On Thursday, September 11th, 2025, we gathered in Lansing for the exclusive pre-launch cocktail of Feminine Silence, hosted by the Broad Black MBA Association in partnership with the Broad Women MBA Association and the Ntha Foundation.
The event brought together students and community members to celebrate the second book by Nthanda Manduwi. More than just a book launch, it was an evening of reflection, courage, and dialogue about the systems that shape our lives—and the possibilities that lie ahead when we commit to equity and empowerment.
About Feminine Silence
Set against decades of global data, lived realities, and cross-cultural lessons, Feminine Silence challenges the quiet systems that limit both men and women. It unpacks how these systems have endured across cultures and generations, and it dares us to imagine a world where empowerment is not an exception but an expectation.
Drawing from Manduwi’s decade of work in the space of gender equality with the United Nations, the book bridges research, advocacy, and lived experience. It is both a critique and a call to action: a demand for collective courage in dismantling harmful norms and building a future where men and women can thrive side by side.
Highlights from the Evening
The pre-launch cocktail was more than an introduction to a book—it was a shared space for honest conversation.
- Author Talk & Reading: Attendees heard excerpts from Feminine Silence, each passage sparking fresh reflection on the complexities of power, equity, and voice.
- Fireside Discussion: In an intimate exchange, Manduwi shared the journey of writing the book and the urgency of its themes, weaving in the personal, the political, and the universal.
- Networking Reception: Students, faculty, and community members connected over shared commitments to justice and leadership, strengthening bonds across disciplines and backgrounds.
- Book Signing: Guests left with signed copies of Feminine Silence, carrying with them both the words and the spirit of the evening.
Part of the #StopTheCount Campaign
This launch also connected to the #StopTheCount campaign by Equality Now, which amplifies voices across Africa calling for governments to ratify, domesticate, and implement the Maputo Protocol—Africa’s landmark legal instrument protecting the rights of women and girls.
The statistics remain stark: 42% of women in Eastern and Southern Africa experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. In some countries, 1 in 5 youth report sexual violence by an intimate partner. These are not just numbers; they are urgent reminders that systemic change is needed now.
By situating Feminine Silence within this movement, the event reminded us that literature can be a tool for advocacy, and gatherings like this can be platforms for solidarity.
To everyone who joined us: thank you. Your presence, your questions, and your willingness to engage made the evening deeply meaningful. This book belongs not only to its author, but also to the community that embraces it, challenges it, and carries its message forward.
Get Your Copy
Feminine Silence will become available on the 14th of September for purchase via Amazon. The journey of this book has only just begun, and we invite you to be part of it—whether by reading, sharing, or starting conversations in your own spaces.
