In the teaser for the Unspoken series, Cynthia Okeke questions whether “many of us are born into roles long before we are born into ourselves.” She then goes on to say, “Today, we are asking a question that lives quietly in many homes, spoken softly and enforced loudly.”

What is challenged in this episode of Unspoken? The long-held belief in Africa that the man is the head.

UNSPOKEN: Conversations That Matter is a six-episode digital series exploring gender, power, identity, and equity in Africa. UNSPOKEN aims to challenge long-held beliefs, question inherited doctrines, and create a space for us to have the conversations that matter—conversations many of us have avoided for far too long. Hosted by media maven Cynthia Okeke, the series tackles topics such as Who Really Leads in Love?, Parenting the Next Generation, and much more. Filmed in Nigeria, we spoke with panelists across all business sectors who are also journeying through life about real conversations that are typically left unsaid!

In this premiere episode of Unspoken, which is out July 16th 2026, 7 pm WAT, we explore African gender roles, marriage, faith, tradition, emotional labour, and what equity looks like in modern relationships. Together with our panelists and mental health expert, we unpack the expectations placed on men and women and ask whether leadership and partnership can truly coexist.

The first episode is out now and is available to watch on YouTube.

Follow Unspoken on Instagram

This episode is part of the Gender Norms Entertainment & Media Hub Project, supporting storytellers in Nigeria and Kenya to create gender-equitable narratives in film, TV, and digital media. Powered by CcHUB in partnership with Africa No Filter supported by Gates Foundation.