
1K
Downloads
52
Episodes
Wempower is a London based media platform focused on stories of ordinary women that are inspiring, powerful, inclusive and positive. We want to rewrite the narrative, with stories that sounds and looks like yours. Stories of women that are fighting and working to build a new generation of empowered women. These stories are the testimony that the world is filled with ambitious and remarkable women, ready to lift each other up, willing to fight and speak up for the one that can’t.
Episodes

Thursday Feb 06, 2025
When Water Comes at a Cost Cecilia Ayot’s Fight Against Sextortion in Kenya
Thursday Feb 06, 2025
Thursday Feb 06, 2025
-
Kenya is facing a deepening water crisis, with 15 million people lacking access to safe water and 37 million without proper sanitation. As droughts intensify, water scarcity is disproportionately affecting women and girls, who are often forced into dangerous situations just to secure this basic necessity.
In this episode, we speak with Cecilia Achieng Ayot, a feminist activist and former member of the Nairobi County Assembly, who has dedicated her life to fighting against water cartels and the inhumane practice of sextortion—where women and girls are coerced into exchanging sex for water.
Having experienced this reality firsthand growing up in Kibera, Cecilia shares her powerful journey from survival to activism, her fight to criminalize sextortion, and the ongoing struggle for women’s dignity and economic empowerment in Kenya. Her story is a testament to resilience and the urgent need for systemic change in the face of gendered violence and climate injustice.

Saturday Jan 11, 2025
Liberia Uncovered: Bettie Mbayo on Media Independence and Women’s Voices
Saturday Jan 11, 2025
Saturday Jan 11, 2025
Meet Bettie K. Johnson Mbayo, a fearless investigative journalist fighting for truth in Liberia—a country grappling with corruption, gender inequality, and threats to press freedom.
Bettie’s incredible journey has taken her from founding her school’s press club to exposing systemic corruption and launching The Stage Media, a platform that champions transparency and amplifies survivors’ voices.
Discover the full story of her resilience, courage, and vision for a Liberia where journalists work free from harassment, and media independence thrives.

Monday Nov 25, 2024
Lyanne Nicholl: Empowering Women for Political Change
Monday Nov 25, 2024
Monday Nov 25, 2024
An interview with the CEO of 50:50 Parliament
We are thrilled to feature Lyanne Nicholl, CEO of 50:50 Parliament, a passionate advocate for gender equality in political representation. With over 17 years of experience in the charity sector, Lyanne shares her journey and the pivotal moments that led her to lead 50:50 Parliament, an organization working tirelessly to break down the barriers preventing women from entering political life.
In our conversation, Lyanne discusses the challenges women face when entering politics, the progress made in recent years, and the important campaigns 50:50 Parliament is spearheading to accelerate gender parity. A particular focus is on their Ask Her To Stand campaign, which encourages women from all backgrounds to step up and consider running for office. She also shares the organization's vision for a more inclusive political landscape and their ongoing efforts to push for systemic changes in Parliament to attract and retain top female talent.
Join us as we delve into the strategies, campaigns, and achievements driving the push for gender equality in politics, and hear Lyanne’s insights on the future of political representation in the UK and beyond.
Don’t miss this inspiring episode!

Monday Nov 11, 2024
Voices From The Frontline
Monday Nov 11, 2024
Monday Nov 11, 2024
Interview with Andrea Backhaus, conflict reporter
We welcome Andrea Backhaus, an independent journalist from Germany whose courageous reporting on wars and conflicts has taken her from the Arab Spring in Egypt to the frontlines of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Throughout our conversation, the word “anger” resonates—an anger towards the pervasive racism and sexism in mainstream media, and a profound drive to change the narrative surrounding war.
Andrea shares her journey into conflict reporting, emphasizing the need to amplify the voices of those affected by war, who are often reduced to mere statistics in the media.
During our inspiring discussion, Andrea offers practical advice for aspiring war reporters, touching on the importance of safety measures and mental health support, which remains a taboo topic in many newsrooms.
Please tune in to hear Andrea’s insights and reflections, and join us in advocating for a more inclusive and empathetic portrayal of conflict in the media.

Monday Oct 28, 2024
News Through a Gender Lens: The Persistent Perspective
Monday Oct 28, 2024
Monday Oct 28, 2024
Interview with Francesca Donner, Editor and Founder of The Persistent
In this episode, we explore "News Through a Gender Lens: The Persistent Perspective", delving into how Francesca is redefining journalism to prioritize equality and diverse representation. She shares her journey and insights on reshaping the media landscape, challenging long-standing biases, and amplifying underrepresented voices.

