Mercy’s path to becoming an advocate for women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) began in 2018, in a classroom that would shape her future in ways she never anticipated. “I joined an automotive class in early 2019, a class of 50 people which was male-dominated,” Mercy recalls. The absence of female peers was stark, and the message she received was even starker: “I was told that the course was not meant for women.”

But where others saw barriers, Mercy saw an opportunity. “My curiosity drove me to pursue automotive engineering,” she says. “I wanted to understand how cars work.”

However, Mercy’s journey from a curious student to a skilled engineer was far from smooth. After graduating with a diploma in Automotive Engineering, she faced a harsh reality that many women in STEM fields encounter: “Three years after graduating, I am jobless. Unable to secure an internship or employment opportunities on the basis that I am a woman!”

The statistics Mercy cites are sobering. According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in 2023, women make up only 28% of the STEM workforce. In Kenya’s automotive sector, the picture is even bleaker. “Each year, TVET institutions in Kenya release over 500 young women with Automotive skills into the marketplace,” Mercy explains. “With this number of skilled women in the marketplace, 80% end up without access to internship and employment opportunities.”

These numbers aren’t just statistics for Mercy; they represent shattered dreams and untapped potential. “I am a representation of women in engineering, whose dreams have been shattered due to lack of opportunities,” she says.

But Mercy Mwende is not one to accept defeat. Instead, she’s channeling her experiences into a powerful advocacy campaign. Her petition, targeting key players such as Toyota Kenya, the Public Service Commission, and Isuzu Kenya, calls for a 30% increase in internship and employment opportunities for women in Automotive Engineering.

“They are at the forefront of decision-making in the automotive industry,” Mercy explains her choice of targets. “They have a lot of influence in decision-making.”

Mercy’s vision extends beyond just increasing numbers. She sees a future where women not only enter the field but thrive in it. “If we succeed, we’ll reduce the rate of unemployment,” she says. “More women will take up engineering and mentorship. It provides a platform to actualize the 50% rule.”

Her advocacy work has opened doors and expanded her network, but it hasn’t been without its challenges. “Advocacy does take a lot from you,” Mercy admits. She’s even faced rejection from unexpected quarters, recalling an incident where a woman manager at a garage saw her as a liability because of her gender. “The same gender you are fighting for might not see the vision that you have for your field,” she reflects.

Despite these setbacks, Mercy remains undaunted. Her message to young women considering a career in automotive engineering is both realistic and inspiring: “There will always be obstacles in any field. STEM fields do harden you,” she advises. “Learn to stand your ground. Find a balance. Have the focus on your mind.”

As Mercy Mwende continues her fight for gender equality in Kenya’s automotive industry, she embodies the change she wishes to see. Her petition, her advocacy, and her unwavering determination are not just about securing jobs; they’re about reimagining an entire industry.

“I believe that the Engineering sector needs women in it,” Mercy states. In a world where cars are still predominantly designed, built, and repaired by men, Mercy Mwende is not just opening doors; she’s rebuilding the entire garage. And in doing so, she’s paving the way for a new generation of women to drive change in Kenya’s automotive industry.

The post How Mercy Mwende is Revving Up the Male-Dominated Auto Industry appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

The goal of this immersive five-day program is to empower Change Leaders from Kenya who can amplify marginalized voices and support women from underserved communities in leading socially impactful campaigns. This residential program, which will run from May 26 to May 30 in Kajiado County, will see 28 new women Change Leaders pledging to proactively address the grave issues faced by Kenyan women.

At the Launchpad, representatives from various Kenyan counties, including Nairobi, Kiambu, Kisumu, Narok, Isiolo, Kisii, Meru, Samburu, and Vihiga, showcased 22 emerging Change Leaders advocating for marginalized communities’ issues.

Three of the Change Leaders ran for political office for MCA and Senatorial seats in the 2022 elections, while two are medical practitioners. One participant has been honoured with a Head of State’s Commendation (HSC) and has received recognition for her work in areas connected with women’s rights and education advocacy.

