SIVO Foundation

Speak || Engage || Protect
Scars In my Voice is a community based initiative that aim to achieve a long sustainable custom of young women speaking up.

[Awel @Uwihanganye_A]

Conversations worth having at rhe 5th Annual Leaders Gathering with the @LeoAfricaInst community #ALG2024 moving Africa forward ✊🏽 Appreciating partners @KasUganda & the @SegalFoundation for the solidarity 👏🏽

[CRAWN TRUST @crawntrustkenya]

At the Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel in Westlands, Leymah Gbowee is meeting with representatives from CRAWN Trust, UN Women, and several grassroots organizations to discuss ways to empower women in conflict zones. The room is filled with a shared sense of purpose as they collaborate on strategies to amplify women’s voices in peacebuilding and leadership. Drawing from her own experiences in Liberia’s peace process, Gbowee is emphasizing the importance of local communities and the need for strong global support. The conversations are ongoing, creating a powerful network of women working together to inspire change and foster hope Globally.
@CREAWKenya @mercyjelimo @WanjikuMungai15 @UN_Women

[CRAWN TRUST @crawntrustkenya]

Conversations with Nobel Laureate Ms. Leymah Gbowee: A Remarkable Advocate for Women’s Rights and Peace

CRAWN Trust recently had the immense honour of hosting a transformative conversation with the humble and remarkable Leymah Gbowee, a Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist renowned for her pivotal role in the Liberian women’s peace movement, author of the book "Mighty Be Our Powers," a memoir detailing her experiences and the peace movement in her native Liberia and founder of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa.
This inspiring gathering took place at the Villa Rosa Kempinski in Nairobi, with the support of UN Women, and brought together various women's rights organisations, including young women in Kenya’s women’s movement to engage in meaningful dialogue. Attendees were privileged to watch Leymah's acclaimed documentary, Pray the Devil Back to Hell, which chronicles her courageous journey of nonviolent activism during Liberia’s devastating civil war.
The film not only highlights her remarkable leadership but also serves as a powerful reminder of the strength that women working together, united for a cause possess in advocating for peace, justice and transformation.

Key Insights from Leymah Gbowee
Leymah's insights during the meeting resonated deeply with the challenges faced by women and the women’s movement in Kenya today, particularly as the country confronts femicide, political instability, poor governance and calls for reform. Here are some of the key takeaways from her talk:

The State Will Not Protect You: Leymah emphasised that when governments fail to act, it is the responsibility of the people, especially those most affected, to step in. Her experience in Liberia illustrates how grassroots movements can challenge the status quo and demand change when those in power are unwilling to do so.

Unity is Essential: She urged the women to find common ground, stating, “we must all agree on the one collective thing we seek to have.” Leymah highlighted that meaningful change begins with unity around shared goals, making collective action more powerful.

Collaboration Over Silos: Leymah stressed the importance of collaboration among women’s rights activists, civil society, the private sector, and the government. She encouraged breaking down divisions that fragment efforts and instead working together towards shared objectives.

Intergenerational Collaboration: One of her most compelling points was the need for dialogue and working together between generations. Leymah called on the older women to mentor and support younger women activists, and for the younger women activists to acknowledge that they stand on the shoulders of those that have gone before them who still have much to offer in being useful in fostering a movement that respects and learns from each other’s experiences.

Lift Each Other Up: In a world often marked by division, Leymah reminded us of the importance of constructive criticism over tearing each other down. “Lift each other up,” she urged, emphasising the power of solidarity.

The Personal is Political: Leymah poignantly noted that personal struggles are often linked to broader political issues. Recognising this connection allows for a deeper understanding of injustice and the need for systemic change.

Leymah's message about investing in peace was particularly impactful. She reiterated that “investing in peace is investing in people.” She reminded us that true peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the creation of a society where everyone, especially the most marginalised, can thrive and live in dignity.

Conclusion
Hosting Leymah Gbowee was a great honour for CRAWN Trust; it was a powerful reminder of the incredible impact that one individual can have on the world. Her genuine love for people especially the youth, her humility, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to women's rights was inspiring and left us all with a renewed urgency to strive for a for a better, just and peaceful Kenya.

We were grateful for the opportunity Ms Leymah accorded us to engage with her and look forward to continuing the conversation on how we can collectively work towards meaningful change.

Thank you Nuria Abdi for making this possible, and @MarthaKarua for gracing us with your presence.

[LéO Africa Institute @LeoAfricaInst]

Welcome to day two (physical convening)of the #ALG2024!

