How a Global Sisterhood is helping me to thrive in Gender Responsive Digital Ecosystems

I can't believe I'll be doing anniversaries at World Pulse Community starting this year. It feels like yesterday but for women empowerment it feels like a decade. This global sisterhood has placed me on an international influence level when it comes to Women breaking the Barriers.

UN International Women's Day is around the corner , and this year's theme will be "Inspire Inclusion". One of my both personal and professional values is Inclusion. And everywhere I go, I must do a thorough checking to see if they value equity, equality, diversity and inclusion. Especially as a religious Minority and an empowered woman from a toxic misogynistic community who is breaking the negative stereotypes and cultural attitudes towards women empowerment.

I am here to share my story how World Pulse has helped transcend the boarders. Well, having learnt the power of diversity and how to utilize digital ecosystems to fill the gender gap, I Decided to become a Certified Gender Equality Expert at Impaakt. With a great connection from WP that has helped me get more networking opportunities outside WP.

Did you know that we also have the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) around the corner? With the

Priority theme "Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective."

Because of my role as a Voting Member and Wellness Coordinator at World Pulse REG , I got appointed to be a co-leader at Community Care Collective, a group of Young Activists and Adolescents working on Activists mental health and wellbeing in their line of duty. Well , I just applied to attend their spaces for more experience but I was shocked to receive an email acknowledging my REG Wellness Coordinator role, and that's how they decided I'll be a co-leader, now A Gender Activist at CCC. I'll be hosting a space at the UN CSW68!!! Yeah, still shocked that a village girl is going to be on the screens at the UN General Assembly talking about Mental Health and Wellbeing . https://www.instagram.com/p/C34W2YZNoWu/?igsh=YzljYTk1ODg3Zg==

I have always dreamt of working with UN . Why is this a huge step to me? My face on the screens at the United Nations General Assembly!!! Among the people speaking on mental health and wellness and of course offering the service to the high level event? Thank you for this Digital Safe Space, sisterhood. For always believing in me. For showing me that in this big world nothing is impossible for a small determined girl with big dreams.

I just took a huge milestone, started from scratch through the encouragement of amazing WP sisters like my Mentor Elizabeth Francis, Queen Sheeba Cisse, Tamarack Verall, Jill Langus Griffin, Kirthi Jayakumar, E.J, Sherna Alexander, Vaishnavi, Elena Georgoiu and so many others for always advising me on how ro go about my empowerment journey. Purity Kenya, Benita Kuula, Sama Milen and so many who believed in me as an inspiration to them and for believing in me who are always assuring more power to me and how am destined for greatness.

My intiatives have received a lot of recognition because of World Pulse. I come from an indigenous community where being a woman in technology is something else ( not achievable) . But my name entered Wikipedia because of sharing stories at World Pulse Community. Individuals have been searching my name and accrediting my work because of my world Pulse profile.

My work on Women and Children Rights especially on Gender Equality and Feminism Advocacy has been featured on more than 15 Both local and international platforms some are here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_xeCdat3P4L-PPMwsWBfRY4AGvqpLpW1DUMt8fVu_YY/edit?usp=drivesdk

My dream is to surpass my 2024 direct target beneficiaries which is 1000. Currently my work is looking to benefit millions of kenyan women and children. So far, my 5,000 impact is still not well with me.

World Pulse has allowed me to amplify my campaigns and initiatives on this safe space. Am currently on phase 2 of our #EndOBVKE Campaign now doing The OBV Survey Kenya on a national scale.

My dream is to see Expectant Women, Adolescents and children receiving the proper maternal health care services as outlined in our Kenyan Constitution under Article 43; The chapter on the Bill of Rights in the Kenyan Constitution, 2010 provides for enjoyment of Economic and Social rights under Article 43 1 (a-f) on six sectors which include health, adequate food and of acceptable quality, housing, clean and safe water, social security and education. This is what BrightHarriet Foundation is going to do in the next 5 years.

A lot of you have really connected me to opportunities that have provided me with the kind of professional therapy that I once admired to have. Opportunities that value my services and appreciates the power of diversity. When you get to tell a person that you come from this sisterhood, they immediately acredit your skills and competencies in the digital space. Even before I joined the Young Innovation Leaders Fellowship, World Pulse had already given me the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals across the globe.

A lot of women rights activists here who have helped me learn how to become an authentic feminist. That Being a woman means embracing strength, resilience, and empathy. It involves navigating societal expectations while staying true to oneself. It's about breaking barriers, fostering connections, and advocating for equality. Being a woman is a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and contributing positively to the world around us. I never knew I will become a Social Justice Activst. I just knew I will be championing for Human Rights in all ways.

Because what is a sisterhood anyway?

Sisterhood to me encompasses a bond of support, understanding, and shared experiences among women, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment. It's about lifting each other up, celebrating successes, and navigating challenges together, like a chosen family.