Women are playing an increasingly prominent role in the cultural industries y
African creatives, from film and music to design, photography and the arts
visuals. However, the growth of its presence is still accompanied by significant
barriers to accessing funding, decision-making positions and professional recognition.
More women behind the cameras
The cinema provides a good example of this transformation. UNESCO has pointed out that the
women continue to be under-represented in the African film industry,
particularly in creative and decision-making roles.
To help change this situation, in 2025 UNESCO and Tamayouz Cinema
The Foundation organised a residency in Morocco for ten young African female filmmakers,
from different regions of the continent. For six weeks they worked on their
They made their own short films, received training and forged professional connections.
To create, lead and blaze a trail
This type of initiative complements other programmes aimed at strengthening the presence
women in the creative industries. In West Africa, UNESCO has been working since
2016 on projects aimed at promoting gender equality and raising the profile of women
cultural professionals.
The aim is not simply to increase their presence, but to enable them to develop
sustainable careers and take up leadership roles. In Malawi, for example, a project
Supported by UNESCO, it has worked between 2024 and 2026 to strengthen the participation of the
women in cultural governance and to increase their representation in decision-making roles,
reaching more than 700 creative professionals.
From film to design and music, these new generations are broadening the
voices that contribute to the shaping of the African cultural landscape. Their growing
This presence shows that transforming the creative industries also depends on who has
the opportunity to create, lead and make decisions.