Moreover, Preethi Herman, CEO of Nguvu Collective, envisions Launchpad Kenya empowering women change-makers from marginalized communities to drive social change.

Nguvu Collective’s transformational leadership program has trained over 400 women Change Leaders in India and more than 150 in Nigeria and South Africa. Their campaigns have resulted in approximately 50 policy-level changes and directly impacted the lives of over 180 million women.

Naomi Kolian, who has come onboard this year with Nguvu Collective, adds, “I am an anti-FGM activist from Narok County. Nguvu Collective’s Launchpad has been a safe space for me to ideate collective solutions with fellow change leaders. It is empowering to be heard and to find both support and mentorship here. An initiative like this was much needed and instilled renewed confidence in those of us who have felt very isolated in our journey to driving social change.”

Harriet Afandi, a Nguvu Change Leader, leading a campaign for the prevention of Obstetric Violence (OBV) in hospitals, states, “Over the past year, Nguvu Collective has consistently supported my journey, enabling its evolution and progress. My goal is to promote the maternal and human rights of every woman. The training from Nguvu has equipped me with insights into how to actively reach out to policymakers to demand urgent and concrete action.”

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Mission and Vision: Empowering Women, Transforming Communities

Nguvu Collective’s mission is to create an enabling environment for women to learn, share, connect, and run impactful campaigns on issues that matter most to them. This environment not only fosters change but also transforms communities. “We have an ambition to get 1,000 women leaders from marginalized communities across Africa to become strong and powerful social leaders – driving impact and inspiring many other girls to follow suit,” says Durga Nandini, Co-founder and Chief Advisor at Nguvu Collective.

The Inspiration Behind Nguvu Collective

The journey of Nguvu Collective began when its founders, Preethi Herman and Durga Nandini, noticed a compelling trend while leading the Change.org Foundation. Women, despite starting fewer campaigns than men, were more likely to succeed due to their commitment, community-building skills, and strong personal experiences. This observation sparked the creation of a women’s leadership program called She Creates Change, which later evolved into the independent entity known today as Nguvu Collective. This model has already shown incredible impact, particularly in Asia, and is now set to inspire similar successes across Africa.

Identifying and Supporting Change Leader

Nguvu Collective employs a robust recruitment process to identify and support Change Leaders. Candidates are nominated by ecosystem partners, apply directly through calls for applications, or are scouted by campaign specialists via social media. The selection process involves understanding the candidates’ backgrounds, motivations, and commitment to social change. Once selected, Change Leaders receive unwavering support for their advocacy efforts, focusing on long-term, positive impacts.

Training and Campaign Support

The support provided by Nguvu Collective is both comprehensive and tailored to the needs of its Change Leaders. The training covers a range of essential skills, including building a personal story, launching advocacy campaigns, engaging with media, and community organizing. These elements are crucial in empowering women from marginalized communities to tell their stories effectively and sustain their advocacy journeys.

Success Stories: Creating Real Impact

Several inspiring campaigns have emerged from Nguvu Collective’s efforts. For instance, Deborah Monari’s campaign against increased charges for essential family planning services in Nairobi led to significant policy changes, making these services more accessible. Similarly, Valerie Aura’s advocacy for safe houses in Kisumu has led to increased awareness and policy commitments to establish safe shelters for survivors of gender-based violence.

Overcoming Challenges and Measuring Success

Despite being in its nascent stages, Nguvu Collective is making significant strides. The organization faces typical startup challenges like resourcing and sustainability, but leverages partnerships to navigate these hurdles. Impact is measured through the progress of Change Leaders’ campaigns, media coverage, public mobilization, and policy changes.

