International Women’s Day: Stories of Strength
Program in French with English interpretation
Wednesday, March 5 | 5 to 7:30 p.m.
In person at the Discovery Center and virtual via Zoom
Free to attend | All ages welcome | ASL services provided
Join the Gates Foundation’s Discovery Center, Employee Resource Groups, and Agricultural Development program for an inspiring conversation with Djaïli Amadou Amal, a renowned Cameroonian writer, activist, and UNICEF Ambassador, moderated by Sybil Chidiac, Senior Program Officer for Women’s Economic Empowerment and Gender Equality at the Gates Foundation, to celebrate International Women’s Day. English interpretation will be provided by University of Washington Associate Professor of French Richard Watts.
This thought-provoking conversation will explore the intersection of gender, culture, and social change, focusing on the empowerment of women and advancing gender equality in rural communities. Gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities women face in the Sahel region and learn how storytelling and advocacy can be powerful drivers of positive transformation.
Through her powerful storytelling, Djaïli Amadou Amal shines a light on the complex realities faced by women and girls in the Sahel region—a vast area in Western and North-Central Africa, stretching from Senegal in the west to Sudan in the east. As an award-winning author and social worker, Djaïli draws from her lived experiences to craft narratives that highlight the resilience of women navigating cultural and societal barriers.
Enjoy music by KEXP DJ Lace Cadence, host of The Continent, one of the only dedicated Afrobeat shows on major public radio and Contemporary African Appetizers by Regina Bukenya.
Event partners
African Community Housing & Development
Alliance Francaise de Seattle
CIN Seattle
Global Washington
Gates Foundation Alumni Association
International Rescue Committee
Mission Africa
Raising Girls
University of Washington Department of French and Italian Studies
Young Professionals International Network
Event schedule
5 p.m. Doors open and reception
5:30 p.m. Conversation and Q&A (virtual livestream begins)
6:45 p.m. Visit partner tables & explore galleries
7:30 p.m. Doors Close
Speakers
Djaïli Amadou Amal, a renowned Cameroonian author and feminist activist, is an influential voice against gender inequality, addressing themes such as forced marriage, polygamy, and tradition’s burden on women in the Sahel. Hailing from the Fulani community, she is the first female writer from North Cameroon to achieve international acclaim, winning prestigious awards like the Prix Goncourt des Lycéens for Les Impatientes. Amal’s works have been translated into over 20 languages, and she actively champions women’s rights through her association Femmes du Sahel, which supports education, empowerment, and literacy initiatives. Her impactful novels and advocacy resonate globally, amplifying women’s voices and shedding light on social injustices
Djaïli Amadou Amal, auteure camerounaise de renom et militante féministe, est une voix influente contre les inégalités de genre, abordant des thèmes tels que le mariage forcé, la polygamie et le poids des traditions sur les femmes du Sahel. Issue de la communauté peule, elle est le premier écrivain originaire du Nord-Cameroun à connaître une reconnaissance internationale, notamment grâce au Prix Goncourt des Lycéens pour Les Impatientes. Les œuvres d’Amal ont été traduites dans plus de 20 langues, et elle défend activement les droits des femmes à travers son association Femmes du Sahel, qui œuvre pour l’éducation, l’autonomisation et la promotion de la lecture. Ses romans percutants et son engagement résonnent à l’échelle mondiale, amplifiant la voix des femmes et mettant en lumière les injustices sociales
Sybil Chidiac, Senior Program Officer for Women’s Economic Empowerment and Gender Equality at the Gates Foundation
Sybil is responsible for developing country strategies and managing a portfolio of livelihood-focused initiatives that advance critical Women’s Economic Empowerment outcomes across focal countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Throughout her career, Sybil has worked in partnership with African communities, government, banks, and fintech actors to catalyze new approaches into programs, and innovate digitally enabled products and services to reach women.