Kenya
Nominated Feb 8, 2010
In the world today, young people make up over 50% of the 5 million people infected with HIV each year. According to the new statistics, Kenya’s HIV prevalence was 6.7% in the year 2009. Young women between 15 and 19 years are three times more likely to be infected than their male counterparts, while 20–24 year-old women are 5.5 times more likely to be living with HIV than men in their age cohort (National AIDS/STI Control Programme, 2009).
Because of the number of young women infected with HIV/AIDS increasing every day, with the Young Visionaries contest grant I will implement a project known as I WEAVING MY LIFE targeting 10 young women ages 15-24 years living with HIV/AIDS and affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The aim will be to reduce stigma and discrimination and increase accessibility of HIV/AIDS Care and treatment among young girls/women living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
The project location will be 2 slum areas of Dandora and Mukura in Nairobi, Kenya, where the rate of infection among girls and young women is very high due to poverty, ignorance, illiteracy, gender based violence, drug abuse, and increased involvement in risky sexual behaviors. The project will empower the young girls/women by training them on sexuality rights and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, and home-based care.
In collaboration with other community youth and women with HIV-led organizations, the project will also create awareness on HIV/AIDS in the community through organizing community and school based outreach activities hence reducing infections rate among young girls/women and also reducing stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS.
The project will also create a safe space for group support network and increase accessibility to HIV/AIDS care and treatment. Through referral to other organizations that offer HIV/AIDS services, the young women will be encouraged and supported to regularly seek HIV/AIDS care and treatment.
What actions are you taking to promote and protect the health and rights of women and young people worldwide?
I’m the founder and Program Director of Fortress of Hope Africa, a community based organization initiated in 2006 to empower less fortunate and marginalized adolescent girls socially and economically in Nairobi, Kenya.
Apart from this work, I am part of a few local and international young people and women movements, networks, and coalitions. Based on my experience working with young people and women, I share my knowledge, ideas, skills and best practices with other young leaders I meet. I also organize solidarity activities with other young people.
Also I also mentor adolescent girls on SRH/R and HIV/AIDS nationally and internationally through trainings, capacity building, and team building.
I believe that the solution to young people’s problems lays with them. Empowering them is like empowering the whole village and targeting adolescent girls is key to reducing the current problems societies face.
What is your vision of lasting change for yourself and for the world's young people?
My vision is a world where youth, especially young women, are actively involved and participate in the social, political, and economic decision making of their country. Where no one is left behind.
If you could tell world leaders one thing, what would it be?
Youth are the leaders of today. They (leaders) should make the environment conducive and safe for realization of our dreams and capability.
Website or Online Profile
http://www.fortressafrica.or.ke/
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I have seen personaly what Felista is capable of and am certain she can execute as well as implement work plans without probity.
Great Work you are doing to empower girls. Keep up! You can count on my vote