From November 25 to December 10, individuals and organizations worldwide commemorate 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls. The Mandela Washington Fellowship is proud of the Fellowship Alumni who are working to address gender-based violence in their communities and across the continent.
Osasu Paul-Azino created the HERfessions mobile app, an anonymous platform designed to support survivors of gender-based violence and ensure that they can find support and resources. The app also provides the opportunity to engage in peer-to-peer interactions and consult with trained psychologists, lawyers, and other stakeholders. Learn more about her work harnessing technology to combat gender-based violence.
2019 Fellowship Alumna Gloria Busingye, managing director of The Kontent Kitchen and founder of the Safe Circle for Children Initiative, is advocating for an end to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Rwanda using training and sensitization programs. Read more about Gloria’s work supporting women and girls.
Wuraoluwa Ayodele and Masele Msita, two 2019 Fellowship Alumnae from Nigeria and Tanzania, respectively, are two women who saw needs in their communities and acted to meet them. Wuraoluwa is a lawyer from Nigeria who focuses on women’s rights and helps victims of gender-based violence (GBV) through her organization, the Women’s Safe House Sustenance Initiative. Masele is a marketing strategist with a background in law. She holds workshops in her community in Tanzania to help citizens improve their legal literacy and better understand their rights under the constitution. Hear more about their work in this YALI Voices podcast.
In rural areas, many gender-based violence cases go unreported. 2016 Fellowship Alumna Sarah Mulwa is working to change that. Sarah founded Now for Them Trust, an NGO that raises awareness about gender-based violence in rural communities and works with leaders to ensure that action is taken to support survivors. Learn more about her work.
To inspire her community to unite against gender-based violence, 2017 Fellowship Alumna Charlene Chekenya is bringing stories about gender-based violence survivors to light. She launched the STAND Foundation Trust for Women and Girls to equip young women and girls across Zimbabwe through dialogue on women’s rights, sanitary distributions, self-defense lessons, and mentorship. Learn more about her work bringing stories to light.