When Neema Nyaundi first shared her story in 2023, she described herself as “a shy girl who used to sit at the back of the room, unsure if anyone wanted to hear what I had to say.” At the time, she was a young Trainer of Trainers in Kisii County, Kenya, juggling university, family, and volunteer work. Through the YW4A programme, she had begun learning how to lead discussions, organise dialogues, and speak with faith leaders about gender justice. “YW4A helped me find my voice,” she said then. “Now I use it to help others find theirs.”
Almost two years later, her story came full circle.
Neema has become one of the most active young women in the YW4A network in Kenya. She led community dialogues on early marriage and gender-based violence, wrote articles about women’s rights in local and national newspapers, and represented YW4A at national and regional forums. She participated in meetings with Equality Now, Faith to Action Network, and UNFPA, contributing her perspective on accountability and women’s leadership.
In 2024, Neema’s growth took a new direction. she joined Faith to Action Network for a six-month internship. It was not an easy step. Neema coordinated trainings, supported interfaith leaders, and managed workshops on gender and inclusion. It was her first time working in a formal office setting, but she approached it with the same determination she had shown in YW4A.
Her consistency and professionalism stood out, and when her internship ended, she was offered a full-time position.
This moment felt like the natural continuation of the journey she had described a couple of years earlier, the one that began in Kisii community halls and grew through late nights of planning and reflection. Neema often says that her success came not from grand moments but from small, steady steps:
“I learned that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and staying true to what you believe.”
While in Nairobi, Neema helped coordinate projects that unite faith leaders and young women to discuss gender justice and inclusion. She developed advocacy plans, facilitated training, and supported national and regional dialogues based on the principles she first practised in YW4A. The continuous mentorship and constant challenge to improve under the YW4A programme inspired Neema to put her best foot forward. Through YW4A, Neema also found her voice in leadership and governance spaces.
The YW4A programme also built her confidence to speak up and take on more leadership responsibilities. Through this, she was selected to serve as the Assistant Coordinator for Kisii County in one of Kenya’s prominent political parties. In this role, she aspires to continue championing women’s participation in leadership and advocating for inclusive governance at both the grassroots and county levels. She remains closely connected to the young women in Kisii, checking in regularly and encouraging them to keep learning and engaging. Many now see her as an example of what consistent effort can lead to.
“Some of us don’t realise how far we have come until we look back. YW4A gave me the tools, but hard work gave me the confidence to use them.”