A Vision for the Future

“Nguvu” means “Power” in Swahili, symbolizing the organization’s tribute to women’s power. The long-term vision of Nguvu Collective is to support 1,000 women leaders from marginalized communities across Africa, helping them become strong social leaders. This vision includes robust training, campaign support, and collective building, ensuring sustained action and impact.

Join the Movement

Nguvu Collective’s message to potential supporters and partners is clear: “We embrace partnerships with open arms. They are our biggest strength.” If you are driven to support or join this transformative journey, connect with Nguvu Collective via LinkedIn and X @nguvucollective, or email them at Kenya@nguvucollective.org.

For more information about their training programs and how to get involved, visit [Nguvu Collective’s website](https://www.nguvucollective.org).

By empowering women from marginalized communities, Nguvu Collective is not just creating leaders but is also paving the way for a more equitable society. Join them in this journey of transformation and empowerment.

The post How Nguvu Collective is Transforming Leadership Among Marginalized Women in Kenya appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

Early Career and Inspirations

Before co-founding Nguvu Collective, Durga honed her skills and expertise in various significant roles. Her career began as a television journalist, where she developed a keen understanding of the power of storytelling and media in shaping public opinion and driving social change. This foundation in journalism provided her with the tools to communicate effectively and advocate passionately for causes she believes in.

Advocacy and Campaigning Expertise

Durga’s extensive experience spans renowned organizations like Amnesty International and Change.org. At these institutions, she focused on Communications, Campaigning, Advocacy, and Fundraising in the development sector. Her work at the Change.org Foundation was particularly impactful, as she led initiatives to build digital campaigning and advocacy skills among women. This role allowed her to witness firsthand the potential of women from marginalized communities to drive significant social change when provided with the right tools and support.

Founding Nguvu Collective

The inception of Nguvu Collective was a natural progression of Durga’s passion for empowering women. Alongside Preethi Herman, Durga co-founded the organization with a vision to create an enabling environment for women to learn, share, connect, and lead impactful campaigns. Under her guidance, Nguvu Collective has grown into a powerhouse of advocacy, supporting women leaders in transforming their communities across Africa.

Balancing Professional and Personal Life

Durga’s commitment to her work is paralleled by her dedication to her family. She is a mother to a very talkative 8-year-old girl, who shares her passion for rescuing street animals. This unique aspect of Durga’s life showcases her compassionate nature and her ability to balance a demanding career with personal commitments. Her daughter often accompanies her on animal rescue missions, highlighting a shared bond and a mutual love for advocacy and care.

Legacy and Future Aspirations

Durga’s work with Nguvu Collective is just the beginning of her broader vision for social change. She aims to empower 1,000 women leaders from marginalized communities across Africa, equipping them with the skills and confidence to drive social impact. Through her efforts, she hopes to inspire future generations of women to step into leadership roles and advocate for issues that matter most to them.

The post Durga Nandini: A Catalyst for Change in Women’s Leadership appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

The newly elected Emerging Leaders included Potter Ka Kai Fong and Emily Milton Smith (Asia Pacific), Aybuke Caliskan and Eliska Krizova (EMAS), Rose Poka and Peniel Boye (Africa), and Brianna Simmons and Chauntae Martine (Americas) who will sit in the IC for a period of three years.

Rose, a Gold Award Holder and Volunteer of the President’s Award-Kenya (PA-K) said she will use the opportunity to bring the youth perspective to the International Council deliberations and be the voice of the young people in Africa and the World.

“I appreciate all my peers in the Award who elected me as the Emerging Leader Representative for Africa Region. I appreciate every effort towards this; preparing the documents and video, the endorsements, the prayers, the encouragement to keep going, the votes and the belief in me, just to mention but a few,” she said.

Rose graduated from Egerton University, in July 2022 with a Bachelors degree in Education. She is grateful to the Duke of Edinburgh International Award and the Global Alumni Network for ensuring that young people are on the decision making table.

The IC is chaired by the Chairman of the International Award His Royal Highness (HRH) The Earl of Wessex Prince Edward where they discuss issues that help Trustees to make decisions that influence the course of the Award globally.

