Leadership

RHNK 2025: Youth Power, Gender Justice, and Unapologetic Leadership

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Mombasa, Kenya – The 2025 Reproductive Health Network Kenya (RHNK) Conference erupted with energy, uniting young advocates, policymakers, and experts under the bold theme: Adolescents and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (AYSRHR) in a World of Emerging Threats and Opportunities. The session attracted hundreds of participants from different organizations in Kenya and some East African countries. Speaking during the opening sessions UNFPA Kenya’s Pilar de la Corte Molina said, “There is an urgent need to prioritize adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health and rights in a world grappling with climate change, online dangers, and deep-rooted inequalities.” Accordingly, Rosebell Barbara from the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA) reiterated the need for unpacking the dangers involved in online engagements. Barbara said,” The time for young people’s views on sexual reproductive health to be taken into consideration has come.”“Young people make -up almost 70 percent of Kenya’s population and it is crucial that they are engaged in the decision-making processes on health,” added Barbara. On the second day of the conference Rosebell Barbara made a compelling presentation on Climate Change, Socio-Economic Stressors, and the Escalation of Femicide in Kenya. She underscored the interlinkages of climate, health, and technologically facilitated violence and femicide. The conference also featured insightful discussions that explored the transformative role technology had played in advancing Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (AYSRHR), along with the critical importance of youth-led advocacy and social accountability. What stood out is the unabated passion for countering anti-rights movements that have threatened hard-won gains in gender equality and health. Through these powerful dialogues, the conference reaffirmed the significance of centering youth voices in shaping health and rights agendas across Africa and beyond. The 8th Pan-African Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Scientific Conference was so timely in Kenya. It discussed about critical issues in Kenya and beyond that warrant attention from government decision-makers, It also reiterated the need for courageous leadership, ethical and safe use of technology, and placing young people at the center of decision-making processes. It focused on building systems that truly listened to and responded to the relieved realities of adolescents and youth.

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Redefining Positive Masculinity to Combat Gender-Based Violence

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Nairobi, Kenya — As Kenya confronts a disturbing surge in femicide, a coalition of activists, policymakers, and civil society organizations convened on April 22–23, 2025, in Nairobi for a two-day regional workshop focused on promoting positive masculinity and combating gender-based violence (GBV). The African Center for Health, Climate and Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA), in partnership with Plan International, UN Women, FEMNET, Equality Now, and She Leads Kenya, launched a powerful platform to ignite transformational change. This groundbreaking event empowered girls and young women to challenge gender-based violence (GBV) at its core and dismantle harmful gender norms from the ground up. The urgency of the gathering was underscored by recent statistics: over 100 women were killed in Kenya in the first three months of 2025 alone, with March recording the highest number of female homicide cases at 44, followed by January with 43 and February with 42. These figures reflect a broader trend, with at least 170 women killed in 2024, the highest annual toll on record. The participants at the workshop emphasized the concept of positive masculinity, which challenges traditional notions of male dominance and aggression. Instead, it promotes values such as empathy, respect, accountability, and care. By engaging men allies, the initiative seeks to dismantle the power structures that enable GBV. The workshop also addressed the importance of digital safety, policy advocacy, and transformative leadership in the fight against GBV. Discussions highlighted the need for comprehensive strategies that encompass homes, parliaments, schools, and online spaces. The event concluded with a call to action: to transform collective pain into power by building skills, forging alliances, and developing actionable strategies to dismantle toxic masculinity, promote gender justice, and advocate for the ratification of the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG). As Kenya continues to grapple with this national emergency, the workshop represents a critical step toward creating safer, more inclusive societies. Through fostering positive masculinity and empowering women and girls, advocates hope to stem the tide of femicide and build a future rooted in equality and respect.

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Emmanuel Lekishon Leteipa: A Legacy of Vision, Leadership, and Impact

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In the corridors of climate justice advocacy, regenerative agriculture, and community development, the name Emmanuel Lekishon Leteipa will forever resonate as a beacon of hope, resilience, and transformative leadership. His untimely departure has left a painful void, but his legacy remains a powerful testament to the change one individual can ignite. A Visionary Ahead of His Time Emmanuel was not just a leader, he was a force of nature undaunted, passionate, and deeply committed to the causes that defined his life. As a youthful climate justice advocate, he championed youth inclusion in climate change, gender justice, and equitable health policies, long before these became mainstream priorities. He understood that the voices of young people were not just important but necessary in shaping a sustainable future. His advocacy was never performative; it was rooted in action, engagement, and policy-driven solutions. A Leader Who Built Foundations for Change With a strong background in financial management and organizational leadership, Emmanuel was instrumental in steering key decisions on finance, budgeting, and fundraising. He had an unwavering commitment to ensuring financial integrity and sustainability, understanding that without strong financial structures, even the most noble visions could falter. As a co-founder of the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA) alongside Imali Ngusale, Emmanuel laid the groundwork for an institution that is set to outlive him and continue shaping policies, empowering communities, and advocating for justice. He was not only a leader but a mentor, guiding new staff and fostering a culture of excellence and dedication within ACHCGA. A Champion for Sustainable Livelihoods Emmanuel’s work was deeply committed to seeing communities thrive in a world that often marginalizes them. He believed that sustainability was not just an environmental concern but a socioeconomic imperative. Whether it was through advocating for climate-resilient agriculture, promoting equitable access to healthcare, or ensuring gender justice in policymaking, Emmanuel’s vision always centered around the people most affected by these challenges. More Than a Leader—A Friend, A Father, A Legacy Beyond his professional achievements, Emmanuel was a warm, compassionate, and deeply principled individual. He was a father, a friend, and a mentor to many. His kindness, wisdom, and unrelenting belief in the power of collective action will be sorely missed but never forgotten. In remembering Emmanuel, we are reminded that true leadership is not about titles but about impact. His work, his vision, and his unyielding commitment to justice will continue to inspire generations to come. Rest in power, Emmanuel. Your legacy lives on! If you would like to contribute to his send-off please send your support to * +254798944654.*Dominic Lekishon Nampaso.

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