Pinky Ghelani Builds a Movement That Celebrates Women

From mall gatherings to a full-fledged movement, Pinky Ghelani shares the journey of the What Women Want Summit and why it’s more than just an event—it’s a lifeline for women.

Angela Wambui, Lush Angela & Monicah Muhoya with OVAReact Podcast guest Pinky Ghelani at the What Women Want Summit in March 2025

The Birth of a Movement

Pinky Ghelani, founder of the What Women Want Summit, shared with us on the OVAReact Podcast the summit’s evolution which began in 2017 as small conversations in malls has blossomed into a transformative platform for women across Africa.

"It’s bigger than myself," Pinky emphasised. "It’s guided by something higher, a purpose." When the pandemic hit, the summit pivoted online, but Pinky felt a relentless pull to bring women together in person. "I couldn’t sleep. There was this voice saying, ‘You have to do this.’"

The summit’s name, What Women Want, was a deliberate rejection of reductive labels. Through meditation, the name came to her, and it was a declaration that women’s desires are multifaceted, from career ambitions to personal healing.

A Space for All Women

The summit’s magic lies in its diversity. Politicians, athletes, marketers, and podcasters share the same stage, breaking silos. "Why shouldn’t a politician and a sports star learn from each other?" Pinky asked. The intentional lineup from discussions on infertility to colour theory reflects real, layered conversations women crave.

Pinky’s personal journey of grief and rebirth shaped the summit’s focus on healing. "Trauma births a new you," she said. Attendees often leave feeling "watered"—a term echoed by us as hosts. As participants during the summit earlier this year in March we observed the summit was a safe space for vulnerability and growth.

The Future: A Legacy Beyond Pinky

Pinky envisions the summit outgrowing her. "It shouldn’t need me to exist," she said, highlighting plans to institutionalise it as a self-sustaining movement. Her dream? For women to keep "feeling alive, connected, and free" long after her direct involvement.

Pinky’s final words during the podcast conversation was the urge for women to attend the various events organised through her platform, she said this is an opportunity for women to Invest in themselves so they’ll leave watered.

We can attest that the What Women Want Summit isn’t just an event it’s a testament to what happens when women create spaces that honour their full selves. We invite you to

OVAReact with us and press play below!