Meet the Participants!

ALICE D. KANENGONI

is a feminist development practitioner with over 20 years of experience advocating for social justice, gender justice and women’s rights on the African continent. She has served regional organisations in roles providing strategic leadership, programme design and management, grant-making, advocacy and communications, accountability and learning.
Alice has successfully led the design and implementation of several power-shifting strategies and interventions towards women’s economic justice, including strategies to support self-organising movements of domestic workers, women informal and cross-border traders, rural women farmers and young women – among other marginalised groups in Africa.
Her research and knowledge-generation work have contributed towards shaping Afrocentric discourses on feminist macroeconomics, inclusive health and education among others. She is passionate about feminist and liberatory knowledge management praxis and has contributed to the body of knowledge challenging inequalities and poverty on the African continent.

AWINO OKECH

is a Professor of Feminist and Security Studies in the Department of Politics and International Studies at SOAS University of London. Professor Okech also serves as the founding Director of the Feminist Centre for Racial Justice that focuses on the majority world as geographies from which to build feminist imaginaries of “race”. Prior to joining SOAS, Awino worked for over a decade in the development sector across various sub-regions in Africa, supporting women rights organisations and local movements working at the intersection of gender and conflict. This work remains central to her research, teaching and public-facing work.

BISI ADELEYE-FAYEMI

is a Gender and Development Practitioner, Feminist Activist, Policy Advocate, Leadership Coach, Philanthropist, Image Management Specialist and Writer. She has a BA and MA in History from the University of Ife, Nigeria (now Obafemi Awolowo University). She also received an MA in Gender and Society from Middlesex University.
Her books include Speaking for Myself; A Tray of Locust Beans; Where is Your Wrapper; and Demand and Supply. Bisi is an inspiring leader who has mentored many young women and co-founded important African organisations such as the African Women’s Development Fund as well as the Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement.

BRIAN KAGORO

is the Managing Director of Programs at the Open Society Foundations, where he oversees a global portfolio focused on strengthening democratic governance, advancing human rights, and promoting social and economic justice. A Zimbabwean constitutional lawyer and public policy expert, he brings more than two decades of experience in engaging with governments, civil society, and multilateral institutions on issues ranging from political reform and public accountability to inclusive development.

Before joining Open Society, Kagoro served as the Pan-African Head of Policy and Advocacy at ActionAid International and as Regional Programme Advisor for the UNDP Africa Governance and Public Administration Programme. He also founded UHAI Africa Group, a governance and development consultancy. He holds degrees from the University of Zimbabwe and the University of Warwick and is a Yale World Fellow. Kagoro is widely recognised for his contributions to constitutional reform processes and for championing policies that address inequality and promote participatory governance.

Cäcilia Riederer

is the Project Manager of Better Politics Foundation. She is dedicated to strengthening democratic spaces and political leadership through collaboration, training, and inclusive leadership. From her previous experiences, she brings expertise in project management, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement in the civil society space and in political campaigns. Her thematic expertise includes (online) violence against politicians, social and political norms, disability rights and gender equality.

CRYSTAL ASIGE, MP

is a University of the West of England graduate and Harvard Law School fellow. Crystal was nominated to Kenya’s 4th Senate in the 13th Parliament to represent persons with disabilities, women, and youth – the first and only Senator to span all three special interest groups. Senator Asige was named a Time100 Next honoree in 2024, Business Daily’s ‘Top 40 Under 40’ in 2023/2025 and voted Kenya’s Top Performing Senator for two consecutive years.

With the recently enacted Persons with Disabilities Act 2025 and five other Bills to her name, she advocates for legislative changes that address entrenched structural and societal biases that she, like too many persons with disabilities, suffer firsthand through their lived experiences.

She is the founder of the Crystal Asige Foundation and consults locally and internationally, addressing various audiences including the UN, World Bank, Swiss Economic Forum, One Young World, and various parliaments worldwide.

ELLEN OLOUNFE PRATT

is the Executive Director of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development, in Monrovia, Liberia. Ellen has over 25 years of distinguished experience in public service, governance, and urban development. A certified urban planner and respected executive, she has held several high-level positions in government, including Deputy Minister for Urban Affairs, Commissioner for Land Use and Management, and Deputy Minister for Industry/Inspector General. Most recently, she led the Department of Urban Affairs at Liberia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, where she championed inclusive planning policies, supported municipal capacity-building, and guided the development of Liberia’s inaugural National Urban Policy.

Ellen is the founding principal of one of Liberia’s few female-owned urban development firms and has led major urban and infrastructure initiatives with support from UN-Habitat, Cities Alliance, and other international partners. She previously managed a $40 million municipal operations portfolio with the City of Atlanta.