They also Supervise the operational functions of the International Award Foundation (IAF), discuss and approve the agenda and arrangements for the global forum of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Association and act on behalf of the International Award Association (IAA) between forum meetings. Additionally, they ensure that decisions made at the forum are put into action and accept qualified National Award Operators (NAOs) into provisional membership of the IAA.

 “I look forward to bringing the youth perspective to the International Council deliberations, representing the young people in Africa and the World.

Rose appreciated PA-K for setting the foundation and according her the chance to be who she is today. Other than being a participant in the Award programme, Rose has volunteered with PA-K since 2016.

“Apart from volunteering for the Award, I have gained a lot of knowledge, grown my networks through interactions and gained confidence in trying out projects I did not have the platform to learn from. If there is anything the Award proves every day is that each one of us has infinite potential,” she said.

 “It is an honour to get this opportunity to represent young people, and more importantly on such a key platform where decisions that influence empowerment of young people are made.  I look forward to bringing the youth perspective to the International Council deliberations, representing the young people in Africa and the World,’’ said Rose.

PA-K Chief Executive Officer Ms. Nellie Munala congratulated Rose on her election urging young people to utilize the space to confirm their central role in developing their communities and countries as a whole.

 “I have seen Rose grow through her engagement with the Award and in turn it has given her the opportunity to support her community and beyond. Having a representative to the council from Kenya means that her exemplary contribution to the work of the Award will come to the fore,” she said.

Ms. Munala said as a champion for non-formal education, the PA-K presents a learning framework through which the youth’s achievements outside academia are recognized and celebrated. She urged the youth to grab the opportunity and participate in the Award programme in order for them to realise their infinite potential.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is the world’s leading youth achievement award founded by HRH, the late Prince Phillip in 1956 to equip young people for life. The Award is available for all young people aged 14 to 24, regardless of their background, culture, physical ability, skills and interests. It is a fully inclusive program and has no social, political, or religious affiliations.

In Kenya, the Award was introduced in 1966 with Kenya’s first president the Late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta becoming its first Patron and chief trustee. The Award has over the years extended its reach impacting the lives of over 121,000 young people in over 1,000 schools, Universities, Middle level Colleges, Youth groups, rehabilitation centres and open Award Centres across the country.

About The President’s Award- Kenya PA-K

The President’s Award- Kenya PA-K, which was launched in Kenya in 1966, is a member of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award which oversees the Award Programme in over 140 countries. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award was founded by His Royal Highness (HRH), The Duke of Edinburgh KG, KT in 1956, in conjunction with Kurt Hahn, a German educationalist and Sir John Hunt.

PA-K is an Agency established by an Act of Parliament, President’s Award Act No. 30 of 2017. It is an exciting self-development programme available to all young people countrywide equipping them with positive life skills to make a difference for themselves, their communities, country and the world.                 

PA-K is a non-formal education and learning framework through which young people’s achievements outside of academia are recognized and celebrated. The young people engaged are between the ages of fourteen (14) to twenty-four (24) years. The main aim is to equip young people for life by encouraging them to acquire universal skills to help them thrive. The universal skills are achieved through engagement in activities that include getting physically active, volunteering within their communities, and discovering a sense of adventure outside the classroom.

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Dr Rose Nabi Deborah Karimi Muthuri, 24, recently graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Systems, becoming Kenya’s youngest female Ph.D Holder. 

On the university website, she says earning her Ph.D is one of the biggest highlights of her academic career.

 “I hope this will inspire more young people to pursue their dreams. It was an extremely challenging journey, but also a blessing and a dream come true,” she said.

Dr Muthuri hopes to use her doctoral thesis which highlights the importance of improving the health and well-being of healthcare workers, to enhance the performance of health systems. “I realized that there was a gap in the positive mental health aspects among the health workforce, and chose to pursue a Ph.D in health systems to gain an in-depth understanding of these workers and their well-being,” she said.

