Women’s Leadership in Chad- a beacon of hope, a force for transformation

This article was written by one of the winners of the 2025 writing competition, jointly organized by We Write Afrika and the Association of Bloggers of Chad.

I call on every young girl to believe in herself. To dream big. To dare. To never apologize for being ambitious, brilliant, and passionate. I call on every woman to rise, to take her place, to make her voice heard. And I invite every man to be an ally, a supporter, a partner in this fight for equality.

Women’s leadership is an important issue that embodies our struggles. In Chad, women’s leadership is increasingly taking its rightful place in society. Women are no longer seen merely as keepers of the home, but as capable actors who can lead, innovate, and bring solutions to the country’s challenges. Their involvement in education, the economy, politics, and community life shows that when a woman is empowered, an entire community moves forward.

Female leadership is, above all, a state of mind, an attitude, a stance it means daring to say no to inequality. Promoting women’s leadership in Chad means recognizing the value, skills, and strength of Chadian women in order to build a fairer and more balanced future for all. In Chad, women’s leadership is truly on the rise.

As a Chadian woman, I know the challenges: limited access to education, social pressure, professional inequalities, gender-based violence, cultural barriers… and yet, none of this has broken my determination. On the contrary, what drives me every day is a deep desire to contribute to my country’s development, to prove that women can lead, decide, and succeed just as much as men.

With that in mind, I am a member of the Action for the Education and Promotion of Women in Chad (AEPF-Chad), an initiative dedicated to defending the rights, education, and well-being of women and children. I have had the privilege of participating in inspiring awareness, mentoring, and training activities that encourage young girls to take on Chad’s challenges, break barriers, and excel particularly in science and technology. Where some still doubt girls’ potential, this association reminds us of a fundamental truth: intelligence has no gender.

My resilience, courage, and determination to make a difference push me to overcome obstacles and move forward for a better Chad. I believe in a Chad where women lead. We have tried with men why not give women the chance to take the lead? Today, we see women leaders adopting leadership styles that inspire, motivate, and most importantly, transform their surroundings. I envision a Chad where women are included in all activities, where Chadian women rise to every challenge to become leaders.

I dream of a Chad where every girl grows up with the certainty that she can become whatever she desires doctor, president, engineer, artist, entrepreneur. A Chad where little girls are not forced to choose between their dreams and society’s expectations. A Chad where women’s talents are celebrated instead of suppressed.

This dream, I don’t just want to imagine it, I want to build it, step by step, with courage and determination, alongside all those who believe equality is possible. It’s not just about promoting women; it’s about transforming mindsets, rethinking our models, breaking the codes.

Women’s leadership is not a fight for women only it’s a fight for everyone. They say a bird cannot fly with one wing; our country is like that bird trying to fly with only one wing because women are not given their rightful place.

Chad needs this new energy, this leadership that heals, unites, and transforms with humanity. Leadership doesn’t mean excluding men on the contrary, we need their active involvement for a fairer society. Men who educate their daughters, respect women, and defend equality are builders of peace.

Let us eradicate stereotypes and promote equality. Let us believe that a woman can lead a company and innovate in technology. Let us inspire young girls of future generations to believe in themselves, to learn, to resist social pressure, to be bold, to affirm and express themselves to shine while remaining women.

We have the power to create a different future, a Chad where gender does not determine worth, but where merit, integrity, and commitment open the doors to tomorrow.

Let us dare to shine.
Let us dare to be.
Let us dare to transform.
Let us dare to innovate.

For a Chad that is fairer, more inclusive, and stronger.

Ndimapa Aaliyah Dionro

Aaliyah is a third-year student in Business and Administration at the Chamber of Commerce of Chad. She is passionate about writing, seeing every word as a force capable of transforming mindsets and promoting justice, equity, and social inclusion. Deeply inspired by women’s leadership, she aspires to become a strong voice for women and girls, particularly in Africa, and to contribute actively to positive change in her country, Chad by encouraging every woman to believe in her potential and take action for her future.