GORDON OSEN on 24 October 2024 in the Star of Kenya published a warm portrait of Rachael Mwikali who, born and bred in Mathare slums, has come face to face with discrimination and abuse.
When you watch Rachael Mwikali do her activism, you may dismiss her as an antagonistic feminist and a rebel without a cause. Not so. At proximity, the globally recognised champion of sexual and reproductive health rights and women is a warm and compassionate personality whose work is fired up by empathy.
She told the Star during an interview on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights in Banjul, The Gambia, that at the age of 13, a man 10 years older than her sexually abused her. “The saddest part is the community did not protect me. In fact, they blamed me for engaging in sex at a young age,” she said.
“I learnt to speak up for myself and others who may not have the courage.” Her reward, she says, is when the marginalised get justice. At the heart of her campaign is turning women’s perceived vulnerability and weaknesses into strengths.
Through her organisation Coalition for Grassroots Human Rights Defenders, she champions for intersectionality as well. When El Nino ravaged Mathare slums this year, Mwikali started a community kitchen that would make up to 500 hot meals per day.
She is also part of the #EndFemicideKE. Her agitation has seen her count her losses and keep some wins. In 2016, aged 24, Mwikali was named the Lobbyist for Change by a Swedish non-governmental organisation known as We Effect. She also sits on the Amnesty International board, the Royal Denish Embassy Youth Sounding board and the Youth Advisory board of the Kingdom of Netherlands. She is also the chairperson of the Human Rights Defenders Awards in Kenya which recognises activists at the frontline of human rights protection. The awards are given annually by the Defenders Coalition.
[https://trueheroesfilms.org/thedigest/awards/8D7E476D-A61A-4912-8CFE-97707A3C1A73]
Asked about what motivates her and what she considers a win, Mwikali says she dreams of having many more passionate women standing up for their rights, and championing for an equal society
This post was originally published on Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards.