HERstory Archives - She is Africa

Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s First Female Prime Minister

Danayi — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 11:57:30 +0000

Sanae Takaichi is the first female Prime Minister of Japan (assumed office on 21 October 2025). She was elected prime minister by the Japanese parliament after her party, Liberal Democratic Party, formed a coalition with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party. Takaichi’s ascent shatters a symbolic barrier in one of the world’s most powerful economies. She […]

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Sarraounia Mangou

Danayi — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 13:26:08 +0000

Sarraounia means queen or female chief in the Hausa language. To the predominantly Azna people of Lougou and surrounding Hausa towns and villages, the term refers to a lineage of female rulers who exercised both political and religious power. Sarraounia Mangou was the most famous of the Sarraounias, due to her resistance against French colonial […]

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Kirsty Coventry: First woman IOC president

Danayi — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 14:22:28 +0000

Today we celebrate Kirsty Coventry Seward who is set to be the 10th president of the International Olympic Committee (from June 2025). She is the first woman and the first African to be elected to that position. Kirsty Leigh Coventry Seward (née Coventry; born 16 September 1983) is a Zimbabwean politician, sports administrator and retired competitive […]

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African Warriors

Danayi — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 11:38:15 +0000

The Dahomey kingdom was heavily guarded by an all female warrior brigade- the Dahomey Warriors or N’Nonmiton (meaning “our mothers” in Fon language) or ahosi (king’s wives). They were named Amazons by Western Europeans who encountered them, due to the story of the female warriors of Amazons in Greek mythology. They fiercely defended their kingdom against […]

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Women’s Day: Women Taking Up Space

Danayi — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Taking up space as a women often means being unnecessarily apologetic or playing your talents down. Today, as we celebrate Women’s Day, we honour women taking up space in history and current times. Women taking up space in decolonizing Africa We honour the ancient queens of Africa who ruled their kingdoms and squared off with […]

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International Day of Women & Girls in Science

Danayi — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 08:00:00 +0000

11 February is International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The day celebrates women and girls who have devoted themselves to science and the advancement of human knowledge and understanding as students, researchers, and practitioners in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. The day is celebrated for a good reason. Women make up only 28% of the workforce in STEM. Further, […]

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Frene Ginwala

Danayi — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 12:00:00 +0000

Today, 13 January 2023, Frene Noshir Ginwala, an important figure in establishing democracy in South Africa, has died at the age of 90(born 12 April 1932). She played a tremendous role in establishing underground escape routes for ANC (African National Congress) members in the period following the Sharpeville massacre and the declaration of the State of Emergency (SOE) in 1960. These […]

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Magdalena Andersson, Sweden’s first female Prime Minister

Danayi — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 10:01:12 +0000

Magdalena Andersson (54) had been elected as Sweden’s first female prime minister, again! She will be joining this list of female presidents around the world. On 24 November 2021, Andersson had been elected as prime minister but chose to resign after an announcement by her coalition partner, the Green Party, that they were leaving the […]

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African Queens

Danayi — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 14:00:40 +0000

These African Queens’ legacies of strength and wisdom continue to live on African soil. Ndaté Yalla Mbodj Ndaté Yalla Mbodj (Senegal-French, or Ndateh Yalla Mbooj, Gambia-English, (c. 1810 — 1860 or 1814—1856) was the last great Lingeer (Queen) of Waalo, one of the four Wolof kingdoms of Senegambia located in what is now North-West Senegal. Ndaté […]

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African women winners at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics

Danayi — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 07:30:18 +0000

The 2020 Paralympics were held from 24 August to 5 September 2021 in Tokyo, Japan showcasing exceptional sports ability. Here is a list of African women medal winners: Raoua Tlili, Tunisia, Gold, Athletics Women’s Discus Throw and Women’s Shot Put Nourhein Belhaj Salem, Tunisia, Silver, Athletics Women’s Shot Put Somaya Bousaid, Tunisia , Bronze , […]

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Africa’s women freedom fighters: Jane Lungile Ngwenya

Danayi — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 12:00:16 +0000

Jane “NaBigboy” Lungile Ngwenya was born in Njanja, Buhera in Manicaland, Zimbabwe on June 15, 1935 and died in Bulawayo on August 5, 2021. She dedicated her life to fighting for Zimbabwe’s freedom. As a little girl, Ngwenya was interested in politics. She was expelled from school in Standard 6 when she asked whether heaven […]

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Women presidents in Africa

Danayi — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 08:00:12 +0000

Women are powerful agents of change. Around the world, women leaders are driving pandemic recovery to achieve an inclusive and equal future for all. Little girls and boys need to see more African women presidents to show that girls and women can do anything they put their minds to. Here is a list of women […]

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Women presidents in the world

Danayi — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 08:00:08 +0000

Elizabeth Truss, United Kingdom, in office since 6 September 2022. President Draupadi Murmu, India, in office since 25 May 2022. President Katalin Éva Novák, Hungary, in office since 10 May 2022. President Xiomara Castro, Honduras, in office since 27 January 2022. Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, Sweden, in office since 30 November 2021. President Sandra Mason, […]

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Naomi Mataʻafa : first woman Prime Minister of Samoa

Danayi — Mon, 24 May 2021 13:41:51 +0000

Prime Minister Mata’afa is a hardworking and seasoned politician, and now is the first female Prime Minister of Samoa. She served her country since 1985. She was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Samoa in the 1985 election, representing the constituency of Lotofaga previously held by her mother. She has been re-elected in every election since, and is one […]

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African women freedom fighters (part 4)

Danayi — Tue, 04 May 2021 07:23:53 +0000

Today we continue to the series on African freedom fighters as we celebrate 2 young African icons of liberty who dedicated their lives to ensuring freedom for all Africans. Aline Sitoe Diatta Aline Sitoe Diatta (also Aline Sitow Diatta and Alyn Sytoe Jata; 1920 – 1944) was a 20-year old Senegalese heroine and freedom fighter […]

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Samia Suluhu Hassan : first woman president of Tanzania

Danayi — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 14:30:40 +0000

Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan bore the difficult task to announce the death of President John Magufuli. Now she is set to the president! In 2000, Hassan joined politics. She was elected as a special seat member to the Zanzibar House of Representatives and was appointed a minister by President Amani Karume. She was the […]

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Quotes by African women leaders #IWD2021

Danayi — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 00:10:53 +0000

International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women, who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. Today we are celebrating by sharing quotes by African women leaders, their leadership is paving […]

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Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala : first woman and first African as WTO Director

Danayi — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 06:44:41 +0000

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the first women and first African to be appointed as the Director of the World Trade Organisation. Founded in 1995, the WTO has finally showed signs of inclusivity in their leadership profile. Born in June 1954, Okonjo-Iweala is a Nigerian economist and international development expert. Previously, Okonjo-Iweala spent a 25-year career […]

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HERstory | African women standing up for justice

Danayi — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 07:40:09 +0000

Around the world, girls and women are rising up to guard human rights, democracy and equality. Today, the spotlight is on two African women who are risking everything to make a stand for justice and democracy on the continent. We are inspired by their bravery and resolve to defend citizens and human rights. Beatrice Mtetwa […]

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African women in peace and security

Danayi — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 06:30:40 +0000

The world needs more women in peace and security. When diverse women participate in peace negotiations, the quality and durability of peace agreements increases, and when women are signatories of peace agreements, they are more likely to be implemented. A major component of Africa’s prosperity, is peace and security. Roles in peace and security were stereotypically set […]

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