Making space for girls to speak up and own their power.Â
Hi John,
Last week I shared Srijana’s act of #EverydayFeminism, which was to acknowledge those who came before us. The generations of women, men, and people of diverse genders that fought to secure the rights and freedoms that some of us enjoy today. We honour them. We learn from them.
This week we’re highlighting a women’s rights activist that puts young people at the heart of the women’s movement in Kenya.
Shyleen’s Act of #EverydayFeminism: Nurturing the youth Â
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Shyleen (pictured above) is the Executive Director of Young Women’s Leadership Institute (YWLI) in Kenya.
 “We work with young feminists at the grassroots level providing leadership and [confidence] building sessions for young women so that they advocate for their rights and challenge oppression."
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Her inspiration comes from the next generation of feminist leaders, some of whom are still at school. She encourages girls to meet, discuss and plan campaigns that tackle issues that are important to them.
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“What brings me joy is seeing girls really speak out loud and proud. At that particular age, there were things that would make me angry, but I didn't have the power to speak about them.
 I get so much joy when we organise events for girls, and you see them go from being quiet, and then they really soar and take up leadership positions.”
The Young Women’s Leadership Institute (YWLI) is showing young girls in Kenya that their voice matters, their opinions deserve to be heard and that coming together makes change happen.
Women’s rights are under threat right now. We must keep organisations like the Young Women’s Leadership Institute (YWLI) going so that young feminists are ready to challenge whatever the future throws at them.
Will you help us fund activists like Shyleen to support the next generation?
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Gifts go twice as far this March
A generous corporate donor has agreed to match all gifts to this appeal pound for pound until the end of March. That’s twice the impact with one donation.
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Thank you in advance for your support.
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With best wishes,
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Martina Hoggart
Individual Giving Manager Womankind Worldwide
Header image: Shyleen Momanyi, Executive Director of Young Women's Leadership Institute in Nairobi, Kenya. (Photo credit: Atieno Muyuyi)
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