Toyin aka Standtall, is a Nigerian blogger and activist who writes about gender inequality, social empowerment and feminism in her blog Gender and Me. In 2009, she received a BlogHer Scholarship and was invited to speak at the BlogHer Conference in July 2009 about her blog and how it is changing the lives of many women and girls throughout Africa.

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What made you start this venture? Why are you doing this?

I am an activist that is keenly interested in and working on gender equality, women’s rights, feminism, ICT for Development and security. I am doing this because I believe the world will be a better place if we address all these challenges and difficulties we are faced with.

What do you hope to achieve?

I believe in women’s rights, a transformed Africa, a changed perspective and mindset on gender issues, and a continent that will use all of its natural resources to develop itself. I am currently on a study fellowship with King’s College on Peace and Security for African Women so I can gain further knowledge to help push forward the changes I wish to see in the world. When these changes start to happen on a larger scale, when leadership in Africa is about people and not self, I believe I would have achieved something tangible in line of my work for what I stand for.

How long have you been working on this?

Since my university days which was 11 years ago. I got much more involved and focus on activism after my university education.

What is the most interesting discovery you have made since starting this project?

I have discovered that not everybody who is passionate about an issue necessarily practices what they preach.

Where do you see this project in 10 years?

I believe that there would be a tremendous change in Africa regarding all the issues mentioned in 10 years time.

When did you start travelling?

Since 2004

How and why did you travel for the first time?

I travelled to Ghana in a luxury bus with all staff of Baobab for Women’s Human Rights where I was working then for a staff retreat and strategic planning.

In what places have you lived and what languages do you speak?

I have lived in Nigeria and I am currently living in London for 6 Months at the moment. I speak Yoruba [my local language] and English.

What’s your favorite city so far?

Chicago

If you could take only one item with you to travel the world, what would it be?

Laptop.

Give us your global nomad profile:
window or aisle? window (despite not liking to fly)
boat or plane? plane
train or bus? train
walk or bike? walk
metro or trolley? metro
tropical, temperate, polar? temperate
hotel,hostel, local’s apartment? hotel
must have fashion piece when traveling? earrings
explore/map or tour guide? tour guide