Ms. Pratt holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture from North Carolina State University and a Master of City and Regional Planning from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

GLORIA SENGA

is a Congolese lawyer and human rights activist dedicated to grassroots mobilisation and the defence of civic freedoms. She is the founder and National Coordinator of the citizens’ movement Dynamique TOLEMBI PASI, which unites Congolese people to resist authoritarianism, corruption, and systemic injustice. Due to her vociferous campaigning centred on social justice, accountability, and dignity, Gloria, has been arrested several times, making her one of the emblematic young voices of resistance in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite repression, she continues to strengthen citizen power through education, advocacy, and direct community organising.

A participant in the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), Gloria is respected for her courage and persistence in defending human rights and challenging social injustice in Africa.

is an alumna of Makerere University, the London School of Economics and Political Science, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, University of San Diego, and a Fulbright Fellow 2002. She is a social development, governance and gender equality specialist and advisor, with four decades of work experience in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. A women’s rights advocate, Judy has worked with women’s networks, civil society organisations, bilateral and multilateral partners on advancing women’s and children’s rights, gender equality, women’s political leadership, democratic governance, peaceful co-existence, and social development.

She supported the work of UN Women, UNDP, UNICEF and UNFPA on gender equality programming in education, humanitarian action, post-conflict recovery and reconstruction and protection. Her published works include Women Winning Elections: A Guide for Women Candidates, and Women Managing the Political Transition in Uganda.

Judy was an Eminent Women in the Women’s Situation Room Uganda 2020/2021 that promotes peace before, during and after elections and builds women’s leadership. She served on several civil society governance boards including Uganda Women’s Network and is currently serving as a Trustee of the Nnabagereka Development Foundation, Chairperson of the Promoters Council TPO Uganda, and a member of the board of AfriChild, a child-focused research institution.

JÚLIA WACHAVE

is a feminist Specialist in Gender, Humanitarian Action, and Development, with extensive experience in Programme Management and Policy Advisory. She supports initiatives on women’s rights, feminist leadership, and social transformation. In March 2023, she was appointed National Gender Advisor – GenCap at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

With over 21 years of experience in gender and human rights, Julia has worked across strategy, operations, and partnerships. Before her current role, she served as Executive Director of PROMURA (an organisation for the protection of women and girls in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique; acted as Gender Specialist in the Northern Crisis Recovery Project (NCRP); and coordinated women’s resilience and leadership programmes in response to GBV in the Cabo Delgado emergency. Her expertise includes human rights, anti-discrimination efforts, and addressing violence through gender-sensitive approaches.

Throughout her career, Julia has held various leadership positions in child protection projects, community sponsorship, and the creation of sustainable and inclusive economic opportunities. She has consistently promoted public participation in development processes and the defence of marginalised groups’ human rights.

LIESEL BAKKER

is a queer feminist activist and strategist based in South Africa. She serves as Director of Resourcing Resistance at Purposeful, leading feminist grant-making across Africa and beyond. Her work is grounded in the belief that resourcing is a political act, that how we move money can either reproduce harm or help build new worlds. Over the past decade, she has worked across the human rights and gender justice ecosystem, from grassroots collectives to major philanthropic funds.

MADELEINE HAOUA

is a professor at the University of Ngaoundere in Cameroon. She teaches in the Department of Agriculture and is the Head of the Department of Environmental Engineering and Quality Control at the School of Chemical Engineering and Mineral Industry.

The fight for peace and security is a great interest. Madeleine campaigns for the empowerment of young girls and is very active in protecting the environment, biodiversity and ecosystems. She devotes much of her time to the cause of street children and unemployed teenage mothers who are exposed to insecurity and gender-based violence.

MMAPASEKA ‘STEVE’ LETSIKE

is the Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities in the South African Cabinet. A well-known human rights advocate, Steve founded the non-profit Access Chapter 2 (AC2), with the aim of promoting the human rights of women, girls and LGBTI+ people, enhancing the ability of local, national and regional civil society organisations to engage on issues of governance, policy and accountability and strengthening and building solidarity within civil society and other sectors through innovation and collaboration.

Alongside the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Steve served as the co-chairperson of the South African National Aids Council. In addition, she co-chaired the National Task Team established by the Department of Justice to address Hate Crimes and GBV, as well as the Commonwealth Equality Network. She served on several boards, including the Global UN Women LGBTI reference group, the Southern Africa UN Women Civil Society Advisory Group and the Women4 Global Fund Network.

NATASHA KIMANI

is the Regional Director: East Africa for Futurelect. A lawyer by profession, Natasha has over 15 years of experience in public policy, constitution implementation, devolution, and governance in East Africa. Natasha has drafted gender-responsive legislation and policies in Kenya, including the gender policy and regulations for the National Police Service and the Kenya Defence Forces, and led the development of gender-responsive budgeting guidelines for County governments.

