01 May 2026

The African Women in Cinema Blog celebrates International Workers’ Day: African Women's Films of Women and Work


The African Women in Cinema Blog
celebrates International Workers’ Day 
African Women's Films of Women and Work 
 
Safi Faye's Fad,jal : "Fad signifies “Arrive” and Jal means “Work”. “Work” because when you arrive at this farming village called Fadial, you must work. When you work, you’re happy, and if you don’t work, people will mock you". 
 
A selection of articles from the African Women in Cinema Blog features interviews, film synopses and descriptions, analyses and discussions regarding women's work and labor as well as explorations regarding relationships with co-workers, employers and clients. The films explore strategies for empowerment, for organizing and solidarity, as well as highlight women's experiences in non-traditional jobs, as exploited laborers and as migrant workers.

Rosine Mbakam : Chez jolie coiffure
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2020/02/festival-films-femmes-afrique-2020_24.html

Safi Faye : Fad,jal
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2018/05/safi-fayes-fadjal-cannes-classics-2018.html

Safi Faye : Selbe, one among many | Selbe et tant d'autres
http://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2018/05/safi-faye-selbe-one-among-many-selbe-et.html
 
 
Bibata est partie… (Bibata is gone) by/de Nana Hadiza Akawala (Niger)
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2019/02/fespaco-2019-bibata-est-partie-bibata.html

Labouring Women by Tsitsi Dangarembga (Institute of Creative Arts for Progress in Africa)
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2013/08/labouring-women-by-tsitsi-dangarembga.html

Aïssata Ouarma: The Silence of Others
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2012/10/aissata-ouarma-silence-of-others.html

Theresa Traore Dahlberg and the Taxi Sister
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2011/06/theresa-traore-dahlberg-and-taxi-sister.html

Rahel Zegeye: The Experiences of an Ethiopian Migrant Worker and Filmmaker in Lebanon
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2011/09/rahel-zegeye-experiences-of-ethiopian.html