Elizabeth Nyamayaro

Realizing that social change happens when those in power align with those seeking equity, ELIZABETH NYAMAYARO invites us to be critical allies in the movement for social justice and equality. She founded HeForShe, the United Nations global solidarity movement for gender equality, based on a simple idea: that what we share is much more powerful than what divides us. In this talk, Nyamayaro uses this truth to inspire and teach us how we can be allies to those seeking justice.

ELIZABETH NYAMAYARO is a social change-maker.  She knows how to create a movement toward lasting change, and how to enact the difficult work of changing mindsets, finding and supporting allies, and keeping the movement filled with optimism. Born in Zimbabwe, Elizabeth has worked at the forefront of global development for over two decades improving the lives of underserved populations and has held leadership roles at the World Bank, World Health Organization, UNAIDS, and UN Women, and is a former United Nations Senior Advisor on Gender Equality. She is the founder of HeForShe, the United Nations global solidarity movement for gender equality, in which she invites men to join in allyship with women in the movement for gender equality. She is also the founder of AfricaYouth.org, Africa's largest youth movement to tackle some of the continent's challenges with the power and enthusiasm of its own next generation.

Ubuntu is the African philosophy that what unites us is greater than what separates us. ELIZABETH NYAMAYARO explains how Ubuntu is not a simple platitiude, but instead a radical philosophy that can be used in the most contentious circumstances, from international diplomacy to social justice movements. Ubuntu is Africa's greatest gift to the world and a global call for solidarity and unity in an ever divided and divisive world.

Speaking directly to the often-marginalized communities, ELIZABETH NYAMAYARO reminds us that where you are born, and your current circumstance should not determine your destiny nor limit your dreams. No matter how crazy your dreams may seem, they are valid and worthy of pursing. 

She shares how she questioned everything about herself when she was growing up; was her skin too dark, her hair too curly, her accent too thick, her dreams too ambitious. She came to realize that the qualities that were once a source of insecurity are in fact some of her greatest strengths. In this talk she uses her story to inspire each of us to embrace our own story, always remembering that despite any of our insecurities that being your true self is enough.