2020
Akinyi Osanjo
- Age: 28
- | She/her/hers
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Expertise Areas:
In advocacy work, restoration of humanity and dignity should be the focal point to base all discussions. More emphasis should be put on grassroots interventions.
- Akinyi Osanjo
Bio
Akinyi Osanjo is a Gender Inclusivity activist based in Dakar, Senegal. As a 2022 Mandela Rhodes Foundation scholarship recipient, she pursued an MPhil in Human Rights Law. Her dissertation paid homage to the necessity of social protection and humanitarian assistance for sexual and gender expression refugee rights in Kenya. Currently, Akinyi is on assignment at the UNDP West and Central Africa (UNDP WACA) as a Communications and Reporting Intern. Her work involves creating visibility on UNDP WACA’s efforts to explore opportunities for media and donor field trips to project sites and showcasing the impact of their work in the region. During her time as a Young Leader, her passions have extended to; digital rights, peace, security and humanitarian assistance. In 2021, Akinyi co-created the International Youth Day newsletter for Women Deliver; A Digital Future that is Co-Created by Young People is Crucial to Accelerating Progress on Gender Equality and Intersectional Justice. Following, she co-facilitated AWID’s Crear | Résister | Transform: a festival for feminist movements session; Queering Feminist Imaginaries: A Workshop for Young Feminists. Akinyi seeks to engage in gender inclusivity and security in technology and development via policy and advocacy work.
What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?
Sexual and Gender expression and identity persons in Kenya have limited legal remedies in Kenya, I sought to address the culture of silence surrounding the human rights abuses and sustain visibility and awareness through academic and policy work.
Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.
Participating in AWID's Crear | Résister | Transform: a festival for feminist movements as a co-facilitator for the Queering Feminist Imaginaries: A Workshop for Young Feminists. I shared my work with young feminists on methods to start and sustain campaigns. The festival revitalized my need for community and networking for future growth.
Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?
Learning film photography, hiking, painting (when I can), learning French, occasional pottery and creating slow living content.
Languages Spoken:
- English (Advanced/Native)
- Kiswahili (Advanced/Native)
- French (Beginner)
- Kiswahili (Advanced/Native)
Publications:
Speaks On:
- Digital Rights as Human Rights
- Gender-responsive Humanitarianism and Education
- Women, Peace and Security
- Human Rights Law
Past Awards, Certifications, or Fellowships:
- Mandela Rhodes Scholarship (2022)
- Internet Society IGF Youth Ambassador Program (2021)
- YaLa Young Leaders Citizen Journalism Fellow (2016)
