Esther Mwema

Esther Mwema is an award-winning artist and digital inequalities expert from Zambia, working on issues around internet governance, internet infrastructure and internet freedom. Esther’s practice intersects art and tech-innovation, interrogating hidden systems of power in digital society ranging from fiber optic cables, digital colonialism to gender inequality.

Esther has over 10 years commitment to social impact via her nonprofits Digital Grassroots and Safety First for Girls (SAFIGI) Foundation, including extensive work within the UN system. Esther is an Open Internet leader who centers African feminist and decolonial methodologies in practice. She is recipient of the Green Screen Coalition Catalyst Fund Award, Mozilla Creative Media Award and Prince Claus Seed Award, among more. Esther holds an MSc in Inequalities from the London School of Economics.