In this episode, we talk to FCRJ's Activist in Residence Nina Chizungu, who has developed a living feminist archive documenting how women in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi move from surviving conflict and gender-based violence to leading, organizing, and shaping governance in their communities. We explore why Nina's project, From Survival to Governance: Women of the Great Lakes on the Frontline, centres this shift from victimhood to leadership, and how photography, storytelling, and audio narratives allow women to document their own experiences on their own terms. Nina discusses the sensitivity required to navigate the deeply intertwined political histories of the Great Lakes region, and how co-creating narratives with women activists and survivors keeps safety, consent, and agency at the centre of the process. Bio Nina Chizungu is a Congolese feminist, researcher, and human rights defender with over a decade of experience advancing gender equality, racial justice, and peace across Africa’s Great Lakes region. She currently serves as Program Director and Gender Expert at Sote Pamoja RDC, where she leads regional initiatives promoting women’s leadership, inclusive governance, and social justice in post-conflict contexts. Her work bridges feminist research, advocacy, and creative s torytelling, amplifying the voices of women activists and survivors from the DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi. Nina has authored policy briefs, convened regional dialogues, and co-produced feminist podcasts with Protection International Africa, contributing to shaping policy and practice on gender and peacebuilding. She holds a Master’s degree in Law and advanced certifications in Leadership and Governance from the Uongozi Institute (Tanzania). Nina’s work embodies a deep commitment to feminist knowledge production as a pathway to justice, resilience, and sustainable peace in Africa. Credits Interviewee: Nina Chizungu Interviewer: Nadia Asri Produced by: The Feminist Centre for Racial Justice Sound design, editing, production: Samuel Oduor Music: Grateful by audiolibraryinfinite from Pixabay
