What Girls Want: A Podcast

In this episode, we spoke to two intersex activists Nwangwu Ogechukwu Edora, also known as Kay, from Nigeria and Sammie Macjessie from Malawi! We reflected on and unpacked their personal experiences as intersex people; the experiences of intersex people in Nigeria and Malawi; how the feminist movement can be more inclusive of intersex people and their experiences; the effects of the anti-choice, a...

  We spoke to Teresia, ATHENA’s partnership and Capacity Strengthening Advisor in this episode. And Zoe, the Tanzanian #WhatGirlsWant focal point.    They reflected on how the HIV movement landscape has changed and evolved over the years; challenges people living with HIV face today; the importance of intergenerational partnerships and collaborations; the different experiences of adolescent girls,...

Sex work refers to services provided to clients where the exchange of sex, sexual acts and/or intimacy are negotiated for payment or gifts. Sex work is always consensual and between consenting adults. It is not always physical or done in person. Different forms of sex work include pornographic film acting, peepshow performers, escort services, sexual surrogates, phone sex, sexting, cam work and ph...

On this episode we introduce you to two of our phenomenal new #WhatGirlsWant focal points. Nadene Msekiwa from Zimbabwe and Ngozichukwu Chukwuma from Nigeria! We unpack and journey with them on their feminist journey, explore intersectional feminism and the inclusion of LBTQIA+ people, the painful consequences of the lack of access to safe abortion services, the power of storytelling as an advocac...

On this episode we will be speaking to one of our focal points, Lilian Mbuthi our #WhatGirlsWant country focal point from Kenya.  We spoke about gendered glass ceilings, the gendered impacts of the floods; how the anti-rights, anti-gender and anti-choice movement is thriving through misinformation campaigns; coalition building; the power of collaborations and partnerships; and the power of interge...

On today's episode we spoke to two feminist activists and #WhatGirlsWant focal points. Welisane from Cameroon and Christina from Tanzania.  They reflected on their experiences as feminist activists; misconceptions about feminism; gendered glass ceilings; patriarchal norms; how political unrest disrupts sexual reproductive health and HIV responses; mobilisation strategies; using technology and...

On today’s episode we spoke to two feminist activists and #WhatGirlsWant focal points. Nadia April from Namibia and Esenam Amuza from Ghana.  They reflected on what inspired them to become feminists; the importance of research to drive evidence-based advocacy; the implications of the lack of education and information about sexual reproductive health and rights; harmful cultural gendered norms and...

For IWD 2024, ATHENA Network, in partnership with UNAIDS and UN Women,  co-hosted a virtual intergenerational dialogue. The conversation spotlighted the gendered implications and intersections between poverty, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and other structural drivers of gender inequality. We wanted to explore how the feminist movement can play a role in pushing for policies and practices that uplift wom...

On this episode our guests Nonkosi Xaba from South Africa and Amera Mojahed from Saudi Arabia reflected on how we can use feminist research to understand systemic forms of oppression and suppression so that we can address them from the root; how we can use feminist research to decentralise power and knowledge; and how we can use feminist research as a tool for illuminating the voices and experienc...

On this episode Yvonne Mudthoni from Kenya and Godiva Akullo from Uganda discussed the recently enacted Ugandan anti-gay bill, the different ways criminalising homosexuality and homosexual acts affect people’s lives and experiences, colonialism and how our guests continue to find the will to mobilise despite constantly having to navigate violence. Keep up to date with ATHENA via... Our website Fac...

In this episode, we explore the funding landscape for feminist organisations. We speak about how the lack of funding and resource mobilisation skills affect our organisations, how funding can be used to decentralise power by supporting the work we do, what feminist funding looks like, and why it is important to fund feminist organisations.  Irene Garoes from Namibia and Afia Precious Simpande from...

In the first episode of season two we respond to new patterns of movement and resistance by exploring the nuances of care and self-preservation for feminists within movements. We explore how feminists and feminist movements can reject the fractured commodified individualistic care and adopt care strategies and models that are holistic and communal. Xina Scullard from South Africa and Elidah Maita...

Digital activism refers to the use of electronic communication technologies such as social media, e-mail, and podcasts for various forms of activism to enable faster and more effective communication and mobilising. ATHENA  has been tapping into the power and potential of digital activism to amplify the voices and experiences of AGYW and young gender-diverse people in Eastern and Southern Africa. W...

According to UNFPA, The East and Southern Africa region has high rates of sexual violence against girls, women and gender-diverse people. In seven countries, around 20 % of those aged 15 to 24 years reported they had experienced sexual violence from an intimate partner. Sexual violence against early adolescents aged 15 years and below is highest in the conflict and post-conflict countries. Fahe Ke...

AGYW and gender-diverse people in Eastern and Southern Africa are among those most affected and vulnerable to HIV transmissions. According to UNAIDS in 2020 they accounted for 50% of people living with HIV and 6 in seven new infections among adolescents between 15 and 19 years. Also, around 4 200 AGYW and gender-diverse people are infected with HIV every week. Increasing access to HIV prevention,...

The debate on decolonisation of global health and funding has become increasingly prominent over the last couple of years. ATHENA Network’s Director of Programmes Catherine Nyambura spoke to Emma Holten about decolonising aid. What it means within a feminist context. What power works. And rebalancing the power between funders and grantees to ensure that support and resources go to those doing the...

Adolescent girls, young women and gender diverse people in Eastern and Southern Africa experience difficulties in accessing contraception services and a lack of knowledge regarding to the different options available. This is a result of negative social norms and the lack of comprehensive sexuality education.  #WhatGirlsWant Lilian Benjamin Mwakyosi from the United Republic of Tanzania and Nyasha M...

Although there has been a global rise in advocacy aimed at promoting and protecting LGBTQIA+ people’s rights there is still a lot of work to be done, particularly on the African continent. More than half of African countries have outlawed homosexuality, bisexuality and being trans or gender-diverse. Adolescent girls and young women continue to mobilise and put on governments to acknowledge the uni...

Across the African continent, menstruation remains covered in shame, ignorance and misconceptions. This reality negatively affects the dignity, education and health of people who menstruate.  Many of them are isolated when they are menstruating, and subjected to harmful cultural and religious practices, and stigma. ATHENA #WhatGirlsWant focal points Nthabeleng Tsekalle from Lesotho and Robinah Bab...

Introducing a new podcast, #WhatGirlsWant, hosted by Olaoluwa Abagun and brought to you by Athena network.