Nairobi: The Ogilvy Africa Network has launched HerFolio during Nairobi Design Week, introducing a first-of-its-kind platform designed to elevate and connect female creatives across Africa to address the significant gender opportunity gap in the creative industry.
According to Kenya News Agency, research shows that 75 percent of female creatives do not receive the same career opportunities as their male counterparts, and a further 75 percent struggle to access high-paying projects not for lack of skill but because the system is not built for them. Nevertheless, HerFolio aims to change this reality by providing a dedicated online platform for showcasing the portfolios of female designers, musicians, performing artists, fine artists, and other creative professionals from across the continent.
Additionally, creatives using the platform can showcase their work in various formats, including high-resolution videos, images, and audio files, as part of their portfolios. HerFolio will serve as a hub for the Ogilvy Africa Network and any other organisation seeking diverse talent to discover and connect with female creatives, levelling the playing field and fostering a more inclusive creative industry.
The platform is open to all female creatives across every market in which the Network operates, spanning 39 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, which consequently creates unprecedented opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration, expanded market reach, and diverse representation-all critical elements for female creatives seeking to build careers in today's interconnected African creative economy.
The Ogilvy Africa Network Chief Creative Officer (CEO), Delna Sethna, expressed that the firm believes in the immense talent of female creatives in Africa and is committed to providing them with a platform to share their work and gain the recognition they deserve. 'Talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn't. HerFolio is our answer to this imbalance,' asserted the CEO, for which she explained it is to create a space where female creative professionals can thrive and connect with brands, agencies, and collaborators who value their unique perspectives.
At the event, Sethna announced three internship opportunities within the Ogilvy Africa Network for promising female creatives. She disclosed that the selection process for these internships will involve a review of portfolios submitted to HerFolio, with the network's creative team conducting evaluations throughout Nairobi Design Week and announcing the selected candidates after the event's conclusion.
At the same time, the CEO Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Ogilvy Africa Network Vikas Mehta remarked, 'Our partnership with Nairobi Design Week for the launch of HerFolio represents a powerful collaboration between two key players in Africa's creative world. Together, we're creating meaningful pathways for female creative talent to thrive across the continent.'
Concurrently, Adrian Jankowiak, Design Director and Founder of Nairobi Design Week stressed that Nairobi Design Week is committed to championing diverse voices and fostering an inclusive design ecosystem. 'Our partnership with the Ogilvy Africa Network this year perfectly embodies this mission, providing a powerful platform for female creatives to thrive and shape the future of design,' said Jankowiak.
Meanwhile, creative professionals can now register on the platform to showcase their portfolios and unlock opportunities, including jobs and creative project collaborations. The Nairobi Design Week, running from March 9th to March 16th, features an extensive showcase of design works from Kenya and international designers from Uganda and Zimbabwe, workshops, and also interactive installations that celebrate the intersection of tradition and innovation, highlighting the creative synergy between heritage and modernity.