Her “sisters” are the ten protagonists of the digital campaign called "The Voice of Resilient Women", led by UNESCO Dakar, which started with two webinars in August 2020. The campaign aims at promoting gender equality in West African cultural sector during the pandemic.
These resilient women: , , , , Salimata Diop, , , , aka Zeïnixx and ; are digital artists, photographers, fashion designers, curators, cultural managers, musicians, graffiti artists, slammers, but also models, activists, business leaders, influencers, friends, colleagues, mothers, sisters. These very impressive and multitalented individuals are all African women from Mali and Senegal.
The message they want to share is clear – they want to raise their voices together to show that no one can put them into a box where they are stereotyped. "For me, there are no such thing as men's jobs or women's jobs," says Fatoumata Diabaté, President of the Malian Association of Women Photographers.
Khadidia Djigo, Manager of Canal Olympia Senegal added to this by calling on each woman to "go beyond her own limits and those imposed on us by society". This sentiment shared by Khadidia is common and is echoed by some of her sisters. "We [as women] must never allow ourselves to be locked in the gaze of the other [instead] if you have a vision, believe in yourself and do not accept any compromise" added Salimata Diop, a curator.
These Resilient Women are facing the COVID-19 pandemic situation holding their heads up high, even if the health crisis has been synonymous with a slowdown in their activity. Rama Diaw, a Saint-Louisian stylist and fashion designer, pointed out that "this pandemic is pushing us to adapt to new ways of doing things and to change our ideas”. As she launches a virtual photo exhibition, Ina Thiam shares her commitment :
The webinars organized last August, followed by the publication of the portraits of these Resilient Women on social networks have reached a million internet users. "This sharing platform allows us to express ourselves together and inspire future generations" explains Daba Sarr. "It was a beautiful campaign that had a lot of impact and allowed us to address central issues on the emancipation of women in West African creative sector also showing the enthusiasm of the audience for the theme" concludes Fatima Bocoum, exhibition curator.
To carry on the movement, the Resilient Women launched #WeAreYennenga challenge on Facebook and Instagram to rally women in the cultural sector and people sensitive to the cause around the emblematic figure of the Mossi Princess .
This story is not over yet: it is now your turn to participate in the challenge, together let’s ring out the "Voice of Resilient Women" with the #WeAreYennenga.
