With financial and technical support from Ignite Culture Programme, Illume Creative Studios’ African Women Storytellers (AWS) program has revolutionised the creative landscape by empowering 32 women from six countries (Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, and Burundi) to share their authentic narratives through photography, film, and writing. Over five months, participants honed technical and soft skills through exclusive workshops, masterclasses, and mentorship, culminating in a vibrant "Joy"-themed Final Showcase in March 2024. By addressing the creative industry’s skills gap and fostering professional networks, the program equipped these women with the tools to drive social change, amplify diverse voices, and reshape historical portrayals of African women.
Figure 1: Workshop participants for the AWS program.
