I was born a girl

The Right to Economic Empowerment – Zanele Mbeki

Artist: Minna Pietarinen
Year: 2024
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Dimensions: 100 × 150 cm (including frame)

The Right to Economic Empowerment – Zanele Mbeki is an inspiring original acrylic painting by Finnish artist Minna Pietarinen, created in 2023 for the internationally touring I Was Born a Girl exhibition. This artwork pays tribute to Zanele Mbeki, renowned South African feminist, social worker, and founder of the Women’s Development Bank Trust — an organisation dedicated to strengthening economic independence and financial inclusion for women across the African continent.

Through its layered textures and uplifting palette, the painting reflects the transformative impact of women’s economic empowerment: the ability to make decisions, build livelihoods, support families, and shape communities. The work speaks to Mbeki’s lifelong vision — that true equality can only flourish when women have the tools, resources, and opportunities to thrive.

Widely exhibited, this piece has become a powerful symbol within the I Was Born a Girl collection, reminding audiences that financial autonomy is not only a right, but a foundation for dignity, stability, and generational change.