For over a decade, the Sister-to-Sister Young Feminist Leadership Program has been a cornerstone of the Nobel Women’s Initiative’s work to advance feminist peace and security. Through leadership and skills training, resource provision, and networking, the program equips young women to become influential leaders in their communities and beyond.
Sister-to-Sister Program 2025
Sister-to-Sister Program 2025
This year marks 20 years since Professor Wangari Maathai, co-founder of Nobel Women’s Initiative, received the Nobel Peace Prize for her visionary leadership in peace and environmental justice. Her legacy reminds us that care for the Earth and care for one another are inseparable, and that even in the face of overwhelming challenges, persistence and courage can spark transformation.
It is from this legacy that the 2025 Sister-to-Sister Program takes its theme: Rooted and Rising. At a time when the climate crisis, militarism, and inequality are accelerating, feminist leadership must be firmly rooted in communities and histories while rising to meet urgent global challenges.
25 young feminist activists from 20 countries are coming together through the Sister-to-Sister Program to build solidarity, sharpen skills, and advance creative advocacy and peacebuilding in restrictive contexts. They carry forward Wangari Maathai’s vision—rooted in purpose, and rising with collective strength.
Learn more about the program here!
Meet this year's participants:
Participant: Ayesha Amin
Country: Pakistan
Area(s) of Expertise: Climate Justice, Gender and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)
Ayesha Amin is a feminist activist and researcher working at the nexus of gender, climate justice, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). She is the Founder and CEO of Baithak – Challenging Taboos, a women-led organization dismantling patriarchal structures, amplifying grassroots feminist voices, and advancing gender-responsive climate action in crisis-affected communities.
Through her leadership, Ayesha drives initiatives that strengthen young feminists’ leadership, engage men and boys in gender justice, and center wellbeing and care in movement building. She holds an MS in Social Policy from the University of Pennsylvania and a Postgraduate Diploma in Gender Studies from the University of Iceland.
Her work has earned global recognition, including the Gender Just Climate Solutions Award at COP28, the CAREC Climate and Gender Award, and induction into UPenn SP2’s Hall of Fame. She has also spoken at the United Nations Headquarters during the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
Participant: Daniela Alba
Country: Colombia
Area(s) of Expertise: Education, Migrants Rights and Gender Based-Violence
Daniela Alba, originally from Bogotá, Colombia (Muysca Territory), immigrated to the United States at a young age. She currently serves as Advocacy Coordinator for the Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat (SJES), Policy and Advocacy Officer at Politics4Her, and Advisor to the Beyond Climate Collaborative (BCC).
She holds a master’s degree from The American University of Rome and a bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College, City University of New York (Lenapehoking). Her work centers on advancing education accessibility, fostering cross-cultural advocacy against gender-based violence, and challenging harmful narratives about people with lived experience of displacement—topics she also explores in her TEDx talk.
Daniela is a mentor with MENTEE and a Talitha Kum Youth Ambassador. Previously, she has worked with Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), Oxfam, UNICEF Italia, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Participant: Grace Chilongo
Country: Malawi
Area(s) of Expertise: Gender Equality, Climate Justice and Youth Empowerment
Grace Chilongo is a young feminist leader from Malawi, committed to advancing gender equality, climate justice, and youth empowerment. She is the founder and President of Youth Empowerment and Environmental Management (YEEM), where she leads initiatives that equip women and youth with tools for sustainable energy, climate adaptation, and community resilience.
A citizen science and environmental research specialist, Grace serves as an Honorary Research Assistant at the School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, where she works to integrate local knowledge into disaster preparedness strategies. As an African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) Gender Responsive Agriculture Systems Policy Fellowship (GRASP) Fellow, she advocates for gender-responsive agricultural policies and inclusive development.
Through her work, Grace promotes feminist leadership, collective action, and intergenerational dialogue, inspiring young people to become agents of change. Her efforts highlight the intersection of environmental sustainability and social justice, demonstrating how youth-led innovation and solidarity can foster resilient, equitable, and thriving communities.
