African Women Visual Storytellers Demand Space, Safety and Recognition

Leading African women visual media creators have called for greater investment, safer working conditions, and systemic change to elevate women’s voices in photography, animation, film, and digital storytelling.

“Africa is more than what the world shows,” said Nigerian documentary photographer Becky Awo Renni at a webinar hosted by the fraymedia Foundation on 15 July where she spoke with four other women creators who highlighted the urgent need to reclaim the continent’s narratives through authentic visual expression.

The event, part of the Foundation’s #AfricaThroughHerLens campaign, spotlighted groundbreaking work by African women in visual media from Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia and beyond. It also explored how visual storytelling can disrupt stereotypes, preserve culture, and drive socio-political change.

Bongiwe Tutu, Operations Manager at fraymedia Foundation, opened the session by celebrating the everyday African storytellers who "capture the richness of life, of culture, and creativity on the continent”. She noted that the campaign had profiled 12 visual creators across 10 African countries, building cross-border solidarity and support.

Multi-award-winning South African photojournalist Neo Ntsoma shared how a decision to photograph Michael Jackson in Sun City in 1997 marked a turning point in her career. “I wanted to change how my people were seen. I wanted to show their humanity, their dignity – not just the poverty and violence.”

“My photography has always been intentional,” she said. “I want to add value. I want to create impactful images that change the course of people’s lives.”

Renni echoed this need to be seen and heard on her own terms: “I want my work to speak for itself. We’re pushing through gender stereotypes – but it’s not easy. Mentorship and sisterhood have supported me, and I’ve learnt that the art is a business. You have to stay honest, keep learning and refining your craft,” she added

Vanessa Ann Sinden, senior producer at South Africa’s Triggerfish Animation, emphasised the need for more inclusive production pipelines. She highlighted the importance of creating career pathways for young women in animation: “Representation matters – not only in the stories we tell, but in who gets to tell them. We need systems that make room for women to lead.”

The panellists did not shy away from addressing structural barriers such as access to funding, safety in the field, and underrepresentation in leadership. Ethiopian travel and culture photographer Sosina Mengistu, and Nigerian producer and novelist Abdulsalam Aderonke, both reflected on how women often work at the intersection of personal vision and community responsibility.

“This is not just about art,” Mengistu noted. “It’s about telling the truth of who we are.”

Throughout the webinar, the chat buzzed with messages of encouragement and admiration from attendees across the continent. “Amazing. Thank you for a powerful presentation,” one participant wrote. Another added, “What an inspiring session!”

fraymedia Foundation CEO Paula Fray reflected on the organisation’s mission to build communities where women in media can thrive, lead and shape the industry. “We believe in creating not only space but also safety,” she said. “We cannot talk about thriving in media unless we are also talking about the conditions under which women work – whether they are safe, whether they are supported, and whether they are seen.”

As the session closed, Fray called for continued support for African women media creators. “Let’s not just celebrate women’s stories – let’s fund them. Let’s broadcast them. Let’s protect the women who tell them.”

Resources and more information:

• To learn more about the speakers visit: https://www.fraymediafoundation.org/post/mark-the-date-african-women-visual-media-creators-webinar-15-july-2025

• To learn more about the #AfricaThroughHerLens campaign, visit: https://www.fraymediafoundation.org/post/africathroughherlens-showcasing-some-of-africa-s-vibrant-visual-storytellers

• To watch the webinar replay, see below: