Pepeta Malawi hosts the Revitalize! 2021 FemFest

Following the National Advocacy Convening, Pepeta Malawi held a feminist festival on 11th December 2021 with the aim of creating a platform for young women’s expression, celebration and solidarity, as well as empowering local female artists. 

Members of Pepeta as well as other invited guests enjoyed a day of fun activities centred around getting to know one another and strengthening the bonds of sisterhood. This was followed with performances by local artists such as Mirriam Nkosi, Mbumba Nkhoma, DJ WNDRZ and DJ Chmba. The day also included a poetry performance by Angali and live painting by Amabel. Stalls were set up where female-led businesses and creatives displayed their work and merchandise for attendants at the festival.

Not only did this event offer a safe space for young women and girls to come together and enjoy self-expression in the forms of song and dance, it also served as a safe space for young women who identify as queer. The event was one of its kind and most young women in attendance expressed their appreciation for the atmosphere of sisterhood and safety that it provided. 

Not only were the young women who performed and marketed their merchandise empowered with a platform to increase their financial gains; the ability to enjoy a safe space as young women is a key aspect of what feminist spaces are about. 

Tawonga Msowoya, Country coordinator for Pepeta Malawi, had this to say following the success of the event: 

“This event allowed us all the exhale. From the stress of our lives and the heaviness that often comes with activism. I am happy I got to be part of creating this space to celebrate and revitalize our activism.” 

Creating spaces that allow the full expression of young women and girls through various channels is a key objective of Pepeta Malawi and we hope to see more events such as this held in future. 

Pepeta members from Mzuzu at the feminist Art festival; combining spoken word with visual arts.