Collectives offer opportunities for like-minded individuals to unite over a common goal, approaching issues with a shared vision and democratic mindset. They can range in size from just a handful of people to thousands, and they have the ability to disrupt the status quo and be vessels for remarkable change. But what’s it like to start one? Kim Chakanetsa speaks to two women who have founded female collectives making a difference. Aya Chebbi is a Tunisian diplomat and a pan-African and feminist activist. Named in Forbes Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women, she rose to global prominence as a political blogger during Tunisia’s Revolution in 2010/2011. In November 2018 she became the first appointed African Union Envoy on Youth, and was the youngest senior official in the history of the African Union. In 2021, Aya established the Nala Feminist Collective, which brings together 17 acclaimed African feminists to unite behind Africa’s agenda nationally and globally.

Camila Montecinos Díaz is a Psychologist and therapist from Chile. She moved to the Netherlands four years ago where she co-founded Neighborhood Feminists, a collective based in Amsterdam which helps combat period poverty. They provide Dignity Kits with menstrual products and basic toiletries. Currently, they help over one hundred people each month and in total have distributed over 80,000 tampons.

Produced by Emily Naylor and Alice Gioia

(Image: (L), Aya Chebbi, courtesy Aya Chebbi. (R), Camila Montecinos Diaz, courtesy Camila Montecinos Diaz.)