If there’s one thing that can ensure continuous economic, political, and social equality and inclusion for women across the African continent, it’s changing the narrative.
“We need to have ownership over our own narratives,” Danai Gurira told the audience as she spoke at a panel discussion on women’s empowerment at the inaugural TIME100 Africa Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday. The actor, playwright, and United Nations Women Goodwill Ambassador continued, “We have to embody our own paradigms. We have an unapologetic narrative that we need to share with the world.”
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Joining Gurira on the stage was Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the former President of the Republic of Liberia and Nobel Peace Prize laureate; and Sindy Zemura-Bernard, the founder and CEO of the Southern Africa Embrace Foundation.
Moderated by TIME’s senior international correspondent Aryn Baker, the discussion delved into how changing the narrative can in turn help to create—and access—more opportunities for women.
Sirleaf, the first female head of state on the African continent, outlined three imperatives: “I think we have to change the attitudes of men. Let’s see women as equal partners. … Secondly, is to increase the self confidence of women. Third thing is collective action—all women must come together to promote equity, equality, and opportunity for everyone. We know we face some pushback, but you’ll see that women have made much progress.”
Zemura-Bernard added: “Most of all, we need to invest; we need to implement; we also need to ensure that as women, we are supporting other women.”
Johnson Sirleaf, whose presidency of Liberia saw her dubbed as “Africa’s Iron Lady,” spoke about being a relentless advocate for peace and democracy even at the age of 85. The winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, Sirleaf has continued her activism through her Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development. Her efforts in mobilizing over $16 billion in foreign direct investment and lifting trade sanctions helped reestablish the country’s international reputation.
Read More: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Says the World Needs More Women Leaders
Zemura-Bernard, who wears multiple hats as a humanitarian, social entrepreneur and the CEO of the Southern Africa Embrace Foundation, said that her organization has been focused on leading the wellbeing of over twenty-five thousand vulnerable women, children, and youth in seven countries in Africa, including Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, South Africa, Malawi, Zimbabwe and recently expanding to Ghana and Nigeria.
For the first time ever, TIME has brought its iconic TIME100 franchise to Africa, bringing together international and regional leaders, influencers, and visionaries alongside members of the African TIME100 community for a daytime summit to discuss the solutions needed to build a better future and a gala to celebrate their accomplishments.
The TIME100 Summit Africa is sponsored by Visit Rwanda, Kigali International Financial Centre, and RwandAir.
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