How a difficult childhood pushed Rachael Mwikali into activism

When you watch Rachael Mwikali do her activism, you can think of her as an antagonistic feminist and a rebel without a cause. This is not the case.

Nearby, the globally recognized champion of women’s sexual and reproductive health rights is a warm and compassionate personality whose work is fueled by empathy.

Born and raised in the slums of Mathare, Mwikali faced discrimination and abuse.

She told the Star in an interview on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights in Banjul, Gambia, that at the age of 13, a 10-year-old her eldest had sexually assaulted her.

“The saddest thing is that the community didn’t protect me. In fact, they blamed me for having sex from a very young age,” she said.

But in an effort to turn lemons into lemonade, she used this experience to advocate for women’s rights.

“I learned to speak for myself and for those who may not have the courage. » Her reward, she says, is when the marginalized get justice. At the heart of her campaign is the transformation of women’s perceived vulnerabilities and weaknesses into strengths.

“Data shows it will take more than 100 years to achieve gender equality. This is a fight we must engage in creatively and deliberately, regardless of the setbacks,” Mwikali said.

Through her organization Coalition for Grassroots Human Rights Defenders, she also advocates for intersectionality.

When El Nino ravaged the slums of Mathare this year, Mwikali launched a community kitchen capable of preparing up to 500 hot meals a day.

“The kitchen is still operating, thanks to the kind support of well-wishers who believe in supporting vulnerable people,” she said.

“When I receive a project, I make sure those I work with are from my local community, as I know the poverty and hardship in Mathare. »

She is also part of #EndFemicideKE. Her restlessness saw her counting her losses and holding on to a few victories.

In 2016, aged 24, Mwikali was appointed as a change lobbyist by a Swedish non-governmental organization known as We Effect.

The award is given to a lobbyist or activist working for the rights of people living in poverty.

The jury that selected her for this prestigious award included the then Prime Minister of Sweden, Ingvar Carlsson. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Amnesty International, the Youth Think Tank of the Royal Danish Embassy, ​​and the Youth Advisory Council of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. She is also chair of the Human Rights Defenders Awards in Kenya, which recognizes activists on the front lines of human rights protection.

The awards are presented annually by the Defenders Coalition.

Asked what motivates her and what she considers a victory, Mwikali says she dreams of having many more passionate women standing up for their rights and advocating for an equal society.