Hickmatu Leigh, a skilled, crafty and talented Sierra Leonean photographer and content creator has won the prestigious ‘Best In Fest’ Award in Kigali, Rwanda.
There were over 160 creative works that were showcased and submitted at the Women Deliver Arts and Film Festival by students, independent filmmakers, diverse regions, UN/NGO agencies, and even Oscar/Emmy-winning production companies.
Throughout this series of exposé, Leigh’s work was the centre of attraction and applause.
Hickmatu Leigh is a graduate of Njala University where she majored in Public Health.
At just 26, her motive for photography is to shine a spotlight on the sad debacle of the African woman and patriarchal culture where women are second choices and often disregarded in society.
Hickmatu is emphatic on the infamous role the patriarchal system plays in shaping women’s freedom of expression and their less representation in every sphere of society.
Enmeshed with joy and thankfulness, Leigh was truly gleeful when her name was announced before a global audience of approximately 7000 participants, both in person and online.
“I have never won anything in my life,” Leigh said.
The award is seen as an inspiration to every young Sierra Leonean girl out there to follow their passion and amplify their voice across the world.