Our network, partners, and guests will convene at Sheraton hotel to discuss how to harness Africa's growth drivers and interrogate the critical role played by leadership, institutions, and human capital.

@KasUganda

[LéO Africa Institute @LeoAfricaInst]

Meet our distinguished panelist of Day II of #ALG2024.

These panels will put the ALG 2023 theme into context - discussing the legacy of public institutions, ethical leadership, development opportunities, and how to shape the leadership we want.

@KasUganda
@SegalFoundation

[LéO Africa Institute @LeoAfricaInst]

"For me, the Africa I want is where we speak skills as a language. When I go to DRC, they may not understand my language but we can share skills. We can interact through sharing skills." @JudyLumumba

#ALG2024

[LéO Africa Institute @LeoAfricaInst]

"Institutions are important because when it comes to governance, you can’t do it on your own. When institutions are working well, you don’t need strong leaders." @DrJamesMagara, Closing Keynoter.

#ALG2024

[LéO Africa Institute @LeoAfricaInst]

We thank our network, partners, and guests for contributing to the success of #ALG2024.

We had 6 Sessions, 3 Keynote speakers, 29 panelists/speakers, hundreds of attendees, and representation from 12 countries.

@KasUganda
@SegalFoundation
@DviUganda

[LéO Africa Institute @LeoAfricaInst]

Naïssa Umutoni Karekezi, a Business Development Supervisor and #YELP2024 fellow from Rwanda shared thoughts from her work experience on how to enhance opportunities for young people with a focus on human-centric development.

#ALG2024

[LéO Africa Institute @LeoAfricaInst]

Thank you, Priscilla Busulwa - Lawyer and Legal Consultant at Impact Investments, and YELP Fellow Class of 2024 for moderating the conversation on Opportunities for Development with a Focus on Human Capital Investment.

#ALG2024

[LéO Africa Institute @LeoAfricaInst]

We appreciate Karen Nankwanga, an Energy and Sustainability Practitioner, and YELP2022 Fellow, for moderating Session IV of the Annual Leaders Gathering 2024.

#ALG2024

[LéO Africa Institute @LeoAfricaInst]

It has been a wonderful experience engaging with our network, partners, and guests at this year's Annual Leaders Gathering, discoursing on Africa's Growth Drivers. Thank you to everybody who made this event a success.

#ALG2024
@KasUganda
@SegalFoundation

[LéO Africa Institute @LeoAfricaInst]

As we come closer to #ALG2024, you can still visit our website for details on the full agenda and program highlights, themes, and speakers here: https://t.co/dj72mDutK7

You can also download the full program here: https://t.co/pGcJOFw7MO

[The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) @NGECKenya]

We engaged deeply, pinpointing key areas for growth and improvement. A big thank you to all the engaged and insightful young leaders who made this meeting a success. Your voices and ideas drive progress!
@MutindaDr @drmkarungaru @TKoyier
#YouthEmpowerment #DigitalInnovation

[RLC East Africa @rlceastafrica]

Excited to share that our @YALIRLCEA alumni refugee chapter will be on the radio today! They'll discuss their progress in Kakuma & Kalobeyei camps and how digitalization is driving the #SDGs. Don't miss this inspiring chat!
#YALIRLCEA #RefugeeLeadership #MyDAYInYALIRLCEA

[UNESCO Youth Forum Kenya @UnescoYouthKe]

#HappeningNow

@UnescoEast in partneship with @UNICAForg, @goetheinstitut and @pen_int is conducting creative writing and research skills workshop to the youths in Nairobi.

The 2 days workshop which end today, have taught youths how to write poems, essays, novels and many more.

[Mary Gichuki @_WanjiruGichuki]

Despite improved public governance, African youth's needs and expectations remain unmet. 

With rapid demographic growth, key areas are lagging behind rising demands. Africa's youth (under 25) makeup over 60% of our population and will increase by 20% in the next decade.

[Siasa Place @siasaplace]

Interesting to find out many people in the room do not know about GEF. Generation Equality Forum. @_Nalafem #NFS2023 #IamNala

[Nalafem @_Nalafem]

Nalafem co-hosts the African Regional Consultation with @NetworkAthena on #SHRH rights and to assess the existing data on #GEF commitments.
@GlobalFundWomen
#NFS2023
#iamnala

[Vanessa Buyayi @VanessaBuyayi]

Listening and Interacting with Iconic women from all over Africa has made me realize there is a lot I need to do because of the crown I hold. @ActionAid_Kenya
@unwomenkenya
@shee_sitati
#IamNala
#NFS2023