The BBC unveils its 2023 roster of 100 influential women worldwide, celebrating their outstanding influence in shaping the future. Thirteen African women are featured on the list, making substantial contributions in diverse fields such as education, disability rights, climate change, and gender equality. These 13 Inspiring African Women are part of BBC’s 100 Women of 2023 who are influential leaders globally. They have continued to show resilience, skills, and dedication to influencing positive changes while inspiring others.
1. Wanjira Mathai among the 13 Inspiring BBC 100 Women 2023 in Africa
Wanjira is an environmental adviser from Kenya, currently serving as a Managing Director for Africa and Global Partnerships at ‘World Resource Institute. She also chairs the Wangari Maathai Foundation.
She advocates for local action, emphasizing support for initiatives led by tree-based entrepreneurs and community-driven efforts in restoration, renewable energy, and the circular economy. Expressing hope through these grassroots endeavors, she stated,
‘Bottom-up efforts like these show us the potential for change.’
Wanjira Maathai
Among the list of icons like Michelle Obama, Amal Clooney, and America Ferrera, Mathai’s presence celebrates these figures while inspiring others to action.
2. Susan Chomba: Kenyan Scientist
Susan holds the position of Director at the World Resources Institute (WRI), motivated by her upbringing in poverty in Kirinyaga County, central Kenya. This has fueled her commitment to enhancing other people’s lives.
Reflecting on her motivation, Susan Chomba explained,
‘I’m deeply affected by the inaction of world leaders, particularly those from major emitting nations, capable of altering course but hindered by financial constraints, power dynamics, and political agendas.’
Susan Chomba, kenyan Scientist
To channel these emotions, she immerses herself in grassroots actions, collaborating with women and youth across Africa on initiatives focused on nature preservation, restoration, reshaping food systems, and influencing policy changes.
3. Najla Mohamed-Lamin: Championing Women’s Rights and Climate Action in Western Sahara
Najla Mohamed-Lamin started the Almasar Library Centre to Educate Women and Children on Health and Environmental Issues in Saharawi Refugee Camps, South-West Algeria.
Originally from Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony now under Moroccan occupation since 1975, Mohamed-Lamin’s family fled violence, leading to their exile. Raised in the refugee camps, she learned English as a teenager and became a translator for foreign delegations. Through crowdfunding, she managed to pursue studies abroad.
After graduating in sustainable development and women’s studies, she returned to the camps, aiming to assist over 200,000 Saharawi refugees facing amplified water and food insecurity due to climate change.
“We must address the escalating impact of climate change in the desert region, where our homes are frequently destroyed by floods and sandstorms, and our people suffer from extreme temperatures. All this, despite our minimal contribution to the climate crisis.”
Najla Mohamed-Lamin
4. Jennifer Uchendu: Leading Mental Health Advocacy in Nigeria
Jennifer Uchendu, Founder of SustyVibes, a youth-driven organization committed to promoting actionable and engaging sustainability initiatives. Recently, Uchendu explored the impact of the climate crisis on the mental well-being of Africans, especially focusing on the youth demographic.
In 2022, she established The Eco-Anxiety Africa project (TEAP) to validate and address climate-related emotions among Africans through research, advocacy, and climate-informed therapy. Her objective is to collaborate with individuals and organizations interested in shifting perspectives and engaging in the challenging but necessary work of understanding climate-related emotions.
5. Yasmina Benslimane: Driving Change as the Founder of Politics4Her in Morocco
Dedicated to promoting gender equality, Yasmina Benslimane founded Politics4Her, an organization devoted to empowering and engaging young women and girls in political and decision-making spheres. When a devastating earthquake struck her home country of Morocco in September, Benslimane and her organization advocated for a relief response that was sensitive to gender issues. They released a manifesto highlighting challenges specific to women and girls that the disaster could exacerbate, such as period poverty and forced marriages.
As a mentor, advisor, and board member for several non-profit organizations, she actively assists young women in developing their leadership skills. Her impactful work has earned her the UN Women Peacebuilder award.
6. Zandile Ndhlovu: First Black Freediving Instructor in South Africa
As South Africa’s first black female freediving instructor, Zandile Ndhlovu focuses on diversifying access to the ocean. Zandile Ndhlovu founded the ‘The Black Mermaid Foundation’, introducing young people and local communities to the ocean. She aimed at broadening their engagement with these spaces for recreation, professional careers, and sports.
Ndhlovu is an ocean explorer, storyteller, and filmmaker, who uses her skills to motivate a new generation of Ocean Guardians. The youths get to learn about ocean pollution, and rising sea levels, and actively participate in environmental protection efforts.