Dr Muthuri, an alumni of the United States International University-Africa in Kenya (USIU), holds a Master of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology (2018) and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology (2016), where she graduated at the top of her class.

Her secret, she reveals, is focusing on the concept of self.

“The idea is never to lose one’s concept of self, because that is what makes an individual unique. Putting God first keeps me motivated and inspired to contribute to improving the health and well-being of others,” she said. Dr Muthuri follows closely in the footsteps of Dr Purity Ngina, an academician and Research and Assessment Manager at Zizi Afrique Foundation. Dr Ngina became Kenyan youngest (Ph.D) graduate in Biomathematics at the age of 28 years.

The post MEET DR ROSE NABI MUTHURI, 24-YEAR-OLD WITH Ph.D appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

In a tweet, KPLC congratulated Yeda and expressed hope in her leadership.

“We are excited to announce the appointment of M/s. Vivienne Yeda, OGW, as the chairman, Board of Directors. She is the first woman to hold this position we look forward to holding this position. We look forward to her stewardship, and that of the entire Board, as we pursue our growth journey “

The Masters of Law holder served as the Director of the General East African Development Band before her appointment. She was awarded African Banker of the Year in 2014 for her exemplary work at EADB.

Yeda replaces replaces Mahboub Maalim.

According to 2017 KIM Leadership and Diversity Research report, representation of women on boards stands at 21 per cent up from 12 per cent in 2012. The same report identified that only 4 of the 52 listed companies sampled had female chairpersons, which is equavalent to 7.7 per cent representation.

Kenya’s Mary Njoroge to officiate at Women’s World Cup in 2023

World Football governing body Fifa has earmarked Kenya’s Mary Njoroge as a prospective woman Assistant Referee candidate in Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023 which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Mary is among 156 referees and assistant referees who have been named for the international showpiece.

The game changer has made huge strides in her career and remains to be a sports woman to reckon with. She was selected to officiate at the Fifa Women’s World Cup that happened in France last year.

She was also called to officiate at the eighth Africa Women’s Championships finals happening in Equatorial Guinea. Last year, Njoroge also made history upon officiating the 2019 U17 Africa cup of nations.

I will not withdraw the surrogacy Bill: Says MP Millie Mabona

HOTO: COURTESY

Mbita Member of Parliament Millie Adhiambo has vowed to stand by her surrogacy bill which elicited negative reactions from a section of prolife activists.

Taking to social media, the outspoken MP sent a stern warning to the demonstrators saying, “…I am withdrawing nothing, nada nono zero…”  

In Kenya, surrogacy is still shrouded in secrecy. To date, no law governs surrogacy and assisted reproduction, however the Reproductive Healthcare Bill 2014 surrogacy can happen informally subject to mutual agreement.

Through this bill, Millie addresses In-Vitro fertilization (IVF) pricing, piling cases surrounding surrogacy and quacks elimination. The IVF pricing presently stands at nearly Sh1 million; many couples have resorted to having the procedure done abroad.

Meanwhile, there have been cases of men eloping with surrogate mothers. According to the proposed bill, such cases will be addressed by a body called Assisted Reproductive Technology Authority.

Black Brazilian ballerina graces Brazilian Vogue cover

PHOTO: COURTESY

Ingrid Silva is the first black Brazillian ballet dancer to appear on Vogue Magazine’s cover. The ballerina celebrated this milestone with her follwers on social media .

“Dreams are possible! Representation is very important in every way…That’s exactly what this cover is. I am representing black women, Brazilian, ballerina (for those who dream or have dreamed) I am making history by being the first black ballerina on the cover of Vogue…” said the co-founder of Blacks in Ballet, a platform that highlights stories of black ballet dancers.

Silva is the founder of a women’s digital platform dubbed EmpowHer New York through which women share their career journeys.

