Nobel Women's Initiative - Home
Join Us Donate
  • Home
  • Who We Are

    Since 2006 we have worked in solidarity with women's movements, organizations, and activists around the world to build peace, defend justice, and champion equality for all.
    • The Laureates

      • Rigoberta Menchú Tum
      • Jody Williams
      • Shirin Ebadi
      • Leymah Gbowee
      • Tawakkol Karman
      • Maria Ressa
      • Narges Mohammadi
      • Oleksandra Matviichuk
    • The Board

      • Profiles
    • Supporters

      • Individual and institutional donors
    • Staff

      • Profiles
  • What We Do

    Nobel Women's Initiative delivers programs, events, training, mentorship, advocacy and campaigns.
    • Areas of Work

      • Influencing Change
      • Shifting the Narrative
      • Leading Peace Together
    • News & Information

      • Press releases and Statements
      • Annual & Thematic Reports
      • Blog
  • Our Approach

    This is why and how we work to increase the visibility of women striving for peace, justice and equality.
    • About Us

      • Vision, Mission, Feminist Principles
      • Highlights of our Work
      • History & Background
    • What's Our Approach?

      • Transition and Renewal
      • Strategic Directions 2023-2027
  • Get Involved

    Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates on opportunities to join us in our work.
      • Donate
    • Work With Us

      • Jobs
Join Us Donate
  1. Shifting the Narrative
  2. 16 Days of Activism
  3. Meet Micheline Muzaneza, South Africa

Meet Micheline Muzaneza, South Africa

Micheline is a project coordinator with the Sonke Gender Justice Network in South Africa, promoting the health and rights of the refugee community.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
Meet Micheline Muzaneza, South Africa

Micheline's experiences growing up as a refugee have shaped Micheline’s dedication to support others who are dealing with trauma and seeking a brighter future.

Micheline’s parents escaped the political instability of Burundi to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. She was born and raised in eastern Congo, among the conflict and war that saw widespread attacks on civilians.

In her youth, she had a choice as to whether to respond to the violence with violence or peace. She chose the path of an activist, working with the United Nations in Burundi to document cases of gender-based violence during the civil war, which ended in 2005.

When her family was resettled in Canada, Micheline refused to go—saying her work was not yet done in Africa.

Now living and working in South Africa, she works with the refugee population that has fled the violence in eastern Congo—providing everything from interpretation to workshops for women dealing with the trauma of displacement and sexual violence, among other issues. Micheline helps the women adapt to their news lives in South Africa – and move past trauma.

Micheline and the Sonke team face significant challenges. South African society is struggling with rocketing levels of sexual violence, with a woman being raped very 27 seconds in South Africa. Sonke Gender Justice Network takes a unique approach in focusing its work on men and boys— their relationships with women, and how men can reduce violence, reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS, and promote human rights.

With a vibrant community mobilization program, Sonke is working across the country to engage men in the conversation on ending sexual violence.

“Men must be onboard to support women, because you can’t [end gender based violence] alone. You can't fight this battle alone,” says Micheline.

Micheline says while her work is challenging, the vision of an Africa free from gender violence and one of gender equality pushes her to keep moving forward.

Watch Micheline speak about ending sexual violence in the PSA for the International Campaign to Stop Rape & Gender Violence in Conflict

Nobel Women's Initiative and the Sonke Gender Justice Network are active members of the International Campaign to Stop Rape & Gender Violence in Conflict, the first ever global collaboration between Nobel Peace Laureates, international advocacy organizations, and groups working at the regional and community levels in conflict. Join the campaign!

LEARN MORE

Sonke Gender Justice Network

Men Engage

 

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

16 Days of Activism

November 25, 2022

Afrah Nassar: "Believe that you are worth listening to."

November 25, 2022

Jamila Afghani: “We should extend hands of support to each other."

November 25, 2022

Mèaza Gidey Gebremedhin: “I always need to fight for myself, for my place in this world, and to help others.”

November 25, 2022

A Q&A with democracy activist Khin Ohmar: "I feel at peace knowing there is a young generation fighting for their rights."

November 25, 2022

Amira Osman Hamed: "Don't let them terrify you."

November 25, 2022

Lubna Alkanawati: "What's really helped me to survive is the women's network around me."

November 25, 2022

Nina Potarska, Anna Chernova and Oksana Senyk: "Family peace is a small piece of peacebuilding."

November 25, 2022

Nadia Murad: "We don't get anywhere by pacifying with politeness."

December 10, 2021

Manal Shqair: I’m always fighting every day for my existence as a woman (Palestine)

December 9, 2021

Ounaysa Arabi: Knowledge is power and we have a good inheritance from feminists around the world (Sudan)

December 9, 2021

Ilaf Nasreldin: We as women deserve to live a better life (Sudan)

December 8, 2021

Musu Diamond Kamara: When one woman is affronted, all of us are affronted (Liberia)

More — 16 Days of Activism

Nobel Women's Initiative

Contact Information

General Inquiries
Email:
261 Montreal Rd, Suite 310
Ottawa, ON K1L 8C7
Media Inquiries
Daina Ruduša
Email:

Join Us

  • Join us
  • Donate
  • Event Registration Fee

Social media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Subscribe


© 2025 Nobel Women's Initiative

Sign in to control panel Created with NationBuilder Built by Progressive Nation
Loading…