Oluwadamilola Akintewe is a Nigerian social entrepreneur and feminist activist. She has provided career mentorship and skills acquisition to over 3000 women and girls, creating avenues for financial inclusion and equality for women through entrepreneurship.

With over 4 years in social impact projects management, Oluwadamilola Akintewe is actively involved in feminist organizing and movement building, disrupting and dismantling systems of oppression against women’s rights in Nigeria and beyond. She was the youngest on the “top 100 women creating change in Africa” list by We For Good International in celebration of 2020 women’s day and was selected by Ford with a group of 15 students from 4 continents for the Ford Community Impact Fellowship and was recently recognized as a Top 30 under 30 global Changemakers by opportunity desk among many other honors.

She is the founder of Forbidden Topics, a feminist platform amplifying female voices against social injustices, breaking the silence of gender based violence and inequality. The brand also has a clothing affiliate with the same name (“Forbidden Topics”).

“I am studying law, I also own a clothing brand called “Forbidden Topics”. Some decades ago, it was impossible for that to happen, especially for a black woman. However, some people fought, spoke and advocated for the rights I enjoy decades later. Their actions in a way defined the opportunities available to young African girls like myself. In the same vein, I owe it as a responsibility to pay it forward to the next generation by working to ensure equal rights for women and girls. This is my inspiration” she tells us as we start talking about what led her to found her organization.

Her platform, Forbidden Topics amplifies women’s voices against social injustices particular to women’s health and rights. “From an  intersectional feminism point of view, we’re breaking the silence on conversations deemed a taboo in societies with traditional ideas ranging from gender based violence, to ending female genital mutilation.” She tells us more about how her organisation drives change.

Forbidden Topics have amplified and shared the stories of women from 20+ countries, saw numerous grassroots feminist groups being founded for advocacy and recorded over 50,000 reach across social media.

As it is the common tradition with every changemaker featured in our Frontline Voices series, we asked Oluwadamilola Akintewe to leave us with words for young changemakers: “Embrace change. Never self reject. You’ll never know if you never tried” was the impact filled words she left us with.

Aside from breaking the silence on conversations deemed a taboo in societies, Oluwadamilola studies law, plays the guitar and practices her mobile photography skills. She can be reached on IG via https://www.instagram.com/tewedami/.