The ballerina has also been ranked among the top 100 under 40 influential women according to Mipad 2020.

The post TOP STORIES: KENYA POWER APPOINTS WOMAN BOARD CHAIRPERSON appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

She is a Kenyan supermodel, a mother, and an entrepreneur.

The one-time Victoria’s Secret model who comes from a marginalized community has also been vocal against skin bleaching. Nasenyana has worked with Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen in her pursuit of a modeling career. She is a philanthropist advocating for access to education for children through her Ajuma Nasanyana Foundation.

The post Ajuma Nasanyana appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

“The goal is to make health journalism interesting and accessible,” she writes.

She is an award-winning health and medicine journalist with over ten years of hands-on newsroom experience inside Kenya’s biggest media house, the Nation Media Group Limited, and also inside Kenya’s oldest media house, The Standard Group PLC

She also worked as the Health and Medicine editor for The Conversation Africa and is passionate about health journalism.

She has expertise in health journalism training, health policy advocacy and health communications with a deep understanding of health issues and extensive relevant networks in global health circles.

In the course of her career she has interviewed Nobel laureate Tim Hunt; celebrity philanthropist Melinda Gates, Dr Ameenah Gurib-Fakim the President of Mauritius, hundreds of doctors and medical researchers, and thousands of ordinary people.

She has shared their joy; known their pain and continues to tell stories that influence policy and change lives.

Wanja holds a Master of Public Health degree, speaks six languages: English, French, Japanese, Chinese, Swahili and Kikuyu and has skills in Kenya Sign Language.

She sits on the board of the Kenya Haemophilia Association and the Kenya Cancer Childhood Trust. In her free time, she tries to live a healthy life (style) in the outdoors through hiking new terrains. She is an exclusive breastfeeding champion, mother to two daughters and a wife.

Do you have an important health story that you would like Wanja to share, or an important health agenda that you want her to follow? Please get in touch on email info@wanjashealthdiary.com or +254788260855.

The post I’M NO DOC BUT A JOURNALIST WHO LOVES HEALTH REPORTING appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

Numerous times, succesful women often go unnoticed. People fail to recognize the accomplishments that women have and the power that they hold. In this category Woman Kenya features profiles of these underrated women.

Meet Mary Onguko-Wanyonyi, Head of Customer Relations Unit at ISAT Africa Limited. She is in charge of strategic and operational activities focusing on establishing an ecosystem of business partners within the telecommunications space in Africa and Middle East.

A bilingual MBA with over 10 years’ experience in ISP Broadband business management in Sub Saharan Africa through distributor and own subsidiaries model.

Prior to ISAT Africa Limited, Mary worked for leading telcos in Africa namely iWayAfrica Limited, Callkey Services Limited and MTN Business Kenya (formerly UUNET Kenya) in different capacities: Business Development Manager (West and Central Africa), Service Delivery & Strategic Projects Manager and Customer Support Engineer.

Mary is a founder Board Member of Project Management Institute of Kenya and a former mentor at Akirachix and Safaricom Technovation Challenge where she provided guidance to young girls on how to excel within the tech space. She also sits on the supervisory committee of ISAVE SACCO.

Her vision is to lead and grow commercial enterprises across Africa and beyond through impactful and intentional leadership that will ensure the delivery of unmatched superior customer value and competitive advantages.

She is married to Oscar Wafula and together they are blessed with three beautiful children – Serena, Baraka and Taraji.

Mary recently graduated from a five Months Breakthrough Leadership Mastery Circle for Women who lead with Purpose, Intention and Impact.

This was facilitated by Dr Patricia Murugami who an award is winning Group/Global Leadership Advisor and C-Suite Transformational Coach.

Mary is looking at elevating fellow women to embrace impactful and intentional leadership. She is also looking at championing clubfoot campaigns in Kenya and helping avail information on the available treatment options.

What questions/ comments do you have for Mary Onguko-Wanyonyi?

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