Hawa — A Voice of Justice from Shimoni

Hawa Hamisi, a dedicated member of Pride of Shimoni, a women-led organization in Kwale, Kenya, is known for her strong sense of justice, always committed to standing against oppression and violence, especially towards women and children.

Her journey as an advocate began in 2022, when YSW identified her as a gender champion. After her training, she became actively involved in pushing for the Kwale Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Protection Act 2023. Together with other young people, she moved from community to community speaking with residents, creating awareness, and encouraging support for the bill. Their collective efforts contributed to the bill being passed.

But for Hawa, the passing of the bill was only the beginning.

After the Act was enacted, Hawa continued her work by advocating for its operationalisation, focusing on the creation of safe houses and strengthening SGBV referral pathways. Now, these elements have already been included in the County Integrated Development Plan, giving her hope that they will be implemented soon.

In Shimoni, cases of SGBV and child abuse remain common, and many survivors do not know how or where to seek help. Hawa takes it upon herself to educate the community, guide survivors through referral processes, and support them as they pursue justice.