In 2024, we stood shoulder to shoulder with people defending life, land and justice. From those searching for truth and justice in Colombia to environmental campaigners in Kenya, our volunteers, staff and partners helped keep communities safe, raise alarms where it matters, and push for lasting change.

We are deeply concerned by the excessive and unlawful use of force by security forces during recent demonstrations. At least 27 people – including youth – have lost their lives, and hundreds have been injured. The use of lethal force not only violates international law but also undermines the fundamental rights to peaceful assembly and protest.

In the vibrant yet traditional community of Kilifi, Ruweida Muhammad, Executive Director of Desire Youth Initiative, is spearheading a quiet but powerful revolution. Growing up in an area where harmful practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) were not just accepted but celebrated, Ruweida’s journey from a silent observer to a vocal advocate has been marked by both resistance and resilience.

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In the heart of Kenya’s coastal splendor lies Uyombo, a gem of Kilifi County, where the Indian Ocean’s turquoise waves meet

“One’s leadership should not be focused only on one part, but I believe that as leaders of women, we have to put ourselves in a framework that is to do good.”

From the Classroom to the Frontlines

In the Eastern side of the Indonesian Maluku Islands, a sch

“No one pays you to be a leader, you do it for vocation.