Nancy Beryl remembers the first day of the Feminist Leadership for Organizing Bootcamp organized by Global Platforms Kenya and ActionAid International Kenya. What began as an opportunity for personal growth soon became a powerful force for change in Nyokal, Homabay County.
After completing the bootcamp, Nancy and 10 other young people applied their newly acquired knowledge of feminist leadership to organize workshops during the 16 Days of Activism in 2024. These workshops aimed to challenge deeply entrenched patriarchal norms, educate the community on gender equity, and promote feminist leadership as a tool for social transformation.
“We wanted to create a space where young people could discuss the impact of patriarchy on their lives and explore how they could play a role in changing their community,” Nancy shared. The workshops, held both online and in person, attracted 68 participants in the virtual sessions and 33 in the physical workshops.
As the initiative gained momentum, Nancy and her peers took a bold step: they launched the Nyokal Feminist Movement, a youth-led movement advocating for gender equality and challenging societal norms. Their success was not only evident in the 10 young people who received certificates after completing the Global Organizing for Leadership Development (GOLD) 1st cohort training, but also in the ripple effect the movement had on the broader community.
“We’ve seen a shift in how young people view leadership and organizing. We now have a platform to advocate for gender equity, and it’s empowering not just us, but the entire community,” Nancy explained. The Nyokal Feminist Movement is a testament to the power of feminist leadership in driving real, lasting change.
The movement’s impact was felt not only in the training but in the transformation of attitudes towards gender roles in the community. By challenging the pervasive systems of patriarchy, these young leaders are reshaping Nyokal’s future. With the organizing skills they gained, they created a platform for the youth to address issues of gender injustice, inequality, and exclusion. It’s a movement that demonstrates how grassroots organizing, fueled by feminist leadership, can spark meaningful change.
Through their activism, young people in Nyokal are not just standing up against gender inequality, they’re shaping a future where feminist leadership guides the way in the fight for gender justice. The Nyokal Feminist Movement is living proof that when young people are empowered with the tools of feminist leadership, they can create a world that is more just and equal for all.
Author: Jilly Kaunda, Women’s Rights Trainer and Facilitator. Global Platforms, ActionAid Kenya. Edited by Ezra Kiriago ,Communications Coordinator ActionAid Kenya.