Malkia John
Founder & Executive Director,Sauti Salama
23 | She / Her / HersRegion: East Africa
Country of Residence: Kenya
Expertise Areas:
Adolescent Girls' Rights
Climate Justice
Gender-based Violence
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
Bio
Malkia is an advocate for gender justice, human rights, and climate action, with a particular focus on the intersection of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and mental health. As the founder of Sauti Salama, a digital platform dedicated to providing survivors of SGBV with safe and anonymous channels to report incidents and access critical services, Malkia’s work is deeply rooted in her commitment to ensuring that survivors are heard, supported, and empowered. In addition to her work with Sauti Salama, Malkia is the Product Lead at Glow and Grow, where she oversees the transformation of traditional hurricane lamps into solar lanterns. This initiative not only promotes renewable energy but also supports women in rural areas by providing them with sustainable and safe lighting solutions. Her work with Glow and Grow exemplifies her dedication to merging environmental sustainability with gender empowerment. Malkia also serves as a member of the Joint Youth Working Group on SRHR and Climate at UNFPA, where she champions the integration of gender-sensitive approaches into climate and health policies, recognizing the unique challenges that women and girls face in these areas. Her involvement in the Nawiri Project under the Population Council has further deepened her understanding of the complexities surrounding SGBV and the importance of community-based approaches to addressing these issues. Malkia sees the advocacy of young people as essential to securing a better future for all and applied for the Emerging Leaders Program to amplify her impact, gain new skills, and build connections with other young advocates who share her vision of a just and equitable world. She envisions a future where the voices of young people are at the forefront of global decision-making, driving progress and ensuring that no one is left behind.
Malkia is an advocate for gender justice, human rights, and climate action, with a particular focus on the intersection of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and mental health. As the founder of Sauti Salama, a digital platform dedicated to providing survivors of SGBV with safe and anonymous channels to report incidents and access critical services, Malkia’s work is deeply rooted in her commitment to ensuring that survivors are heard, supported, and empowered. In addition to her work with Sauti Salama, Malkia is the Product Lead at Glow and Grow, where she oversees the transformation of traditional hurricane lamps into solar lanterns. This initiative not only promotes renewable energy but also supports women in rural areas by providing them with sustainable and safe lighting solutions. Her work with Glow and Grow exemplifies her dedication to merging environmental sustainability with gender empowerment. Malkia also serves as a member of the Joint Youth Working Group on SRHR and Climate at UNFPA, where she champions the integration of gender-sensitive approaches into climate and health policies, recognizing the unique challenges that women and girls face in these areas. Her involvement in the Nawiri Project under the Population Council has further deepened her understanding of the complexities surrounding SGBV and the importance of community-based approaches to addressing these issues. Malkia sees the advocacy of young people as essential to securing a better future for all and applied for the Emerging Leaders Program to amplify her impact, gain new skills, and build connections with other young advocates who share her vision of a just and equitable world. She envisions a future where the voices of young people are at the forefront of global decision-making, driving progress and ensuring that no one is left behind.