I AM NALA

Key Topics Covered The emotional toll of childhood abuse and betrayal How grooming thrives in silence and cultural taboos The moment Amanda decided to name her abuser Writing as resistance: transforming memory into voice Why survivors don’t owe anyone forgiveness The justice system and the cost of speaking out Breaking generational silence and reclaiming agency What true healing looks like for Afr...

Key Topics Covered Surviving childhood sexual abuse and reclaiming her voice How growing up in Kibera shaped her activism and community approach Writing Pendo’s Power and the need for early conversations on body safety The generational impact of silence—and how parenting can disrupt it Building trust, safety, and open dialogue with her daughter Working with Freely In Hope to support survivors thro...

Key Topics Covered Growing up across Somalia, Italy, and Saudi Arabia—and experiencing FGM at age 7 The emotional and physical trauma of FGM, including its long-term impact during childbirth Why FGM must be recognized and prosecuted as child abuse, not cultural practice The role of language in policy, aid, and advocacy—reframing FGM, child marriage, and labiaplasty How patriarchy drives all forms...

Key Topics Covered Growing up in Khartoum and the women who shaped her voice The revolution, grassroots organizing, and youth-led research for change The outbreak of war and the immediate humanitarian response The gendered violence faced by Sudanese women—on an unimaginable scale Evacuating students, building trauma centers, and creating safe spaces How U.S. aid suspensions cripple life-saving wor...

Key Topics Covered Growing up in Khartoum while carrying the stories of Darfur The privilege of education and escaping FGM Researching the gender cost of war and women’s evolving roles in peacebuilding How grassroots women are preventing violence and negotiating peace—without recognition The war’s weaponization of women’s bodies and its racialized strategy The global silence and complicity fueling...

Key Topics Covered Living through genocide and the displacement of her family   The walk for peace across Sudan and what it symbolized   How tribal and cultural identities were deliberately fractured   Weaponizing gender-based violence as a tool of war   Survivor-led resistance and building humanitarian response networks   The dangers of oversimplified narratives about Sudan’s conflict   The revol...

 Key Topics Covered Luthando’s experience of sexual violence from childhood through adulthood The silence, manipulation, and isolation that often surround survivors of abuse Navigating trauma while leading advocacy and survivor-centered work The failure of systems and institutions to protect women and survivors Colonialism, apartheid, and the unfinished work of national healing in South Africa The...

In this raw and unforgettable episode of I AM NALA , host Aya Chebbi sits down with Somali-British activist and survivor Shamsa Arawil for an unflinching conversation about her experience with female genital mutilation (FGM), her journey of healing, and her mission to transform trauma into activism. Shamsa shares her graphic and deeply personal story of undergoing FGM at age six, the lifelong impa...

Episode Highlights: Her early years in Guinea and how cultural pride influenced her work. The creation of groundbreaking media projects like Top 10 and their impact on Guinean youth. The fight against cultural barriers through bold advocacy campaigns on gender justice. The importance of African-led storytelling in changing global narratives about the continent. Insights on using media as a tool fo...

Raissa’s upbringing between France and Morocco and how her Amazigh roots shape her dance and identity. The importance of storytelling and tribal meanings in North African traditional dances. Challenges of being a female dancer in conservative and often hyper-sexualized perceptions of dance. The erasure and revival of indigenous Amazigh culture through her choreography. Insights on motherhood, cult...

How Mame Anta's upbringing in Senegal shaped her values, identity, and artistic vision. The challenges of navigating cultural stereotypes as a Black African woman in the global fashion industry. Mame Anta's bold decision to merge her modeling career with activism, focusing on issues like representation and inclusivity. Her insights on blending traditional African aesthetics with modern fashion. A...

  Connect with Mpho Instagram @mphosebina ____________________________________________ Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective?  Website nalafem.org  Instagram @IamNala_podcast   Tiktok I AM NALA Podcast Facebook Nala Feminist Collective X (Twitter) @Nalafem YouTube Nala feminist Collective Linkedin Nala Feminist Collective Learn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how...

The story behind My Love Letter to Africa and how collaborating with five female artists across the continent celebrates unity and diversity. How Mpho’s unique “Setswana soul” sound blends her cultural heritage with contemporary music. The challenges of being an independent artist in Botswana, including the impact of limited monetization opportunities on platforms like YouTube. The healing power o...

Her bold decision to quit her corporate job just two weeks ago to pursue music full-time after years of juggling both careers The story behind her album "Gikundiro" (meaning "highly favored") and how she's using her voice as an instrument of healing Her powerful performance at the 30th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi, and the responsibility she feels to use music for peace and heal...

Episode Highlights: Lisa reveals how she used dance as her "superpower" to avoid bullying in boarding school, eventually becoming an entertainment prefect The viral uniform dance video that got her suspended but inadvertently helped change perceptions about dance in Ghana Breaking into a male-dominated dance style while staying true to herself and challenging gender norms How COVID-19 transformed...

In this episode, we openly talk politics in Namibia and the rise of the youngest minister in Africa. Emma shares about her childhood, the ever changing ICT sector and digital economy, Palestinians right to self determination and she also shares her gratitudes affirmations and haircare routine. She is an orchids lover.  Emma believes " The political space has written rules and unwritten rules, sile...

In this episode, we openly talk about the creative industry, manifesting Forbes 30 Under 30,  her travels and adventures, her childhood, co-creation from a place of knowing to social media as a space of entitlement.  You will also learn how to operationalize creatives and navigate the space.  Jena's mother encouraged an environment where she could simply ‘become’ which opened her to the world of ‘...

Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective?  Visit our website to learn how you can help: nalafem.org follow IG account @IamNala_podcast   Learn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations. nalafem.org/manifesto For collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org   

South African actress, producer, entrepreneur, spiritual activist and mother, Mona Monyane has a remarkable journey.  In this episode, we openly talk about feminism, relationships, divorce, spirituality, self awareness , connecting with the divine and being fully oneself. Mona shares how her ancestors awakened her from grief of the death of her baby 7 days after birth.  She talks of black women as...

Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective?  Visit our website to learn how you can help: nalafem.org follow IG account @IamNala_podcast   Learn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations. nalafem.org/manifesto For collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org 

Aisha Yesufu is an impact-led Nigerian socio-political reformer, civic & community development crusader, who consistently demands for good governance, fight for justice, fairness and equity and lend her voice in support of women safety and financial freedom.   In this episode she talks about BringBackOurGirls movement , EndSARS movement and her other good trouble. She unpacks how poverty has been...

No one picks up the phone and say “ Hi Serisha how are you doing”? This episode shows an authentic and honest conversation with Serisha Barrat who felt crippled but found light in the darkness in an incredible journey.  Serisha started her first business at 17 and since then she’s been a successful entrepreneur with multiple companies. She tells the story of how she mimicked her boss and eventuall...

Nadia Ahmed Abdalla, served as Deputy minister ( Chief Administrative Secretary) from 2020 to 2022, Ministry of ICT, Innovation & Youth Affairs of Kenya  Coming from Kenya’s coast, she was appointed to Kenya’s government as the youngest in the administration. She is sharing in this episode her learnings from her time in government and the perception of people about being young and female. People d...