Participant: Hillary Semeyan Lenantoiye
Country: Kenya
Area(s) of Expertise: Gender Equality, Climate Justice and Indigenous Rights
Semeyan Hillary Lenantoiyé is the Executive Director of the Inclusive Culture Action Network (ICAN), a youth- and women-led organization advancing gender equality, climate justice, and Indigenous rights in Northern Kenya. She is also a Climate & Peace Ambassador finalist (Miss Climate Kenya 2025) and serves as a Youth Advisor with Mastercard Foundation/IREX.
A Strategic Communication Specialist and certified counselor through the Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development (CCGD) Jasiri Programme, Hillary holds a BA in Electronic Media and Communication (First Class Honours) and is pursuing a Master’s in Development Communication at Daystar University.
With more than seven years of experience, she has spearheaded initiatives on Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), youth empowerment, and economic resilience. She has held senior communications and project management roles with the Anti-FGM Board of Kenya and the Kenya–Finland GBV Programme. Her work integrates the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to empower women and youth, strengthen community health and education, and promote climate adaptation through inclusive, culturally grounded approaches.
Participant: Hina Khattak
Country: Pakistan
Area(s) of Expertise: Climate Justice, Gender Equality, Youth Empowerment, Community Building
Hina Khattak is a climate and social justice activist committed to advancing equity, sustainable development, and inclusive leadership. A gold medalist from the University of Peshawar, she serves as Program Coordinator at the University’s Business Incubation Center and as Co-Director at Politics4Her Asia, a youth-led intersectional feminist platform amplifying young women’s voices in Asia.
At Politics4Her Asia, Hina leads advocacy campaigns, builds youth-led networks, and designs mentorship programs like "Between Sisters" and "Feminist Classroom" that equip young women with the platform and capacity to lead in politics and social change. She bridges grassroots action with policy advocacy, empowering marginalized communities to co-create sustainable solutions. Her initiatives span green entrepreneurship, climate resilience, and digital inclusion, ensuring development is equitable and community-driven. Guided by a commitment to justice and inclusivity, Hina works to inspire a new generation of changemakers dedicated to building a fair, resilient, and sustainable future.
Participant: Jacqueline Cruz Aguila
Country: Mexico
Area(s) of Expertise: Governance, Climate Action and Disability Justice/Rights
Jacqueline “Jacko” Aguila, born in the State of Mexico, is a disabled, autistic, non-binary youth leader recognized for her contributions to citizen participation, governance, and climate action. She champions disability justice as a board member of the International Movement of Youth with Disabilities (IMYD) and advocates for climate justice with Latinas por el Clima. Jacko also advises the Climate Skills Mexico Program and is pursuing postgraduate studies in Climate Change and Biodiversity.
A social researcher, Jacko believes in non-formal education and volunteerism as transformative tools for social change. As a feminist leader, she advances intersectional approaches that integrate disability justice, sexual diversity, and gender equity to strengthen human rights and climate action. She has served as a young leader at JuventudActúaMX 2024, participated in the Citizen Network for Equality and Non-Discrimination of Mexico City 2023, and contributed to the Political Agenda of Women and Non-Binary Persons: Lesbians and Bisexuals 2024–2025.
Participant: Jamella Chesney
Country: Guyana
Area(s) of Expertise: Climate Change and Youth Development
Jamella is an environmentalist, mentor, and poet with a deep passion for climate advocacy, youth empowerment, and creative writing. She specialises in advancing international climate adaptation policy and leading transformative environmental projects with specific focus on agriculture, biodiversity, and land use sectors.
Jamella holds a master’s degree in Environment, Development and Peace, specialising in Climate Change Policy, and a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. As an active member of the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN), Jamella collaborates with young leaders across the region to amplify climate action through advocacy, awareness, and capacity building. She is especially committed to creating spaces where youth voices are not only heard but are central to shaping climate solutions. Guided by a rights-based approach, she works with development agencies, governments, and grassroots organisations to mainstream youth leadership in climate and environmental decision-making.
