A high-level panel discussion on “The Role of African Women in Preserving African Culture” took centre stage earlier today, bringing together cultural icons, Nollywood stars, scholars, and advocates for women’s empowerment. The event, powered by the Nollywood Cultural Heritage Festival in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), highlighted the vital role women play in upholding and transmitting Africa’s rich cultural legacy.
Held amid a vibrant display of African creativity and elegance, the discussion explored how women remain the custodians of traditional values, languages, crafts, and moral systems that form the bedrock of African identity. Panelists emphasized that despite modernization and globalization, African women continue to preserve cultural practices through storytelling, cuisine, fashion, traditional music, and community leadership.
Prominent Nollywood actress and philanthropist Tonto Dikeh, who was among the key contributors, delivered an impassioned address on the need for African women to embrace their heritage with pride. She noted that the preservation of culture starts from the home, with mothers and women serving as the first teachers of tradition. According to her, “When a woman understands her identity and roots, she becomes a stronger force in shaping her family and society. Our culture is our pride — it must not fade.”
Dikeh also urged younger women to see culture not as a relic of the past, but as a source of strength, creativity, and empowerment. She called for greater investment in cultural education, film, and fashion to help project African values globally.
The session featured insights from other female leaders in film, academia, and cultural development who agreed that culture is not only a source of identity but also a catalyst for economic growth. They emphasized that empowering women in the creative and cultural industries will help sustain Africa’s heritage while driving innovation.
The event’s colourful setting showcased African elegance, with guests adorned in exquisite designs, including creations from @inori_fashionhouse, which beautifully reflected the grace and diversity of African womanhood.
The panel concluded with a renewed commitment to promoting cultural pride and gender inclusion. Participants reaffirmed that African women remain the heartbeat of the continent’s cultural continuity — powerful agents preserving traditions while inspiring future generations.