Monday Oct 14, 2024
Rethinking and Redefining Representation in the news
Monday Oct 14, 2024
Monday Oct 14, 2024
An Interview with Alia Chebbab and Leila Hawkins, founders of NADJA
NADJA is a digital news platform with a mission to redefine journalism by telling stories through the eyes of women. Alia and Leila are challenging mainstream narratives and giving a voice to the women shaping our world in ways that often go unseen.
Inspired by Andre Breton’s free-spirited character in Nadja, they’re disrupting stereotypes and offering new perspectives to create a more inclusive, diverse representation of women’s experiences in media.

Monday Sep 30, 2024
Why Afghan women’s rights are not only Afghan women’s problems
Monday Sep 30, 2024
Monday Sep 30, 2024
The 2nd Episode of the ‘Behind the Headlines Podcast’, which features Zahra Nader, ex-New York Times journalist and the founder of ZanTimes.
ZanTimes is a pioneering women-led investigative newsroom in Afghanistan that reports human rights violations under the Taliban, with a special focus on the experiences of women and the LGBTQI+ community. Her team operates in one of the world's most repressive regimes where journalism is not just a profession but an act of defiance.
“No one speaks about Afghanistan anymore” Zahra emphasizes, hoping to bring its stories to the light every day, not just on memorial and anniversary days or when things get worse. In this episode, Zahra sheds light on the harsh realities Afghan women are facing today— systematically denied education, work, and freedom of movement—amidst a backdrop of global indifference.
Their journalism is not just about reporting the truth; it's about calling the world to action. Zahra warns the ignorant that the crisis in Afghanistan is a global issue that threatens the status of women’s rights worldwide.
Tune in to hear the full conversation and be inspired by the incredible courage of Zahra and her team. Their unwavering commitment to truth and justice is a powerful reminder that journalism has the power to change the world - if we just listen.

Monday Sep 16, 2024
Behind the Data: Investigative Journalism and the Power of Women’s Voices
Monday Sep 16, 2024
Monday Sep 16, 2024
An interview with Patricia Clarke, Reporter and Producer at Tortoise
In the first episode of Season Two of Behind the Headlines, we sit down with Patricia Clarke, an investigative journalist at Tortoise Media. Patricia has worked on award-nominated investigations, shedding light on critical issues like domestic abuse homicides and the porn industry.
Join us as we explore Patricia’s journey into journalism, from her beginnings to becoming a leading voice in investigative reporting. We’ll dive into her experiences producing impactful podcasts, investigative journalism's challenges and rewards, and data's pivotal role in uncovering hidden stories. Patricia shares her thoughts on navigating cross-cultural storytelling, the importance of sensitivity in reporting, and the unique power of diverse perspectives in shaping the media landscape.
This episode is packed with insights, advice for aspiring journalists, and stories that challenge the status quo. Tune in to hear how Patricia and others use data and storytelling to bring underreported stories to light.

Wednesday May 29, 2024
Wednesday May 29, 2024
In this episode I sit with the amazing Rena Greifinger, Managing Director of Maverick Collective and Director for Philanthropy at Population Services International (PSI). Rena is an award-winning social entrepreneur and a passionate advocate for women and girls.
With over a decade at PSI, Rena has pioneered design-thinking in adolescent sexual and reproductive health. She's received the Harvard School of Public Health’s Albert Schweitzer Award and Sara’s Wish Foundation’s Global Humanitarian Award. In 2021, she was named one of Apolitical’s Top 100 Influencers in Gender Policy.
Join us as we delve into Rena’s journey, her innovative philanthropic strategies, and explore if philanthropy can truly be feminist. We'll also discuss how a new generation of wealthy women is transforming this traditionally male-dominated field.
This is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Monday Mar 18, 2024
The Woman Redefining Breast Safety in Sports
Monday Mar 18, 2024
Monday Mar 18, 2024
Interview with Suzie Betts, founder of Boob Armour
In this episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Suzie Betts, the visionary founder of Boob Armour, a revolutionary brand that is working to protect women’s breasts and to give athletes, sportspeople and those in physically demanding careers the confidence to play, work and live freely by alleviating breast impact and preventing injury.
The inception of Boob Armour was inspired by the personal journey of Suzie finding lumps in her breast due to trauma she faced in her younger years that left her feeling vulnerable and unsupported. Determined to find a solution, she embarked on a mission to design innovative breast protection that would ensure both comfort and safety and create a positive change.
In our conversation with Suzie, we delve into the journey that led her to create Boob Armour, discussing the challenges she faced and the inspiring stories that fueled her passion for women's empowerment. As a trailblazer in the field, Suzie shares invaluable insights into the importance of body positivity, self-care, and breaking down barriers in the world of sports and fitness.
Whether you're an athlete, fitness enthusiast, or simply someone who believes in the power of empowerment, this episode is sure to resonate with you. Tune in to gain valuable insights, be inspired, and join us in celebrating the incredible work of Suzie Betts and Boob Armour!