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The Cultural Frontline: Girl bands

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Girl Bands

29/01/2022 GMT

Girl bands

BBC World Service - The Cultural Frontline, Girl bands

The female bands from across the globe, striking a note for gender equality

All-female bands striking a note for gender equality: Indonesian Muslim metal band VOB; K-Pop’s (G)I-dle; Fafa Ruffino of Les Amazones d’Afrique; and Benin’s Star Feminine Band.

As we say farewell to Ronnie Spector of '60s original "girl group" the Ronettes, and 25 years on from the Spice Girls’ 90s message of "girl power", we meet all-female bands striking a note for gender equality.

Heavy metal in a hijab, the Indonesian Muslim metal band Voice of Baceprot, rocking out against traditional gender expectations.

The all-girl group from Benin, Star Feminine Band, singing-out joyfully for girls’ right to school, not marriage.

K-Pop superstars (G)I-dle - we talk to the non-Korean members finding friendship and fame in the South Korean music machine.

Plus, Fafa Ruffino explains how her grandmother’s songs about her life inspired her to join African women’s rights "supergroup" Les Amazones d’Afrique.

Presenter: Chi Chi Izundu
Producer: Emma Wallace
Reporters: Frank McWeeny and Laura Bicker

(Photo: Voice of Baceprot. Credit: Bay Ismoyo/AFP/Getty Images)

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