Jamella also supports recent graduates and young professional women through personalised career coaching and mentorship.
Participant: Jeanette Mwendwa Gitobu
Country: Kenya
Area(s) of Expertise: Renewable Energy and Gender Equality
Jeanette Mwendwa Gitobu is a renewable energy policy specialist and gender equity advocate with over a decade of experience leading multi-country programs across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, and North America. As Director of the Women in Wind Program and Policy Advisor at the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), she advances women’s leadership in the wind sector through mentorship, capacity-building, and policy engagement in 20+ countries.
Her career spans private equity, supply chain, oil & gas, and renewable energy project development including landmark projects such as Africa’s first wind-solar-battery storage hybrid project. Jeanette also serves as Vice Chair of Canada’s Student Energy’s Board, a global youth-led network with 50,000+ members in over 120 countries. Raised in Kenya, Zambia, and Cambodia, she holds a B.A. in Economics from St. Lawrence University and executive education in Financial Modelling for Utility Tariff Setting from the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business.
Participant: Jessica Marvata
Country: United Kingdom
Area(s) of Expertise: Gender Equality, Climate Action and Digital Rights
Jessica is a feminist activist and researcher dedicated to advancing gender equality, climate action, digital rights, and sustainable development. At The Fund for Peace, she contributes to the Fragile States Index, supports the Human Rights and Business Roundtable, and develops knowledge on peacebuilding and resilience.
She previously worked with UNDP’s SDG Integration team, strengthening global knowledge networks on sustainable development and digitalization, and with Restless Development on civic engagement and youth-led activism in the SWANA region. Jessica has also served as Advocacy Officer at Politics4Her, focusing on digital and climate-gender issues, with UN Women on gender-based violence, and with Humanists International on freedom of expression and human rights.
Born and raised in London to an Albanian family, Jessica is now based in Amman, Jordan. She holds an MSc in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics and Political Science and is fluent in English and Albanian.
Participant: Juno Hassan
Country: UK and Somalia
Area(s) of Expertise: Climate Justice, Environmental Advocacy, Community Engagement and Gender Equity
Juno Hassan is an MSc Earth Science student and climate advocate committed to building a just and sustainable world. Their work bridges scientific knowledge of climate and ecological systems with the urgent need for equitable, community-driven solutions. They have led initiatives on intersectional environmentalism, creating spaces for youth engagement in advocacy and climate action, and contributed to projects addressing biodiversity loss and environmental policy.
Combining technical expertise with a commitment to collaboration and leadership, Juno believes tackling the climate crisis requires not only scientific innovation but also amplifying marginalized voices and transforming systems of power. With aspirations to shape international climate policy and promote inclusive approaches to sustainability, Juno brings vision, drive, and a deep commitment to ensuring that solutions to global challenges leave no one behind.
Participant: Karen Anahí Bailón Menéndez
Country: Ecuador
Area(s) of Expertise: Climate Justice, Gender Equity and Indigenous Rights
Karen Bailón is a youth climate advocate from Ecuador, passionate about climate justice, gender equity, and Indigenous rights. She currently serves as Community Engagement Coordinator at GreenCheck, where she has connected more than 200 young people across Latin America, Africa, and Asia to co-create climate solutions. As Regional Focal Point for Girl Up Latam at UNOY, she amplifies the voices of girls and young women in peacebuilding and climate spaces.
Karen has published research on Indigenous women environmental defenders in the Amazon, underscoring their vital role in protecting biodiversity. She is also an alumna of the U.S. Department of State’s Community Engagement Exchange Fellowship, where she collaborated with The Climate Reality Project’s Global Youth Programs team. Through initiatives such as Latinas por el Clima, she continues to champion intergenerational and feminist approaches to climate action in the Global South.
