Articles

We are a collective of adolescent girls, young women (AGYW) and young gender-diverse people from across Eastern and Southern Africa held together by our pan-African intersectional feminist politics and the desire to live in a world where we can live in a world free from violence and intersecting inequalities. We find ourselves navigating a world […]

27  May 2024 By Lilian N. Mbuthi: Kenyan #WhatGirlsWant Country Focal Point Picture this: a room buzzing with energy, hearts pounding with anticipation, and minds ignited by passion. This was the scene at the Danish Embassy in Kenya, the day before the beginning of the 2024 United Nations Conference on Civil Society, where I had

SHELEARNS is a programme driven by young women who want to be meaningfully involved in making change. The primary objective is to strengthen the capacities of adolescent girls and young women on feminist research skills, and SRHR and human rights advocacy in their own countries and communities. The project engages a wide network of primarily

Across the world there is a consensus that June is Pride month. Pride Month is a month dedicated to celebrating LGBTQI+ people; advocating for and protecting their rights and freedom. Pride month is dedicated to paying respect to LGBTQI+ people who have lost their lives because their sexual orientation and gender identity does not fit

Millions of girls, women, and gender-diverse people worldwide struggle with period poverty, which makes it a severe problem. According to Irise International, period poverty affects more than 500 million girls, women, and gender-diverse people.  Period poverty, also called menstrual poverty, is the lack of access to period products; sanitary facilities; healthcare services; and information about periods.

The 24th of January was International Day of Education. It is a moment to acknowledge that accessible and equitable education is a human right, providing it is a public responsibility. It is a call to raise awareness about how it contributes to sustainable development, ending inequalities, peace, and development. The 2023 theme was ‘to invest

Globally, on the 3rd of December, we observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. Girls, young women (AGYW) and young gender-diverse people aged between 15 and 24 are three times more

Globally, the 1st of December is observed as World AIDS Day. It’s an opportunity for people to unite globally in the fight against HIV, show support for people living with HIV, and commemorate the lives of those who have passed away from an AIDS-related illness.Adolescent girls, young women (AGYW) and young gender-diverse people in Eastern

As we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the Girl. This year’s theme is “Our time is now—our rights, our future”. And a loud reminder that protecting girls’ rights is important for creating a better future and achieving gender equality globally. Feminists, women and girls’ rights activists and other human rights defenders

The 28th of May marks Menstrual Hygiene Day. It is a global call to action and advocacy platform that brings together the voices and actions of non-profits, government agencies, individuals, the private sector and the media to promote good menstrual health and hygiene for everyone who menstruates. We also aim to: break the silence, raise

“The recognition of the LGBTQIA+ community is a matter of recognising that everyone has the right to have their human rights protected. May today ignite the visibility to assembling a new, better, diverse and inclusive world. May we see the LGBTQIA+ people as human as everyone else?” – Elidah Maita, Kenyan #WhatGirlsWant focal point The

Introduction  The 6th of February is International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Approximately 200 million women and girls around the world have suffered the harmful practice while 3 million girls are at risk of FGM in the African continent. The situation in Africa is further exacerbated by the fact that female

Living in a patriarchal world with deep-rooted gender inequalities, girls and young women in the Eastern and Southern Africa Region face barriers to enjoying their sexual and reproductive health and rights, accessing quality healthcare, and remain vulnerable to HIV, sexually transmitted infections, unplanned and unsafe pregnancies. In a world where sex is weaponised, against girls,