“The emergence of numerous young voices committed to societal change gives me hope, particularly amidst the considerations of the climate crisis”.
Zandile Ndhlovu, in an Interview
7. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka: Veterinarian from Uganda
The Ugandan veterinarian and conservationist founded ‘Conservation Through Public Health’, an award-winning NGO dedicated to fostering coexistence between people, gorillas, and wildlife. The organisation promotes biodiversity conservation while enhancing the health and habitats of these species. This influenced the decision for the Veterinarian to be included among the 13 Inspiring African Women: BBC’s 100 Women of 2023
8. Neema Namadamu: Advocating for Disability Rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Neema Namadamu is a disability rights activist from a remote area in eastern Congo. She founded the grassroots organization ‘Hero Women Rising’, also known as ‘Mama Shuja’. This network aims to enhance the living conditions of women and teenage girls in the DRC.
Having contracted polio at the age of two, Namadamu became the first woman with a disability from her ethnic group to graduate from university. Her organization employs education and technology to amplify women’s voices and empower them to advocate for their rights.
Namadamu’s achievements include serving as a member of parliament and advising the country’s Minister of Gender and Family. This marks her dedication to advancing the rights of people with disabilities and empowering women across the DRC.
9. Paulina Chiziane, Mozambique: Trailblazing Author
With her debut in the 1990s, “Ballad of Love in the Wind,” Paulina Chiziane became the first woman to publish a novel in Mozambique. Growing up on the outskirts of Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, Chiziane learned Portuguese at a Catholic school. She studied languages at Eduardo Mondlane University but did not graduate.
Her works have been translated into multiple languages, including English, German, and Spanish. Her book “The First Wife: A Tale of Polygamy” earned her the local José Craveirinha Award. More recently, she was honored with the Camões Prize, considered the most prestigious literary award in Portuguese.
10. Esi Buobasa, Ghana: Championing Change as a Fishmonger
Esi Buobasa comes from Fuveme, a Ghanaian village tragically impacted by strong sea waves caused by extreme climate change. She has firsthand experience of its effects. When rising sea levels destroyed their home, forcing them to relocate, Buobasa, her husband, and their five children understood firsthand the effects of climate change. had to migrate. As a successful fishmonger in her village, she formed an organization with her peers. Their goal is to aid fisherwomen in the region facing threats to their livelihoods due to coastal erosion.
This alliance, now has over 100 members, meeting weekly to address challenges affecting women in the industry. They also pool financial resources to assist families in need. Buobasa vividly expresses the despair felt each time the tidal waves strike, underscoring the dire consequences for lives, including future generations.
11. Ulanda Mtamba: Advocate Combatting Child Marriage in Malawi
Ulanda Mtamba champions the enforcement of existing laws protecting girls from early marriage. The Malawian national has been calling for increased investment to tackle health risks linked to early pregnancy. In her role as Malawi’s country director for AGE Africa, she strives for equal access to secondary education for all girls across the continent.
12. Vee Kativhu: Empowering Education and Changing Narratives through Content Creation
Vee (Varaidzo) Kativhu’s academic journey serves as an inspiration to thousands worldwide. Starting from balancing her studies with a part-time job at McDonald’s, she attained degrees from Oxford and Harvard Universities. She has a UK and Zimbabwean citizenship.
During her university years, she established a YouTube channel to share her experiences as a student from a lower socio-economic background. Her channel provided study tips and resources for others facing similar challenges.
Since then, Kativhu has launched “Empowered by Vee,” a platform dedicated to making higher education more accessible for under-represented students globally. In addition to her digital initiatives, she has authored a practical self-help book for young people. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Education Leadership.
13. Shamsa Araweelo: Advocating Against Female Genital Mutilation in Somalia
The Somalian and UK national has been inspired by little efforts by the world to end female Genital mutilation (FGM). Shamsa Araweelo uses her impactful online videos to educate and increase awareness. Her TikTok videos have garnered over 70 million views, increasing awareness, and knowledge on FGM in her country and beyond.
How are the 100 Women chosen?
The BBC 100 Women team compiles a list based on extensive research and recommendations from the BBC’s World Service Languages teams and BBC Media Action.
They look for individuals who have influenced important stories over the past year. They also seek out those with compelling stories or notable achievements that might not have received widespread attention.
The focus this year was on climate change’s impact on women and girls globally. More so, special consideration was given to 28 Climate Pioneers and other environmental leaders.
The list aimed at diverse representation across politics and society, highlighting women who have brought about meaningful change in various areas. The team considers opinions on different subjects and ensures regional diversity and impartiality in the final selection. Each of the 13 Inspiring African Women: BBC’s 100 Women of 2023 has consented to be part of the list.