Voices of Strength: Women Youth Activists empowering Africa.

In a world where challenges persist, these remarkable women are forging a path towards a better future. Through unwavering dedication and innovative approaches, they are tackling pressing issues head-on, with a resolute focus on women empowerment.

1.Vanessa Nakate: Africa's voice for Climate change.

Vanessa Nakate (27),a passionate climate activist from Uganda, has emerged as a prominent voice for climate justice in Africa. Vanessa has been instrumental in highlighting the devastating impact of the climate crisis on the global south, particularly Africa, which often goes unnoticed by world leaders and media. She founded the Rise Up climate movement and Green Schools Project, aiming to transition schools in Uganda to solar energy.

Her advocacy extends to the intersection of racial justice and climate justice, emphasizing that Africa, despite emitting minimal carbon, bears the brunt of climate change caused by the greed of others.

Vanessa's global recognition surged when she was unjustly cropped out of a photo featuring Greta Thunberg and other activists, sparking a conversation about racism in media coverage. She has received numerous accolades, including being named in the BBC's 100 Women and TIME magazine's Time100 Next. She has spoken at international events, urging world leaders to recognize climate change as a crisis affecting poverty, hunger, disease, and violence. Vanessa Nakate's relentless dedication to climate justice has earned her a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador role, making her a powerful force for positive change on the global stage.

2.Stacy Owino: Tech Innovator fighting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Stacy Owino's remarkable journey against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) began as a high school student participating in Kenya's Technovation Challenge. Alongside her team, known as "The Restorers," Stacy embarked on a mission to develop a mobile application that could protect girls from the practice of FGM.

What drove Stacy was the realization that girls needed a tool to easily reach out for help and support. FGM is a deeply entrenched cultural practice in many East African communities, and she wanted to break this harmful cycle.Stacy's work is essential in challenging the cultural norms and practices that perpetuate FGM in East African communities and beyond. Her commitment to protecting the bodily autonomy of women and girls and her contributions to the field of STEM make her a prominent and inspiring young activist.

Stacy's innovative spirit and determination led to the creation of the iCut app, a lifeline for girls facing the threat of FGM. Her journey from a high school project to a global advocate showcases the power of youth-led initiatives in addressing critical issues like gender-based violence.

One of Stacy's remarkable achievements is her representation of Africa on the Youth Sounding Board for the European Commission. In this role, she helps guide the commission's perspectives on future decisions related to youth and activism. Her dedication and innovative approach to combating FGM have earned her recognition on a global scale.

3. Lydia Charles Moyo: Empowering Tanzania's young women.

Lydia Charles Moyo is a dynamic force for change in Tanzania. As the founder and Executive Director of Her Initiative, an inspiring NGO, she's on a mission to empower young women and girls to escape the grip of poverty and thrive in a world of gender equality. Lydia's journey began when she witnessed the struggles of girls in her community during her high school days. It moved her to take action.

Through Her Initiative, she's creating a platform for girls to shine. They receive training on their rights, economic empowerment, and even seed funding to kickstart their businesses while saving for education. Lydia passionately believes that true sustainable development can only be achieved when women's rights are fully realized.

Lydia firmly believes that sustainable development hinges on realizing women's rights and advocates for robust social protection programs and policies. She encourages young women to unite, take career paths that make a positive impact, and advocate for the rights of women and girls.

4. Christie Banda: A Warrior Against Gender-Based Violence

Christie Banda's journey as an activist against gender-based violence was ignited by a traumatic childhood experience. At just 9 years old, she witnessed her aunt endure constant physical and verbal abuse from her husband. This early exposure to the devastating effects of domestic violence fueled her determination to make a difference.

Today, as the head of the Foundation for Civic Education and Social Empowerment (FOCESE), a youth-led organization in Malawi, Christie is on a mission to combat gender-based violence in her community. She actively engages with local leaders to raise awareness and take action against this pervasive issue. Christie's work also involves educating boys and men on preventing abuse while providing survivors with safe spaces. Her organization equips survivors with valuable tailoring skills and offers them loans to start small businesses, empowering them to regain control over their lives.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Christie has observed a troubling increase in cases of sexual gender-based violence, especially among young girls due to school closures. She highlights the urgent need for education, economic empowerment, and women's decision-making power in households as essential tools to empower vulnerable women and girls.

Christie's advice to young people is clear and powerful: unite and demand change. She emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about the devastating impact of gender-based violence, sharing real-life stories, and prioritizing education as a means to break the cycle. Christie firmly believes that everyone, from community leaders and religious figures to men and boys, has a role to play in ending gender-based violence.

5. Damilola Odufuwa & Odunayo Eweniyi: Leading the Feminist Movement.

Damilola Odufuwa and Odunayo Eweniyi are dynamic activists and entrepreneurs hailing from Nigeria. As co-founders of the Feminist Coalition, they have dedicated their efforts to championing women's rights, safety, financial equality, and political representation in Nigerian society. The Feminist Coalition emerged as a powerful force during the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria, raising donations in Bitcoin to provide protesters with medical assistance, legal aid, and mental health support.

Beyond their advocacy work, Damilola and Odunayo have made significant strides in the business world. They co-founded Backdrop, an app that allows users to discover and share locations worldwide, contributing to economic empowerment. Their commitment to creating opportunities for Black women, promoting financial freedom, and achieving gender equality is evident in their multifaceted approach to activism and entrepreneurship. Through their leadership and unwavering dedication, Damilola Odufuwa and Odunayo Eweniyi are driving positive change and amplifying the voices of women in Nigeria.

"The empowerment of women is the real game-changer for Africa's future." – Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization