Presented at IDD Brussels 2026, the new WYDE Political Parties documentary explores the experiences, challenges and aspirations of women and young people working to shape political leadership across Africa.
What does it take to become a political leader? And what happens when women and young people challenge traditional barriers to political participation?
Filmed across Kenya, Uganda and Ghana, the documentary brings together personal stories from different generations of political leadership: pioneers who challenged exclusion, people navigating political institutions today, and emerging leaders determined to shape the future.
Through their experiences, We Shall Lead explores the barriers that continue to limit women’s and young people’s political participation, the importance of representation, and the determination of those working to bring change from within political systems.
Rather than presenting a single model of leadership, the film offers an intimate look at the people behind political change — their motivations, struggles and hopes for the future.
From personal stories to a wider conversation on leadership
The documentary was featured at the International Democracy Day Brussels Conference on 17 September 2026, where a special preview opened the WYDE Initiative session, Rethinking Leadership from the Ground Up.
The screening provided a starting point for a broader discussion bringing together perspectives from WYDE Women Leadership, Civic Engagement and Political Parties.
Building on the stories portrayed in the film, the conversation explored how democratic leadership is evolving across communities, civic movements and political institutions — and what the international democracy support community can learn from those working closest to these realities.
With its official release, We Shall Lead now invites wider audiences to discover the voices and experiences of those shaping political participation and representation across Africa.
