Female creatives have called for more deliberate spaces and platforms to promote their participation and visibility in the country’s creative sector. They say gender imbalances remain a significant challenge.
This was discussed during Set It Off, a women-led one-day festival held at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) NRC Campus in Lilongwe.
The free entry event was organised by Dusty Orange Projects Et Al (DOPE Malawi), who are the organisers of Lake of Stars in collaboration with Euro Film Festival.
The event brought together creatives, leaders and young people with the aim of addressing persistent gender imbalances in the local creative sector, where women continue to be sidelined and treated as supporting figures rather than professionals.
Guitarist and musician Britt Cee said women continue to struggle with acceptance in the creative space because society still holds limiting stereotypes about them in arts.
“Many times we are not taken seriously as professionals. There is still a perception that women belong only in supporting roles or as entertainers, rather than as leaders or creators in their own right,” she said.
Britt Cee said festivals such as Set It Off provide unique platforms where women can network and inspire each other while showcasing their skills.
“Spaces like these are important because they give women visibility and recognition based on their work. We need more initiatives like this across the industry to make sure women are seen and valued,” she said.
Another creative, a first time author, Gertrude Mthana Nsini said among other challenges access to finance for creative works is another key obstacle for women in the arts sector.
She said: “Everything required to publish a book requires a lot of money from the start and to access financial support is not easy. But also being a beginner or an up-and-coming artist it is not easy to get such support.
“There is need for provision of funds that target starters and we need more platforms that are a learning point for young women wanting to pursue careers in the creative industries.”
Nsini authored her debut book Sellina, a Chichewa story about a poor rural girl who endured poverty, sexual abuse, gender-based violence and peer pressure, but overcame the odds to become educated and independent.
The author is now working on an English version and a movie series adaptation of the book as a way of inspiring young rural girls who often lack role models in their communities. She, however, says she will need financial support to make it all happen.
In addition, women in the creative industry decry facing challenges such as limited opportunities, sexual harassment and the burden of balancing professional growth with cultural and family expectations.
These barriers often discourage them from pursuing long-term careers in arts and limit their chances of attaining leadership roles or gaining international recognition.
DOPE Malawi production and projects coordinator Tionge Angella Banda said the festival was created to respond to the various challenges that women face in different sectors, including the creative sector.
She said that although the creative sector often treats women as background or backup artists, it is crucial to foster discussions that recognise their talent as equally important.
“Women are not objects. They are professionals who are claiming their rightful place in the creative industry and Set It Off is a movement to showcase women’s talent on merit, not tokenism. Our goal is to inspire young people to reimagine leadership, amplify women’s voices, safeguard women’s rights and drive lasting change,” she said.
The festival featured film screenings spearheaded by Euro Film Festival which beamed films like Strike A Blow and Die by Shemu Charles Joyah and Mrs Robinson, a film by Irish director Aoife Kelleher.
Other activities during the event included workshops, panel discussions, exhibitions and performances by female-led acts.
