Re-ImagInIng Power: 2024 Annual Report

Re-ImagInIng Power: 2024 Annual Report

CONTENTS 01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

HOW WE WORK

PROGRAM IMPACT

FINANCIAL OUTLOOK

09

DONOR RECOGNITION

WHO WE ARE

HOW WE WON: A SNAPSHOT OF OUR 2024 IMPACT

LIVING OUR VALUES: NURTURING LEADERSHIP FROM WITHIN

FUNDING CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Friends, Partners and Allies, As I reflect on Akili Dada’s journey through 2023, one truth resonates profoundly: resilience is our superpower. In a world fraught with challenges, our community of girls and young women leaders hasn't just endured—they have actively led with purpose and vision—they have reimagined what's possible. These extraordinary change-makers have turned obstacles into stepping stones, channeling adversity into a force for revolutionary change with unwavering determination and visionary courage.

This annual report doesn't just document our collective achievements—it celebrates triumph against overwhelming odds and spurs us on as the world grows more difficult to navigate. In it we share the birth of movements such as the We for She Movement, where passionate young women transformed personal conviction into a powerful national advocacy platform, meaningfully contributing to critical policy discourse on gender-based violence and femicide.

And witness the extraordinary transformation led by visionaries like Mvera Kazungu, who strategically evolved their organizations from reactive crisis management to proactive change agents with lasting impact. Throughout these pages, you'll find powerful testimony that truly resilient leadership transcends mere survival—it channels adversity into a catalytic force that reimagines and rebuilds communities from the ground up.

2023 was equally a year of significant institutional growth and profound transformation. We expanded our board from 5 to 9 members, welcoming incredible women leaders from across sectors who bring diverse expertise and renewed vision to our work. Despite navigating shrinking funding landscapes, our team demonstrated remarkable resilience—with several staff members stepping into expanded roles that deepened our programmatic impact. This period of growth was not without its challenges, as we collectively mourned the loss of Claire Manthosi, an African feminist icon and beloved board member whose legacy continues to inspire our work. Through both celebration and grief, our organizational resilience has only strengthened, enhancing our capacity to nurture young women leaders across Kenya and East Africa even in uncertain times.

None of this transformation would be possible without you—our steadfast champions and visionaries who have walked alongside us, believing fiercely in a world where African women leaders stand at the helm of change across all sectors. Your unwavering commitment has been the bedrock of our revolution. By trusting us to center the voices society pushes to the margins and investing boldly in grassroots feminist organizing, you haven't merely funded programs—you've ignited movements that will cascade through generations, transforming landscapes of power and possibility for decades to come.

As we forge ahead into 2025, we invite you to deepen your commitment to this vital work.

Here's how you can support us: Become a sustaining partner with recurring financial support that allows us to plan boldly for the future Amplify our work by sharing these stories of transformation within your networks Connect us with resources, platforms, and allies who can help scale our impact Visit our programs and witness firsthand the power of feminist leadership in action In times when challenges facing our communities seem insurmountable, I remain profoundly hopeful. I have witnessed what becomes possible when young women are resourced, trusted, and equipped to lead—nothing less than the transformation of our world.

Join us in building this future, today.

With fierce hope and in solidarity, Joy Zawadi Executive Director, Akili Dada.

Who We Are Akili Dada is an award-winning leadership incubator anchored on the belief that girls and young women CAN, DO and WILL LEAD. Our mission is to nurture transformative leadership in girls and young women from underserved and low-income backgrounds to meet the urgent need for more young African women in leadership.

We envision a world where African Women Leaders actively participate in crucial decisionmaking processes across sectors.

We journey alongside girls and young women, igniting their inherent power and amplifying their voices and perspectives while nurturing legacies of influence that can be sustained and replicated globally. We invest in building their leadership capacities by providing access to quality education, mentorship, supportive networks, and personal and professional development opportunities; while actively removing the financial barriers that hold women and girls back.

