In Conversation

In just ten years Alek Wek went from dodging bullets in the south of Sudan to becoming one of the world's most sought after models. As a teenager she made the perilous journey to London, seeking asylum, and before long broke into the fashion industry at a time when dark-skinned models were rare. She now campaigns for victims of war as one of UNHCR's goodwill ambassadors. She tells Anne Soy her remarkable story.

Bobbi Brown began her career at a time when the blonde, Scandinavian look was in vogue. Fed up with the lack of make-up being marketed towards women who looked like her, she created her own products targeted at women of all shades. She launched her eponymous brand in 1990 with a small collection of lipsticks which quickly sold out in stores. With a career spanning over three decades, Bobbi Brown has become synonymous with the clean, polished look coveted by women around the world. Nomsa Maseko talks to her about building a successful business and encouraging inclusiveness in an exclusive industry.

Sania Mirza is one of India's most iconic sports stars, who has helped to raise the profile of tennis in a country obsessed with cricket. She is currently world number 1 in the women's doubles rankings, the first Indian to achieve the feat. She has a huge fan following in India and has also been a very vocal champion of women's rights in the country, having been targeted by critics for her gender, religion and even whom she chose to marry. Yogita Limaye talks to Mirza about her journey and the many controversies she has had to face along the way.

 Hilary Swank is a two time Oscar-winning actor who has taken on some of Hollywood's grittiest roles. She comes from humble beginnings - she grew up in a trailer park and lived in a car until she got her big break. Now she is as much an advocate as she is an actor with her campaigns for transgender rights as well as working with military families. Rajini Vaidyanathan talks to her about her rise to the top and being a woman in Hollywood.

The International Criminal Court in The Hague is a rare international institution because it's headed by a woman. The ICC's critics say it is slow and expensive. It's also controversial because so far all its cases have come from Africa. The ICC's prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, is a lawyer from Gambia. Zeinab Badawi talks to her about justice, gender, race and leading an institution that is rarely out of the news.