song commissioned by AWDF
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, AWDF is pleased to release ‘African Woman’. ‘African woman’ is performed by Lady Jay Wah of Pidgen Music, and the version below features the talented musician Sena Dagadu. All royalties from this song have been donated by the artists and Pidgen Music to AWDF’s thematic area of ‘Arts, Culture and Sports’. We thank all the musicians who have been involved in this process for their hard work and generosity.
Click link below to download the track:
Why we should celebrate ‘International Women’s Day’
Why we should celebrate ‘International Women’s Day’
“What’s the point in celebrating International Women’s Day?” a journalist asked me earlier today. “If there was no point in celebrating International Women’s Day would you be interviewing me?” was my instinctive response. It’s easy to ‘rubbish’ events like International Women’s Day but in my opinion marking such occasions (as well as the other occasions in the women’s rights calendar – 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence and World Aids Day for e.g.) are significant because:
- It is a day when women’s rights organisations can collectively organise to celebrate women’s achievements whilst assessing what remains to be done in the struggle for gender equality and social justice.
- Branding days as ‘International Women’s Day’ for e.g. focuses the attention of the public, and the media on issues of concern to women. Because of the occasion I have received a number of unsolicited calls from the media wanting my opinion on everything from female genital mutilation to the justification for International Women’s Day. Under normal circumstances I am the one chasing the media to highlight issues of concern to women but the lead up to this day is one of the few occasions where I find the situation reversed.
- It is a day when feminists and our supporters can celebrate our sisterhood. Yesterday in a twitter exchange my African feminist sister @sheroxlox excitedly said she had a gift for her #Afrifem (#Afrifem is the tag that a number of African feminists have agreed to use as a tag to highlight tweets of interest to other African feminists) sisters on International Women’s Day. I in turn excitedly responded that I also had a gift for my #Afrifem sisters. It may seem a small thing to the wider world but as an African feminist I appreciate having a day where the world chooses to focus attention on the issues that I deal with on a day to day basis.
Happy International Women’s Day
Nana Sekyiamah
Communications Officer, AWDF
International Women’s Day: Celebrating 50 Inspirational African Feminists
International Women’s Day: Celebrating 50 Inspirational African Feminists
This post is inspired by the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. There are quite a few IWD lists being published today, throughout the world. At AWDF, we canvassed our team and came up with our own list of 50 inspirational African feminists. We know that there are far, far more women than we could include in our list, but we wanted to at least make a start at celebrating the achievements of some of these great women – and we hope our friends will forgive us our omissions! Take a look and let us know who else you would have added.
