This Women’s History Month, WGEP is honoring two of our fearless woman leaders in Kenya and Senegal.
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Spotlighting WGEP’s Women Leaders
This Women’s History Month, WGEP is honoring two of our fearless woman leaders in Kenya and Senegal. Their dedication and commitment to ensuring every girl has the opportunity to go to school and work toward a brighter future inspires us every day!
Aniceta Kiriga
Aniceta is the Founder and Director of WGEP partner organization, Tharaka Women’s Welfare Program (TWWP). She is a powerhouse civil society leader who has been a catalyst for peace by functionally eradicating the violent practice of female genital mutilation (FGM/c) in Tharaka-nithi county, Kenya.
In 1996, Aniceta founded Ntanira Na Mugambo (“Circumcision with Words” in English) to offer adolescent girls a community-based alternative to FGM/c through annual “Alternative Rite of Passage (ARP)” seminars. This program has created a cultural shift away from FGM in favor of girls education. Aniceta’s activism also influenced the Kenya Children’s Act of 2001, which made FGM/c illegal in Kenya.
Through a partnership with WGEP, Aniceta has been able to expand her program to also include scholarships for girls, adult literacy classes, a school reading and tutoring program, and most recently a partnership with USAID to build a first-of-its-kind community library in Tharaka-nithi county.
Aniceta has been awarded two Kenya Presidential Awards and has helped thousands of women who have grown up to be government officials, teachers, accountants, engineers, social workers and nurses – multiplying her impact for generations to come.
Yvette Penda Senghor
Yvette is WGEP’s Senegal Program Director and has been involved in the program since its inception in 2004! She started as a teacher and mentor to our first ever scholar, Amy’s host sister, Khady Ndiaye. In 2017 she became the Director of the school, Saint Thèrèse School, a private school in Sokone serving students K-12.
Yvette is a true role model for other women and girls in her community having started off as a teacher. Through her hard work and commitment to education, she soared to the leadership position at the most well regarded school in the region. Yvette is a skilled expert at community organizing, and has the respect of the community. She has built strong relationships with local schools and community leaders and speaks regularly at mobilization meetings for parents and scholars.
In addition to the incredible success Yvette has had in her community, her leadership has been recognized globally. In March 2023, Yvette was invited to participate and present about her work with WGEP at the UN commission on the status of women (CSW) in New York City (pictured above).
Yvette’s unwavering dedication is demonstrated in her own words, “I believe it is my sacred duty to instruct, educate and transform the lives of young women and girls."
Congratulations to Aniceta and Yvette for years of successful leadership in service of the women and girls in their communities and around the world!
Celebrating International Women’s Day
On March 8, our partners in Senegal and Kenya gathered together to celebrate International Women’s Day. In Senegal, Women led a march in Sokone to celebrate the contributions that women have made in their community. They later gathered for dancing, community speeches, and poetry readings from participants in Our Sisters Lead.
In Kenya, the community celebrated the women in their community, the progress they have made toward gender equity, and the continued efforts they are making toward a brighter future for women. Community members gathered to enjoy speeches, dancing, and a cake!
Ndajee (en-DAH-jee), meaning "get together" in Wolof, is our annual celebration, and biggest fundraising event of the year! This year’s event is particularly significant for WGEP as we are celebrating our 20th anniversary.
This year, our goal is to raise $250,000 to expand our impact, and support scholarships, health, education, literacy and leadership programs for more girls in more communities.
What can I expect at Ndajee 2024?
For the first time, Ndajee is now on a FRIDAY night! Bring your dancing shoes as we celebrate 20 years with dinner, drinks, a dance performance and a DJ! We will hear from a panel of speakers, including program alumni from Senegal and Kenya, Movement Makers, and WGEP leaders, on the importance and progress of girls’ education. We are also excited to announce that this year’s panel discussion will be moderated by former WBEZ Worldview host,Jerome McDonnell. We will also have a live auction, silent auction and paddle raise and more!
Join us for an inspiring evening to celebrate the progress we have made, and our vision for a future in which all girls decide for themselves their own future!
WGEP scholar in Senegal, and Junior in High School
Charcoal lover,
Desired among her own,
Precious opaque star
Her ebony beauty so soft and lovely, embraces the colors of optimism
A timeless color that never ceases to enchant us,
A color that captivates the soul,
Xenophile woman, embodied by her beauty,
Warming our spirits and nurturing rebirth,
To her radiant presence and charming voice
The color Bilal (Religious Leader) had, raised so high that it’s above the Kaaba in Mecca!
In the radiance of her gaze, shines infinite hope
Like a beacon in the night guiding our blossoming lives,
In every breath her melody resounds, a symphony of love that dazzles
endlessly,
African woman!
Black woman!
For more frequent updates, follow Women's Global on social media! Support girls' education in rural Senegal and Kenya by making a gift via our website. Linked below.
