Women across Africa are emerging as dynamic leaders, challenging societal norms and reshaping their communities while harnessing both traditional and digital platforms to champion gender equality and empower those around them.
During a closing meeting of Pollicy’s VOTE: Women program, we spoke to women from Senegal, Uganda, and Tanzania on their challenges, achievements, and strategies for navigating the intersection of politics and technology.
Senegal: Building Digital Communities and Economic Initiatives
In Senegal, women like Hon. Alimata Ba, a seasoned political advocate, began her journey in politics by engaging with community organisations and feminist movements from an early age. She reflected on when she was younger noting that she was actively involved in various student bodies and movements advocating for gender equality
A particularly significant aspect of her journey was the use of digital platforms to advance her advocacy efforts. Platforms such as WhatsApp and Twitter are very popular in Senegal, and these became crucial tools for her in connecting women, sharing resources, and generating economic initiatives through nongovernmental organisations (NGOs). These digital tools have enabled Senegalese women to transcend geographical barriers, unite across the country, and collaborate on frameworks aimed at economic empowerment, capacity building, and leadership development.
For her, one of the most important lessons was the role of technology in supporting women’s leadership development, particularly for marginalised groups such as people with disabilities and those advocating for children’s rights. She concluded by stating “In my participation with people living with disabilities, the promotion of children’s rights, I have been using digital platforms, like whatsapp groups and other social media like Twitter (X), we have utilized these technologies to attain our goals. My determination has helped me reach where I am today, and technology has been instrumental in that journey.”
Uganda: Resilience and Empowerment Through Digital Skills
Hon. Esther Kirabo from Uganda shared her journey of transitioning from political aspirations to community empowerment. After facing setbacks in her attempt to become a Member of Parliament, Esther did not lose hope. Instead, she founded a skilling centre, where she trains women in tailoring, equipping them with practical skills that generate income and transform lives.
“Pollicy has equipped me with the skills I need to thrive online and empower other women,” she said.
Esther now focuses on inspiring the next generation of women and girls by providing them with professional and entrepreneurship skills for the future. Through her creation of the “Beautiful Girls of Esther,” she formed a group dedicated to providing young girls with an opportunity at a skilling centre in tailoring. She has trained fifty three (53) young women in tailoring and they each received their own tailoring machines at the end of the program.
Additionally, Esther emphasised the importance of online safety and how technology serves as a powerful tool not only for participating in politics but also for educating and empowering communities. With the right training, digital platforms can be used to organise campaigns, share information, and conduct advocacy programmes with limited resources.
Tanzania: Overcoming Cultural Barriers and Building a Digital Presence
The Tanzanian women brought a wealth of experience to the discussion. Hon. Rose Njilo, a women’s leader, recounted her challenging upbringing in the Maasai community where early marriage was the norm, and support for girls to pursue education or leadership roles was minimal. Inspired by these struggles, she founded an organisation called Mimutie Women Organization to advocate for women’s rights, with a particular focus on education and leadership training.
Rose’s work has been groundbreaking, as she has nurtured six other female leaders by enrolling them in different financial, school education and digital skilling programs in her community, with the support of well-wishers and international organisations.. “Women need to love and support one another,” she stressed, explaining how digital platforms can play a role in fostering unity and solidarity among women.
Another participant, Hon. Mariam Juma Mtemvu, shared her journey into politics, which began with encouragement from her husband and later from women’s groups. Despite facing personal challenges, including health issues, Mariam persevered and used her social media platform on Instagram to advocate for women’s access to government financial resources through financial literacy programs. Her efforts have resulted in the formation of women’s financial groups in twenty three (23) different wards, empowering Tanzanian women economically.
Both Rose and Mariam emphasised the importance of mentorship and collaboration, and how they leveraged digital platforms to overcome patriarchal attitudes and support other women in their communities. Digital skills and access to technology, they argue, enable women to navigate the hostile political environment and challenge cultural barriers.
Digital Safety: A Shared Priority Across Borders
A recurring theme amongst all the women leaders was the importance of digital safety. As women politicians and activists, many have been targeted by online trolls and harassers, particularly during election periods. Mariam described how her family, including her children, were targeted during her husband’s parliamentary campaign, which highlighted the urgent need for better digital literacy and safety for women in politics.
All participants agreed that education on online safety and responsible digital engagement should begin in schools. This is particularly crucial for younger generations, who are increasingly exposed to online spaces but may lack the skills to protect themselves from harassment or misuse.
The Power of Resilience and Collaboration
Across all three countries, the women leaders echoed the same sentiment: the need for resilience and collaboration. They spoke candidly about the barriers they have faced — whether it was cultural norms, a lack of financial support, or online harassment — but also about how these challenges have only strengthened their resolve.
Through digital transformation, women can now engage more effectively in political discourse, amplify their voices, and rally for change. From organising local grassroots movements to participating in global online campaigns, digital tools have given African women leaders a platform to break down barriers and reshape their political landscapes.
Lessons in Leadership for the Next Generation
The stories shared by the women further offer powerful lessons in leadership, resilience, and innovation and demonstrate how technology, when strategically used, can enhance women’s participation in politics and create lasting social change. For the next generation of African women leaders, these trailblazers provide a blueprint for navigating the political and digital worlds, balancing tradition with transformation, and always placing community at the heart of their work.
As we continue to fight for gender equality, both offline and online, these leaders remind us that with courage, collaboration, and the right tools, there is nothing women cannot achieve
Authors: Tricia Gloria Nabaye, Pollicy & Rachel Magege, Pollicy
