Among Giants: What the Rooted & Rising Convening Left Me With

From the first day in Nairobi, those words did not feel like metaphor, they felt real.

Because here, “Mama” is more than just a word, it is the highest form of praise. It means to carry, to care and to provide. And across this convening, I came to understand that we were surrounded by Mamas; women who imagined a different world and fought relentlessly to build it, and now are inviting us to continue. 

Over the course of the week, this idea of planting and sowing something beyond yourself became a quiet thread weaving through everything.

“Let us move from declarations to transformation” - Lilian N. Mbuthi (sister)

African feminism, as we explored it, is not a monolith. It is community-driven and asks us to look inward as much as outward. We spoke about sovereignty, specifically how Africa remains the world’s resource mine and the urgency of building solidarity that is rooted in local, regional action.

Because how can we achieve continental unity if we are not doing the work in our own communities?

“Bravery has no gender.” - Oleksandra Matviichuk

I had the privilege of serving as a rapporteur during the table talks, specifically on youth and women in politics and participation in decision-making, an intersection I care deeply about. What struck me most was the diversity of experiences and the clarity of what needs to change.

There was an overwhelming consensus: we must move from passive to active support.

Not just inviting young people into rooms, but championing them, which involves  creating pathways through mentorship, financing and resourcing. We spoke about lived experience as expertise and building strategies that are shaped and co-created by those most affected. Sitting there, listening and taking notes, I realised I was not just documenting the conversations, I was being shaped by them.

“We have a light that can’t be dimmed.” -  Leymah Gbowee

Some of the most powerful moments happened outside. On Wangari Maathai Day, we walked through Karura Forest, a space defended through years of resistance and community action. 

Wangari Maathai’s life was spoken about not as a story, but as a legacy. And within Karura Forest, walking the land she fought to protect, planting trees with our own hands, that truth sat deeply within me. We spent the day learning about participatory forest management and stood in a grove that carries her name. 

And then in Kereita Forest, we listened again, to the women and communities that steward it. We spoke about conservation as lived reality and the role of women in protecting ecosystems.

“Solidarity and radical love can change the world.” - Amy Lira

By the final day, something had shifted within me.

The bonds I made here are not temporary, but are part of something larger – a shared commitment to continue the work long after we leave the room.

The week was heavy in the best way. We celebrated, danced, cried, laughed, and dug the roots for something completely transformative.

Juno Hassan is an MSc Earth Science student and climate advocate focused on advancing just and sustainable solutions. Their work bridges climate science with community-driven action, with experience in intersectional environmentalism, youth engagement, biodiversity, and environmental policy. Passionate about inclusive approaches, Juno is committed to amplifying marginalized voices and shaping equitable climate policy that leaves no one behind.