Participant: Lauritta Boniface
Country: Nigeria
Area(s) of Expertise: Climate Negotiator and Climate Education Specialist
Lauritta Boniface is an environmentalist, development professional, climate negotiator, and global partnership for education youth leader with more than half a decade of experience leading impactful projects across Africa. She is passionate about advancing climate education, the circular economy, and gender-responsive climate action, particularly in underserved communities.
She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Ecocykle, a youth-led organization promoting climate literacy and sustainability, and serves on the advisory committee of the WomenPower 2030 Program, where she leads initiatives that strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity. Lauritta also co-founded the Africa Female Negotiators Program (AFNP), a feminist initiative addressing the systemic underrepresentation of women in climate decision-making. She provides capacity building for women-led organizations, mentors young women across Africa in climate diplomacy, and integrates innovative tools, including gamified learning, to promote global climate awareness.
Lauritta’s work has empowered more than 20,000 women and youth and supported over 50 communities in tackling energy poverty, underrepresentation, and climate illiteracy. She continues to drive progress toward gender climate justice and inclusive green development.
Participant: Lilian Njeri Mbuthi
Country: Kenya
Area(s) of Expertise: Gender Justice, Equality, Climate Justice, Peace and Security
Lilian Njeri Mbuthi is a Nairobi-based feminist researcher, storyteller, and organizer working at the intersection of gender justice, global health, equality, climate justice, peace, security, economic empowerment, digital safety, and participatory policy. A dynamic leader committed to uplifting African youth voices and driving equitable change, she designs and leads research that informs policy on digital rights and gender equality, including three cross-country studies surveying 1,100 youth and four policy briefs cited in two county strategies and one ministry guideline.
Through partnerships with governments, INGOs, and grassroots networks, Lilian has mobilized catalytic grants, launched two pilot programs reaching 1,800 adolescents and young women across Africa, and trained 320 advocates in digital safety, with 90% reporting increased confidence. Her DEI practice established inclusion benchmarks adopted by six partners, raising youth representation in decision-making forums by 30%.
She holds a BA in International Relations and is completing an MA in Political Science at Stanford University.
Participant: Luwedde Juliet Grace
Country: Uganda
Area(s) of Expertise: Change-maker, Development Strategist and Environmental Justice Advocate
Juliet Grace is a dedicated change-maker, development strategist, environmental justice advocate, and collaborative program manager with more than eight years of experience leading high-impact initiatives at the nexus of land restoration, climate policy, and gender equality.
She currently serves as the Global Focal Point for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Youth Caucus and Global Co-Chair of the UNCCD Communities of Learning in Practice. Previously, she was the East Africa Regional Coordinator for the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC).
Participant: Maryam
Country: Morocco
Area(s) of Expertise: Governance and Public Policy
Maryam is an aspiring diplomat and policy strategist with dual master’s degrees, including an MBA from the Faculty of Law and Economics at King Mohammed V University in Rabat. She has worked with Moroccan constitutional and governmental institutions such as the House of Representatives and the Ministry of Justice, contributing to legislative processes, justice reform, and public policy analysis. Her professional background also includes experience with business law firms and international governance.
She has led policy-oriented research at a Dutch research center, specializing in intercommunal dialogue, regional peacebuilding, and Arab–Western strategic relations. Her work focuses on narrative recalibration, reducing socio-political polarization, and building durable frameworks for dialogue between Arab–Muslim constituencies and Western policymakers, with a strong focus on religious coexistence and diplomatic engagement in the Middle East.
Passionate about inclusive governance, Maryam actively promotes youth participation in democratic processes and women’s leadership in political decision-making. She is committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions) and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth).
Participant: Maureen Mkude Mkali
Country: Tanzania
Area(s) of Expertise: Water Advocacy, Equity and Foreign Policy
Maureen Mkude Mkali is a graduate of United States International University–Africa with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations, concentrating on diplomacy and foreign policy. Her academic research on racism and discrimination in South Africa’s penal system deepened her commitment to justice-driven leadership.
