The Alliance for Women and Girls (AFWAG) has taken a bold step in reshaping the narrative around African women’s leadership with the premiere of Daughter of the Soil: Sowing Seeds of Hope.
This powerful documentary, directed by the award-winning Zimbabwean filmmaker Kudzai Tinago, showcases the inspiring journey of Dr. Vongai Nyahunzvi, AFWAG’s Founder and CEO.
It argues that empowering women is not just a necessity for Africa, but a strategic driver of global progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Set against the backdrop of Dr. Nyahunzvi’s own life—from her childhood in Norton, Zimbabwe, to her expansive mission across the continent—the film emphasizes how feminist leadership can catalyze transformative change in communities, economies, and systemic structures.
At the Nairobi premiere, Dr. Nyahunzvi spoke passionately about the documentary’s mission, stating, “When you educate a girl, you educate a nation.
This African proverb motivates us to drive transformative and impactful change aimed at empowering girls and women not only in Kenya or Zimbabwe, but across the region.” Her words resonated deeply with an audience of policymakers, philanthropists, corporate allies, and grassroots leaders, all gathered in a shared commitment to advancing women’s rights.
Despite notable progress, significant gaps remain. In countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, fewer than half of adolescent girls complete secondary school.
Shocking statistics reveal that up to four in ten girls aged 15–19 in Kenya have experienced pregnancy, while one in three women across East Africa face intimate partner violence.
Additionally, in South Sudan, over half of all girls are married before the age of 18. These figures underscore the critical need for investment in women’s leadership as a pathway to sustainable change.
Dr. Nyahunzvi emphasized that the documentary is not just her story; it is a collective narrative of millions of African women who are the architects of progress. “Lasting change cannot be achieved by individuals alone,” she urged. “We need collective action. That’s why we’re calling on donors, governments, and corporates to fund and amplify women-led solutions as a pathway to scalable, systemic change.”
The documentary invites viewers to join in a collective vision—one where the seeds of empowerment take root, flourish, and ultimately transform the continent.