With close to two decades of engaging and collaborating with young women and girls have informed our programmatic philosophy grounded in igniting inherent power (Washa), amplifying voices and perspectives (Angaza), and nurturing legacies of influence (Urithi) that can be sustained and replicated worldwide.

We believe that communities are positively transformed when African girls and young women participate in critical conversations and collectively organize for change.

How we work Our model at Akili Dada is built on a simple yet powerful principle, when girls and young women are trusted, resourced, and supported, they lead transformative change. In 2024, we operationalized this belief through an integrated approach that combined access to quality education, rights-based advocacy, mental health and well-being support, mentorship, and economic empowerment.

Our work was grounded in community realities and informed by the lived experiences of girls and young women in Kenya’s underserved communities. Through deep listening and participatory design, we co-created programs that centred girl-led solutions and addressed systemic barriers to education, leadership, and bodily autonomy. From Samburu to Kwale, from the Manyatta Homeschooling Centres to national policy spaces, our interventions were anchored in intersectionality, care, and feminist leadership.

With each program was tailored to its context, we delivered intensive training institutes, supported school-to-career transitions, equipped community educators, strengthened youthled organizations, and incubated grassroots feminist movements.

By working across the country and region, we nurtured a growing ecosystem of bold girls and young women who are not just surviving systems of exclusion but transforming them.

How we won: A snapshot of our 2024 Impact

665+

29

girls accessed foundational education through the Manyatta Homeschooling Project

girls transitioned to formal education from the Manyatta Homeschooling centres despite cultural and economic barriers

new schools joined our network of partner schools through which we award scholarships

2

30

new scholars onboarded across Kilifi, Kwale, Turkana, and Samburu counties

25

scholars transitioned from high school to university and TVET programs 90+ alumnae participated in regional bootcamps focused on career readiness and economic empowerment

446

adolescent girls from 17 African countries participated in the Wasichana Wa Afrika Summit

26

educators trained to lead initiatives in their schools

19

community-based advocates trained in girl-centred SRHR and reproductive justice

145

SRHR

and

young women underwent feminist training through 8 regional institutes

anti-GBV

leadership

Program Impact

1. AdvancIng EducatIon through Cultural IntegratIon

In 2024, we made transformative strides in expanding access to education for out-of-school girls through our Manyatta Homeschooling (MH) initiative. The pilot initiative expanded to six centres (Lomirok, Mpagas, Natiti, Nalingangor, Soit Naibor, and Tankar) reaching over 600 girls in communities where insecurity, cultural, and economic barriers continue to hinder girls' learning journeys.

These community-anchored learning spaces have been designed to be safe and affirming environments for girls who have previously dropped out of school or were never enrolled. In 2024, 29 girls made the remarkable transition from the homeschooling centres to formal education. This milestone represents more than academic progression, it is a powerful act of resistance against early marriage, child labour, and the gendered expectation that boys’ education matters more.

Many girls struggled to balance the demands of domestic responsibilities with their commitment to learning. Facilitators engaged parents in targeted dialogues to reinforce the value of regular attendance and learning continuity. These conversations shifted perceptions and created a ripple effect of encouragement within families.

Additionally, the lack of basic learning materials such as stationery, school uniforms, and dignity packs made it difficult for girls to participate fully. Akili Dada responded by providing essential supplies, affirming that access to learning should never depend on affordability. With restored dignity and practical resources, girls re-entered classrooms with renewed confidence.

Community resistance persisted in some regions, especially where cultural norms still undervalue girls’ education. In response, our program collaborated with local leaders to reshape the narrative around girls’ rights to education. Through consistent sensitization and community dialogues, we witnessed a growing wave of local champions advocating for girls’ education.

Ultimately, this work is not just about learning, it is about liberation. Girls are reclaiming the right to dream and build futures that are truly their own.

