Women's Challenge: Tiwa Savage, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf shortlisted for BBC's 100 inspirational and innovative women for 2017

In this edition, the women on the list will be part of the 100 Women Challenge, tackling some of the biggest problems facing women around the world.

Out of sixty women who have been shortlisted so far for the BBC’s 100 inspirational and innovative women for 2017, only 8 are from Africa.

However, there are still 40 slots yet to be filled.

Notable among the list of African women is 78-year-old Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The first elected female head of state in Africa says “If your dreams don't scare you, they are not big enough.”

Another name that rings a bell in the list is that of Afrobeat songstress, Tiwa Savage. She said, "You can never leave a footprint that will last if you are always walking on tiptoe." - Leymah Gbowee.

Below is the list of African women who have been shortlisted so far, their occupations, countries of origin, and the various areas they have chosen to influence.

 

Adelle Onyango

·         Job: Radio Presenter

·         Age: 28

·         Country of Birth: Kenya

African women in general need to know that it's OK for them to be the way they are, to see the way they are as a strength, and to be liberated from fear and from silence - Wangari Maathai

Adelle is a radio and television host seeking to empower young women through mentorship and apprenticeship programmes.

Anita Nderu

·         Job: TV presenter and radio news anchor

·         Age: 27

·         Country of Birth: Kenya

When they go low, we go high - Michelle Obama

Anita Nderu is a TV presenter and radio news anchor at Capital FM based in Nairobi and is passionate about mentoring youth.

Chaima Lahsini

·         Job: Journalist

·         Age: 24

·         Country of Birth: Morocco

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel - Maya Angelou

Chaima is a feminist, human rights activist and journalist from Rabat who led the protest following the sexual assault of a young woman in Morocco.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

·         Job: President

·         Age: 78

·         Country of Birth: Liberia

If your dreams don't scare you, they are not big enough

The first elected female head of state in Africa, President Sirleaf has led Liberia for more than a decade.

Marieme Jamme

·         Job: Founder of iamtheCODE

·         Age: 43

·         Country of Birth: Senegal

Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom - Oprah Winfrey

Marieme Jamme taught herself to read and write at the age of 16 and is now a self-made businesswoman.

Naomi Mwaura

·         Job: Founder, Flone Initiative and Communications Associate at ITDP Africa

·         Age: 31

·         Country of Birth: Kenya

Women deserve a better way to live on earth; without fear of violence. We should be able to become anything and anybody we want

Naomi was one of the lead organisers of the anti-harassment protest #MyDressMyChoice, which changed the law around harassment in Kenya.

Talent Jumo

·         Job: Founder and Director, Katswe Sistahood

·         Age: 36

·         Country of Birth: Zimbabwe

I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own - Audre Lorde

Talent is supporting victims of revenge porn, giving them counselling and legal advice and fighting for sexual and reproductive health rights for women in Zimbabwe.

Tiwa Savage

·         Job: Singer-songwriter

·         Age: 37

·         Country of Birth: Nigeria

You can never leave a footprint that will last if you are always walking on tiptoe - Leymah Gbowee

Singer, songwriter and philanthropist Tiwa Savage is an intergral member of the Afrobeats scene and plans to open a music school.

In this edition, the women on the list will be part of the 100 Women Challenge, tackling some of the biggest problems facing women around the world. Read Full Story