She currently serves as a World Water Ambassador with World Water Hub, advocating for equitable access to clean water and transforming how communities engage with water resources.
Through the Sister-to-Sister program, Maureen aspires to broaden her global perspective and strengthen her ability to design inclusive solutions for some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Participant: Mirella Tay Márquez
Country: Peru
Area(s) of Expertise: Project Management, International Cooperation and Climate Action
Mirella Tay is an environmental advocate and social entrepreneur passionate about sustainable development and climate action. She holds a degree in Management and International Business from Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC) and a double degree in Business Administration from the University of Arizona, USA. She is the founder of For a Green Peru, a youth-led NGO that mobilizes young people to transform communities, companies, and institutions through environmental action.
With experience in project management, advocacy, and international cooperation, Mirella has led educational programs, coordinated international webinars, and built partnerships with universities, NGOs, and grassroots networks. She has represented youth in policy spaces and championed participatory, science-based solutions to climate challenges.
Her vision is to inspire collective action and advance a greener, more just, and sustainable future for Peru and beyond.
Participant: Mitzi Jonelle Tan
Country: Phillipines
Area(s) of Expertise: Climate Justice and Organizing
Mitzi Jonelle Tan (she/they) is a climate justice activist and organizer from Metro Manila, Philippines. She serves as Global Coordinator with the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, Project Lead of the Climate Justice Squad Fellowship, and a Steering Committee member of the Youth Climate Justice Fund.
Mitzi is a strong voice on anti-imperialism, decolonization, and the intersectionality of the climate crisis. She works to connect grassroots and frontline communities with the global climate movement, ensuring that voices from the Global South are not only heard but centered.
Rooted in love for people, life, and the Earth, her activism is grounded in collective care, solidarity, and a deep connection to nature. Through organizing, cross-movement collaboration, and global solidarity, Mitzi advances systemic change and co-creates more just, sustainable, and equitable futures for all.
Participant: Mutheu Mutuku
Country: Kenya
Area(s) of Expertise: International Law, Human Rights
Mutheu Mutuku is a human rights lawyer, Pan-African feminist, and creative, as well as the founder of Equality Vanguard Africa, a youth-led collective advancing gender justice at the intersection of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), economic justice, and digital rights. She combines legal advocacy, digital storytelling, and youth engagement to champion inclusive and transformative change.
She currently serves on the European Union Youth Sounding Board, where she applies an intersectional feminist lens to influence EU policy affecting Kenyan youth. As the 2025 Youth in Landscapes Intern, she contributed to co-creating solutions that center both people and the planet at the Global Landscapes Forum, underscoring her commitment to justice in all its forms.
Participant: Nazgul Dolotkeldieva
Country: Kyrgyzstan
Area(s) of Expertise: Filmmaker and Human Rights
Nazgul Dolotkeldieva is a filmmaker, producer, and human rights activist from Kyrgyzstan with over a decade of experience in communications and public relations, collaborating with international organizations such as UNDP and UNICEF. She holds a Master of Arts and is recognized as the first gender studies researcher to examine women’s representation in Kyrgyz cinema. Her documentaries on human rights have driven tangible policy change, including a 50% increase in state allowances for low-income families.
Through her communications and advocacy work, Nazgul has inspired girls to pursue STEM careers, using storytelling to challenge stereotypes and expand opportunities for women and youth. She is a resident of the Fund of Art Females of Asia and coordinator of the International Film Forum for Female Directors in Kyrgyzstan.
Nazgul is also a fellow of the Asian Producers Network 2024 (Singapore) and the Alternativa Development Lab, and winner of the 2025 Umut documentary pitching competition.