BreakIng BarrIers: Lucy’s Journey from BrewIng Pots to School Books

At just 15 years old, Lucy Ewoi from Samburu County is already rewriting her story. A proud member of the Turkana community, Lucy was born into a low-income family where brewing and selling illicit brew was the primary means of survival. Her home environment, marked by patriarchal control and financial hardship, denied her the chance to attend school. Instead, she was expected to support the family business and help fund her brothers’ education.

Life changed when Akili Dada established the Nalingangor Manyatta Homeschooling Centre in Lucy’s village. For Lucy, the centre became a safe space, an escape from the harassment she faced from intoxicated customers, and a doorway to the world of learning. Eager to break free from the limitations imposed on her, she joined the program and began learning how to read, write, and express herself in Kiswahili. This exposure sparked a deep passion for education.

However, Lucy’s pursuit of knowledge was not without resistance. Her father, adhering to cultural traditions, had already arranged for her to be married in exchange for dowry.

Refusing to accept this path, Lucy turned to the facilitators at the homeschooling centre for help. Together, they engaged her parents in challenging conversations about the value of her education and future. After persistent efforts, her parents relented and allowed her to enrol in formal schooling.

Lucy joined Grade 3 at Natiti Primary School and quickly excelled—ranking third in her first assessment and now leading her class. Her academic success has strengthened her resolve to become a teacher; a goal she hopes will not only uplift her own life but also empower her siblings to rise above poverty.

Lucy’s story is a powerful testament to the impact of community-based education and mentorship. With resilience and the right support, she has overcome cultural and economic barriers, stepping boldly into a brighter future.

Unbeaded and Unstoppable: Manuella’s Brave Step Toward EducatIon Manuella, a 15-year-old girl from Samburu County and a member of the Turkana community, has defied deep-rooted cultural traditions to pursue her dream of education. At a young age, she was subjected to the cultural practice of beading a symbolic engagement meant to secure future dowry payments. This tradition, meant to prepare her for early marriage, denied her the chance to attend school, and left her dreams of becoming a doctor hanging in the balance.

Despite the restrictions, Manuella held tightly to her aspirations. Her breakthrough came when Akili Dada introduced the Manyatta Homeschooling Project in her village. She eagerly joined the sessions, and for the first time, she began learning to read, write, speak Kiswahili, and recognize English words just like her peers in formal schools.

Her passion for learning quickly became unstoppable. In an act of remarkable courage, Manuella chose to defy tradition she “unbeaded” herself, breaking free from the expectations placed upon her, and enrolled in a nearby formal school. She joined Grade 2 and immediately stood out for her intelligence and dedication. Her teachers praised her outstanding performance, and in her first national examination, she ranked 5th in her class.

Manuella’s story is one of bold defiance and unwavering determination. She continues to work hard toward her dream of becoming a doctor and hopes her journey will encourage her parents and the wider community to support girls’ education. Her resilience is a shining example of how change begins with one brave step forward.

2. ExpandIng Access: WelcomIng New Scholars Access to quality education is a right and radical act of equity. In 2024, we deepened this commitment by expanding our high school scholarship program to reach even more girls who stand at the margins of opportunity.

We welcomed 30 new scholars from underserved areas, onboarding two new partner schools Matuga Girls High School in Kwale county and Turkana Girls High School in Turkana County. These new partner schools were selected based on their strong academic performance, inclusive ethos, and demonstrated commitment to supporting girls’ leadership. Our scholarship program goes far beyond paying school fees, we invest in a holistic process designed to recognize potential, nurture resilience, and surround each scholar with a community of care.

Our rigorous recruitment process was grounded on five pillars: academic promise, financial vulnerability, leadership capacity, critical thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit. Applications were carefully reviewed, and selected girls were invited to a second phase that included structured interviews, home visits, and feedback from teachers and local leaders. This intentional screening process ensured that our selection was not only merit-based but also deeply contextualized within each girl’s reality.

The journey culminated in a joint orientation session that brought together scholars and their parents. Here, they were introduced to Akili Dada’s values, mentorship opportunities, and scholar expectations. Each girl received a welcome package which included self-love journals, handbooks, and hygiene kits. They were also individually connected with trained counsellors to support their emotional well-being throughout the scholarship journey.

