WHO WE ARE – Wempower

WHO WE ARE?

The representation of women through media, all over the world, is filled with stereotypes and misconception and we believe that we can change this with a different perspective, made of a positive, inclusive and powerful stories of women that are fighting everyday against patriarchy, violation of human rights, culture, religion, pay gap and more, leading by examples and empowering other women to overcome the obstacles caused by a male-lead society.

We are a network of journalists based in different corners of the world, from different cultures and religions, but we share the common goal of wanting to rewrite the narrative about gender issues and women rights and we want to build a strong network of women that are capable of change and want to inspire new generations through their work, talent and passion.

Play Video

There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish!

Michelle Obama

First lady of america, lawyer and author

Here at Wempower we believe in positive, inspiring, inclusive and open mind individuals that are capable of inspiring changes and stand for others, sharing knowledge and experiences.

Integrity, accountability, diligence, perseverance and discipline are our core values.

Meet the founder

Discover the talents behind Wempower

Ilaria Biancacci, is a journalist with over 10 years of experience in the media field, across tv, radio and magazine newsrooms. She has developed a deep interest and knowledge for gender issues, women rights and equality, especially while working as freelance journalist from Palestine, Lebanon and Turkey, for several Italian magazines and newspapers.

In 2020 she launched Wempower, a news platform focused on stories of ordinary extraordinary women, change makers, pioneers and leaders, that are creating a more inclusive, diverse and equal society. The aim of Wempower is to change the narrative on gender issues, bringing to the front page more positive and inspirational stories, provide work opportunities for women in journalism, especially from marginalised and underrepresented communities, empower women in the media field through courses, mentoring and coaching programs, and increase gender representation and diversity in the newsrooms, especially in decision making positions.

meet the team

Catherine lives in England and is beginning an MA in Journalism at the University of Sheffield in September 2024.

She graduated with a Politics and International Relations degree from the University of York in 2023.

She has been passionate about feminism and women’s issues since she was a teenager, witnessing the pink protests in the USA (2017) as a response to the election of Donald Trump, and doing a secondary school presentation on why feminism still matters in twenty-first-century British society.

In sixth form, she attended regional protests and wrote an article for her local newspaper on student campaigns against government inaction on climate change. Since then, she has continued to educate herself on women’s issues through feminist literature and journalism. Moreover, she has remained a passionate feminist, involving herself in campaigns for women’s human rights and raising awareness of misogyny in society.

During her time at university, she participated in the ‘Girls Night In’ movement in 2021, which aimed to raise awareness about women being spiked in pubs and clubs. Additionally, she hosted female-only salons to facilitate discussions on the daily sexism women encounter and broader feminist issues. The salons were successful, and she continued to host them throughout her university years, providing women with a safe space to discuss these important topics. Catherine is additionally passionate about misogyny in the music industry; she conducted her dissertation on misogyny in the ‘Britpop’ era in the UK (1991-1999).

After her master’s, Catherine hopes to work as a journalist.

Catherine worked previously with WEMPOWER during her summer internship in 2022, and her exceptional performance led to her becoming a permanent member of the team.

Priyanka is a researcher, published author and cross-border journalist with over 4 years of experience in women’s community outreach programs across India.

She was awarded a Junior Research fellowship by the government of India in 2023.

She is currently working on Translation and Interdisciplinary dialogues.

With over 3 years of experience in journalism, her articles on geopolitics and Intersectional issues have been published across diverse platforms.

Her column Unheared Narratives for Wempower will deal with gender issues from India along with South Asia and America.

As a tribal woman hailing from North-western India, English is an acquired language, she aspires to break the language barrier among policymakers and indigenous communities globally.

Amina was born in Kassel, Germany, in 1995 to an Italian mother and an Egyptian father. At the age of 2, she returned with her mother to her homeland, growing up in an all-female family near Venice.

With a strong interest in languages and a curiosity about other cultures, Amina pursued studies in foreign languages during high school, becoming fluent in English, French, and Spanish. These language skills enabled her to establish friendly and professional networks worldwide.

In July 2019, Amina graduated from the University of Padua with a degree in Political Science, International Relations, and Human Rights. Her dissertation focused on the African American civil rights movement, exploring the historical context and the persistent racial condition in the United States. Titled “African-American Civil Rights Movement: a timeline from Martin Luther King Jr. to Barack Obama presidency,” her research highlighted the significant roles played by Coretta Scott King and Michelle Robinson Obama in the fight against racial discrimination.

Amina’s activist impulse was further fueled by experiences in the United States, where she visited significant historical sites and participated in events such as Michelle Obama’s book presentation.

In June 2021, Amina has joined Wempower’s team as freelance contributor, and after a short break due to a career change, she came back in Janurary 2024 as Editor.

She aims to change the narrative around gender stereotypes and inspire future generations through positive examples and practices.

Marica is a journalist with over six years of experience in reporting news, crime, politics and culture.

Throughout her career in a newsroom, she had the opportunity to give a voice to victims of gender discrimination, raising awareness on issues such as domestic violence against women and LGBTQ+ rights.

Marica’s commitment to feminism and gender equality prompted her to pursue a designated Master’s degree at SOAS University of London, with a focus on Africa and the Middle East.

Now, she occasionally lectures on Gender and Sexuality at school. Her dream is to merge this passion with her dedication to journalism, challenging stereotypical representations of women in the media and advocating for a feminist perspective in our male-dominated society.

Wempower seems the right place for her voice to make a real difference.

Grace is a 20-year-old university student currently pursuing a degree in Philosophy, Communications, and Society.

Her passion for writing about topics that ignite her enthusiasm and dedication makes her a perfect fit for an organization like Wempower.

Grace believes in the importance of empowering women and amplifying the voices of inspirational figures, while also shedding light on the challenges and battles women face on a daily basis.

Before embarking on her current academic path, Grace pursued A-levels in Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry. She then enrolled in Civil Engineering at university for a year before ultimately deciding to switch to a more creative field that resonated with her better.

As a woman in STEM, Grace has experienced firsthand the challenges, discrimination, and casual misogyny prevalent in male-dominated environments.

Through her articles, Grace aspires to connect with women and girls who may feel isolated or marginalized in society. Her goal is to inspire women to defy norms, speak out, and occupy the spaces they deserve.

She firmly believes in the power of the written word to effect change and is committed to dismantling the patriarchy one article at a time.