Participant: Ringisai Campbell
Country: Zimbabwe / Currently based in Papua New Guinea
Area(s) of Expertise: Gender Equality, Feminist Leadership, Food Systems, Youth Empowerment, Climate Justice
Ringisai Campbell is a globally minded advocate passionate about advancing gender equality, youth empowerment, and inclusive development. She holds a Master’s degree in International Public Administration and Politics, where her research examined gender in climate change policy and feminist approaches to governance.
She has supported capacity-building, gender mainstreaming, and community-led development initiatives across the Pacific, Africa, and Europe. Her work includes strengthening climate resilience, food sovereignty, and women’s participation in both rural and urban systems, particularly alongside smallholder cocoa farmers and grassroots communities.
Through her research and practice, Ringisai contributes to gender and climate advocacy, youth program design, and donor engagement. Her academic and professional focus spans gender and climate change, period poverty, disaster governance, democracy, and development aid.
Participant: Ruqia Abdullah Hadi Al-Gholi
Country: Yemen
Area(s) of Expertise: Gender Equality, Community Engagement and Climate Action
Ruqia Abdullah is a Yemeni humanitarian and development professional with extensive experience working with civil society, INGOs, and UN agencies in crisis and post-conflict contexts. She has led programs on food security, economic empowerment, climate resilience, gender equality, and community engagement, ensuring marginalized voices are represented in decision-making.
A dedicated learner and advocate, Ruqia actively engages in local, regional, and global networks to amplify feminist and youth perspectives in crisis response through leadership, policy dialogue, and capacity-building. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in International Relations at Liverpool John Moores University, specializing in peacebuilding, sustainable development, and inclusive approaches to climate challenges and post-conflict recovery.
Participant: Summer Shaheen
Country: Palestine
Area(s) of Expertise: Environmental Activist
Summer Shaheen is an environmental activist and sustainable agriculture practitioner with a strong commitment to children’s eco-education and the empowerment of rural women.
As both an agronomist and a farmer, she works closely with local farmers, providing technical field support and promoting sustainable farming practices.
Summer’s passion for agriculture and the environment also extends to children’s education. Through her volunteer work with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS), she engages children in hands-on activities that foster environmental awareness and encourage creative reuse of plastic, particularly during summer camps. She has also contributed to community-based environmental initiatives that enhance local food production through sustainable resource use and organic waste management. In addition, she serves as a dedicated member of PRCS’s emergency response team.
Participant: Viola Kataike
Country: Uganda
Area(s) of Expertise: Climate Justice and Women’s Leadership
Viola is a Ugandan feminist and eco-activist passionate about climate justice, women’s leadership, and community transformation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology with a specialization in gender, training, and development, and is pursuing a Master of Arts in Human Rights, strengthening her rights-based advocacy.
As Policy and Advocacy Lead at Girls for Climate Action, Viola promoted feminist climate justice, advancing women’s access to land and water in Uganda and across Africa. Her leadership earned her the Most Influential Young Woman Award at the 2024 African Women Audacity Conference in Nairobi. She is also a BeVisioneers Fellowship awardee for her My Planet Project, supporting sustainable agriculture by women farmers.
Viola co-founded A Hand for a Refugee to empower refugee youth and women and launched Our Internet, Her Space Too to amplify refugee women’s digital rights.
Participant: Wiem Trabelsi
Country: Tunisia
Area(s) of Expertise: Environmentalist and Climate Justice
Wiem Trabelsi is a Tunisian environmentalist, conservationist, and youth advocate dedicated to climate justice and sustainability. She is the Environmental Projects Officer at Ifriqiya, where she designs and manages initiatives that foster environmental awareness and community engagement.
A graduate in English Literature, Wiem combines her academic training with activism to communicate effectively across cultures and platforms. She is also an alumna of the Stevens Initiative Fellowship (2024/2025) and the Safir EU program, experiences that deepened her expertise in international collaboration and youth leadership.
Her work reflects a strong commitment to advancing climate action, protecting biodiversity, and empowering youth to build a more sustainable and just future.