She holds a Master’s degree in Public Economics, Law, and Politics and a Bachelor’s in Law (LLB). Before joining Futurelect, she was the Head of Partnerships and Research at Africa No Filter, where she spearheaded partnerships with the African Union, Mastercard Foundation, GIZ, and other organisations. She has also been an Academy Fellow at Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, where she focused on gender-responsive devolution in Kenya.

She has held senior positions at the Kenya Law Reform Commission and the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution and worked closely with the National Treasury of Kenya and various County Governments. Whether in legal, policy, or programme management-centred roles, Natasha is passionate about gender-responsive approaches to politics, governance and development that reflect the lived realities of those directly impacted by it.

REBECCA “BEKHIE” MULUNGI

is a feminist resource mobilisation professional, currently serving as the Resource Mobilisation Coordinator at Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA). At AMwA, she leads the strategy to secure and align resources with the organisation’s Pan-African feminist leadership development and collective power to dismantle intersectional systems of oppression, especially affecting women, girls and structurally excluded people.

With over a decade of experience, Bekhie has managed multimillion-dollar funding portfolios for organisations advancing health, education, and gender justice across East and Southern Africa, like Educate!, Amref Health Africa, Healthy Learners, Copper Rose Zambia and Alive Medical Services. Her work, however, is most deeply grounded in community-led feminist organising. She is the co-founder of Women for Women Uganda, a community initiative advancing HIV and SRHR access for women in island communities in Kalangala, Uganda, and serves as the Advisory Board Chair for Anchoring Communities Uganda, supporting its growth as a feminist health and livelihoods actor.

Bekhie’s work is rooted in the conviction that resourcing is a political act, inseparable from the quest for feminist political power and decolonial futures. She is passionate about interrogating and dismantling the neocolonial dynamics of traditional aid and challenging the structural barriers that keep grassroots feminist movements under-resourced. She brings to this convening her experience in building African-led funding models and a commitment to collectively imagining a more just, accountable, and self-determined resourcing ecosystem.

SAMIA EL HASHMI

is a prominent lawyer and international advocate for women’s rights, with extensive work across Sudan and the MENA region. Since 1990, she has been the co-founder and President of Mutawinat, an organisation that provides legal aid and support to women and vulnerable segments of society – including refugees, internally displaced persons, and host communities – throughout the country. The organisation actively defends women’s legal rights and facilitates access to justice in Sudan.

Mutawinat is also actively engaged in peacebuilding, with Ms. El Hashmi contributing to these efforts for over three decades. She notably participated in the “Peace Tent” at the 1995 Beijing Women’s Conference, a platform that marked the beginning of women’s involvement in peace processes. She is a founding member of Sudanese Women Empowerment for Peace (SuWEP) and the taskforce on women’s participation in peacebuilding, through which she and others obtained observer status with the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP).

As an expert in women’s human rights and constitutional law, Ms. El Hashimi plays a pivotal role in peace and security initiatives, particularly in the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and in advancing women’s political participation. In 2024, she was awarded the prestigious Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law.

SITABILE DEWA

is a Pan-African feminist and gender equality expert from Zimbabwe and the Executive Director of the Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE Africa), a regional women’s rights organisation that promotes women’s, young women’s and women with disabilities’ political power and participation in leadership and decision-making positions. She is also the convener of the Pan African Women Political Leaders Movement (PAWLEM), a continental network that grooms, nurtures and capacitates aspiring women leaders in Africa for public office at both local and national level.

Sitabile holds a Master’s Degree in Human Rights, Peace and Development (Africa University); a Master’s Degree in International Relations (University of Zimbabwe); a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology (University of Zimbabwe) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Democracy, Governance and Public Policy (ISS, Netherlands). She also holds certification in Transitional Justice from Ulster University; Gender Mainstreaming from Gender Links, Negotiation and Mediation from the Centre for Security Studies (ETH Zurich) in collaboration with Africa University.

TABITHA OLUOCH

is a Youth Participation Champion at Siasa Place, a youth-led organisation committed to promoting civic engagement, accountability and inclusive governance in Kenya. Her work focuses on amplifying the voices of young people and women, ensuring they are meaningfully represented in decision-making spaces.
She leads initiatives that empower youth and women to engage with governance processes through advocacy, community dialogues and digital campaigns. She works to bridge the gap between citizens and leaders, highlighting everyday governance issues and driving conversations on accountability and representation.

Deeply passionate about the intersection of youth, gender and governance, Tabitha believes that the inclusion of young women in leadership is essential to achieving sustainable political and social transformation. Her advocacy seeks to strengthen democratic participation and foster a culture where both young people and women can lead change in their communities and beyond.