Nhial Deng

What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?

During my first few years in Kakuma, a refugee camp in Kenya, I was appalled by how cultural norms and health play a major role in girls' access to education, leadership, and other opportunities. I realized that cultural norms, health, and security makes going to a classroom extremely difficult for young girls and women in protracted contexts. These findings stirred up a burning desire in me to advocate for young girls' and women's access to educational opportunities. I step up to be the change I want to see in my community.

Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.

Initiating a mentorship program for young adolescent girls in Kakuma at the Refugee Youth Peace Ambassadors, mobilizing girls in the camp to apply for Amala Education's Courses, helping more girls to actively engage in the URISE Initiative for Africa's Alumni Association, supporting the development of safe spaces for young girls and women across schools in the camp, and currently, providing consultancy services at Project Kakuma, which aims to provide quality education to young girls and boys in Kakuma Refugee Camp.

Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?

Meditating, jogging, listening to gospel music, reading, and writing.