The PAWAPOD

On our last episode of the 16 days of activism series we get to host a Pawaful Heroine, Njeri Migwi.  She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Usikimye, a platforms established to offer refuge for victims and survivors of sexual and gender based violence.  With others, Njeri has put together safe houses that ensure that SGBV victims have a haven against the violations directed at them.

Who is Rachael Mwikali? She is a Pan African Feminist, Community Organiser, Gender Justice activist and a Woman Human Right Defender. Born and raised in Mathare slums in Nairobi, Mwikali is a grassroots women rights activist and feminist activist. Mwikali is motivated by the personal struggles she has undergone as a young woman growing up in an informal settlement. Let's get to know more about her work as she  defends women rights.

A human rights defender is a champion of rights. It is you through your daily acts of service, standing for the respect of guaranteed provisions in the constitution and other laws. Ruth Ogolla was inspired to become one in Kayole and started Her journey by joining the Kayole Social Justice Centre, the rest is History.

Tune in and find out more.

Maryann Wanjiru is a Woman Right Defender from one of the largest informal settlements in Kenya, Mathare. Get to know how the HRDs work and their contribution towards fighting violence against women and girls. 

In Kenya high levels of violence against women and girls is an ongoing problem that further increased especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. While official data records may be incomplete, there is a clear trend of increased violence against women and girls.

According to data from the national gender-based violence hotline 1195 run by Healthcare Assistance Kenya—an NGO that works with survivors of GBV in Kenya—in partnership with the Ministry of Public Service and Gender, there was a staggering 301 percent increase in calls reporting violence against women and girls in the first two weeks of the lockdown between March and April 2020.

PAWA INITIATIVE as an organization is interested in the advancement and safeguarding of Human Rights including Women in Kenya primarily because respect for human rights lays the foundation for good governance-what PAWA seek to achieve for Kenya and the region. To further this noble aim, PAWA partners primarily with artistes and other partners to advocate for the advancement of human rights while at the same time mobilizing support to push back repressive laws and hold the Government to account for violations of treaties, laws and statutes relating to Human Rights in Kenya.

Listen to Marion Ngayi who Hosts Wambui Okello on our first episode of The PAWAPOD, 16 Days of Activism series.

This year's theme focuses on advocating against Gender-Based Violence against women and girls.

On our last episode of Mjue Kiongozi Wako, we get to know Robin Karani, Zimmerman MCA aspirant. He is interestingly a lawyer, has a wide understanding of policies and is more than ready to offer authentic representation, legislation and oversight to Zimmerman residents.

 Listen in to understand Robin's perspectives on good governance and how his manifesto will meet the needs of Zimmerman ward members. 

Thank you for being part of this series. Listen in on PAWAPOD for more of our previous discussions with other young aspiring leaders. 

Loise Wambui has been residing in Viwandani Ward for a while. She has seen and experienced all that comes with life from  this ward, which in her opinion could be better. 

This is where she finds her drive to be the change, to offer better representation to her fellow ward members through transformative governance/leadership.

She is quite determined to improve the livelihoods and situations of Viwandani Ward.Spare your few minutes  and  listen Loise on this episode. 

John Musila, a young man vying for Lindi Ward MCA seat in Kibera is one of the several guest we have featured on our series (Mjue Kiongozi Wako) that aims to give young aspirants a platform to voice out how they plan to promote good governance and hence improve the quality of life of their respected ward members if voted into office. Musila has an in-depth understanding of how to go about it, given his wide understanding on policy formulation and implementation. Listen in to understand his vision for Lindi community members!

Let's get to know what Antony Kimani has in store for Kiamaiko citizen if voted into office and how he plans to be held accountable by them on this second part of Episode 7. He also opens up on the challenges he has faced and how he has manoeuvred around the same. Do enjoy the episode.

Anthony Kimani is determined to represent Kiamaiko Ward, having been a community leader and mobilizer. He believes he is young at heart and is ready to serve Kiamaiko people with a difference having been a people's watchdog for his community. Let's get to know more about Antony and how he plans to bring Chapter 6 of the constitution to life.  Enjoy listening to this first part of episode 7.