In celebration of International Women’s Day 2025, Africa YMCA, Episode 4 of the PowerSpace Podcast—held a dynamic and deeply personal conversation titled “Accelerating Action for a Gender-Equal World – Women Leading Change.”
Hosted by Sharon Owino, a passionate YMCA board member and Change Agent from Kenya, this special IWD edition brings together influential women leaders from across the continent. Representing Kenya, Ethiopia, Madagascar and Cameroon, these leaders share powerful reflections on gender equality, leadership, and the cultural contexts that shape their experiences within the YMCA movement and beyond.
In Episode 4 of the PowerSpace Podcast, host Sharon Owino is joined by five powerful women shaping the future of leadership across Africa:
Esther Angwenyi – Africa YMCA Women Representative, Kenya
Ethiopia Tilahun – Vice President, Africa YMCA
Nalisoa Andrianarivo – World YMCA Rep, Madagascar
Charelle Amadinne – S2C Ambassador, Cameroon
Together, they explore how gender roles, culture, and leadership intersect across different African contexts—from Kenya’s rapid empowerment shifts to Cameroon’s traditional norms.
Unpacking Challenges, Championing Solutions
The panel dives deep into:
Cultural influences on leadership identity
Redefining strength beyond stereotypes
The power of visibility and mentorship
The need for collaboration across borders
Each speaker brings unique insights and solutions, calling for collective action and shared learning to uplift women across the YMCA movement.
Key Takeaways
Leadership is genderless – It’s about courage, vision, and empathy.
Language matters – Labels like "strong African woman" are powerful but complex.
YMCA is evolving – Embracing inclusivity across gender and faith.
💬 “How do we accelerate action for a gender-equal world?”
By standing together, sharing voices, and creating inclusive spaces
📺 YouTube (Subtitled): WATCH HERE
🎧 Spotify: LISTEN HERE