Mentors
Participant: Arwa Aleryani
Country: Yemen (S2S 2023 Cohort)
Area(s) of Expertise: Feminist Peace, Climate Justice, Resilience, Women Empowerment.
Arwa is a Yemeni human rights advocate with a background in psychology and social studies. She worked for eight years in the field before shifting her focus toward advocacy, particularly the rights of women and children, who are among the most marginalized in society.
To strengthen her work on the ground, Arwa pursued multiple courses in human rights and advocacy, gaining significant experience over five years of work in Yemen. Her commitment to justice and peace continued after leaving the country through her role with the Peace Track Initiative (PTI), where she contributes to advancing human rights and peacebuilding. PTI has long championed climate justice as a core pillar of its efforts and was recently recognized as a Climate Observer.
Participant: Cassandra Spade
Country: Mishkeegogamang (First Nation, Canada – S2S 2019 Cohort )
Area(s) of Expertise: Law, Indigenous Law and Language Rights, Community-based workshops
Cassandra Spade (she/her) is an Anishinaabe human rights activist from the Mishkeegogamang First Nation, located in Northwestern Ontario. She is the founder of Gaa-Minwaajindizowaaj, a grassroots organization that provides Anishinaabe language and cultural programming. She holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law at Lakehead University, and a B.A. from the University of Manitoba.
She is dedicated to the revitalization, protection and preservation of Indigenous languages and works to support Indigenous youth in developing their Anishinaabe language proficiency. Her work continues to be community-driven, localized and youth-focused.
Participant: Caryn Dasah
Country: Cameroon (S2S 2023 Cohort)
Area(s) of Expertise: Youth Engagement, Youth Peace and Security , Grassroots Movement Building, Food
Security , Environmental Protection
Caryn Dasah holds a Master’s degree in Peace, Conflict, and International Relations. She is a social justice activist and recognized youth leader with frontline experience in campaigns and advocacy initiatives advancing women’s rights, gender equality, and peacebuilding.
Her dedication to amplifying the voices of women and girls and fostering peace has led to her role as National Coordinator of the Cameroon Women’s Peace Movement. Caryn has extensive expertise in promoting women’s rights, mediation and negotiations, trauma healing, education in emergencies, humanitarian action, and advocacy.
Through her organization, Hope Advocate Africa, she supports grassroots women farmers by strengthening food security and protecting the environment. The organization provides seedlings and training to promote sustainable agriculture and empower women in rural communities.
Participant: Nkatha Muthaura
Country: Kenya (S2S 2024 Cohort)
Area(s) of Expertise: Environmental and Climate Justice
Nkatha Muthaura is an environmental lawyer with a strong background in gender equality, peace, and development, specializing in climate justice and sustainable development. She is experienced in linking environmental challenges with conflict resolution, particularly within marginalized communities, and works at the intersection of law, policy, and community empowerment to advance equitable access to resources and just green energy transitions.
Her expertise has contributed to the UN Global Compact’s Sustainable Development initiatives, including the development of renewable energy solutions in Kenya. She also serves as a Peace Ambassador and Activator with the Institute of Economics and Peace, supporting peacebuilding efforts across East Africa.
Participant: Pinky Langa
Country: South Africa (S2S 2023 Cohort)
Area(s) of Expertise: Community Development, Advocacy and Social Impact , Just Energy Transition
Pinky is a feminist activist dedicated to advancing women’s education and economic empowerment. She is a Women Can Do It facilitator, part of a training and capacity-building program launched by the Norwegian Labour Party in the 1980s to promote and strengthen women’s participation in public and political life.
Her work includes leading study circles with women from mining-affected communities facing high unemployment. These circles examine systemic barriers to resources, explore ways to build local economies, and equip women with the tools to break free from abusive relationships.
Currently, Pinky is engaged in the Just Energy Transition, applying a feminist approach to ensure inclusive and equitable solutions. She is also leading projects on environmental justice, education, and community empowerment across South Africa.