By investing in this kind of wraparound support, we do not just help girls stay in school, we help them thrive. Each new scholar carries the hopes of her family and the potential to shift the trajectory of her community.

3. EmpowerIng Futures: ClosIng the UnIversIty ReadIness Gap

Across the year, Akili Dada placed intentional focus on ensuring our scholars’ transition from high school to the next phase of their lives was both strategic and supportive.

Through our career activation workshops, we engaged 414 final-year students across our partner schools.

These sessions prepared students for national exams, fostered mental wellness, and introduced them to varied career pathways.

In the previous years, we had observed a consistent trend where internal assessments painted a promising picture, whereas the KCSE outcomes told a different story often due to exam anxiety, lack of preparation resources, and external pressures. To address this, we deepened our partnership with the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS). Together, we demystified the post-secondary journey by offering personalized guidance on course selection, interpreting cluster points, navigating institutional requirements, and completing the university and TVET application process. Girls were equipped with practical knowledge, replacing confusion with clarity. They also received information on financial aid and scholarships to strengthen decision-making.

Understanding the stress girls face during the exams period, we also embedded mental health and wellness sessions led by professionals. These provided coping strategies and emotional grounding to help learners maintain focus and manage exam-related pressures.

National disruptions ranging from floods and a countrywide teachers’ strike to political unrest posed additional challenges. In ASAL regions, where school attendance was most affected, we mobilized mentors and teachers for one-on-one sessions and small group guidance. These hyper-local, adaptive efforts ensured girls stayed engaged and confident during the final stages of their high school journey.

4. EmpowerIng Futures: ClosIng the UnIversIty ReadIness Gap

In line with our commitment to support girls beyond the classroom, we hosted career activation boot camps in Kilifi, Turkana, Samburu, and Kwale. More than 90 young women participated in these four-day intensives, gaining essential tools to navigate higher education and economic independence. The boot camps featured modules on academic readiness, leadership, mental wellness, entrepreneurship, and digital tools. Girls learned to budget, access startup funds, build LinkedIn profiles, and apply for scholarships.

Importantly, these spaces also fostered emotional resilience and social advocacy.

Consistent feedback revealed that lack of access to financing remains a major barrier to higher education. In response, participants received hands-on guidance to apply for local and international scholarships. This turned awareness into action and hope into opportunity.

Our work made one truth clear: transitioning from high school to the future requires more than books. It requires mentorship, care, networks, and belief. In 2025, Akili Dada hopes to deepen alumni engagement, strengthen institutional partnerships, and continue walking with our girls as they take on their futures with courage.

5. The Power of Girls’ Well-BeIng

Guided by the theme, Well-being Matters! our girls leadership program placed adolescent girls’ mental, emotional, and physical well-being at the heart of every initiative. We recognized that to truly empower girls, we first had to prioritize their well-being. Together with girl allies, educators, the Akili Dada community, we implemented a holistic model grounded in girlcentred engagement and safeguarding practices that directly addressed the diverse and evolving needs of girls across Kenya’s ASAL counties and beyond.

In Kilifi, Kwale, Samburu, and Turkana Counties, 19 young women were equipped to serve as community advocates for girls' health and rights.

Their training covered child safeguarding, mental health, Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR), and girl-centred program design. Baseline assessments revealed critical gaps in practical safeguarding skills, while over half of the participants could define safeguarding, only a few had experience translating this knowledge into action. In response, they co-created innovative solutions including mobile SRHR clinics and youth-friendly safe spaces to bridge the information gap in their communities. Armed with resources such as our Self-Love Journal and Facilitator’s Guide on Adolescent Mental Health, these young women now lead localized advocacy grounded in the everyday realities of girls.

Our work with educators also took centre stage through a three-day Co-Creation Workshop that brought together 26 girl education experts from 11 counties to strengthen their capacity on girls leadership development and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention. These sessions addressed the deep-rooted realities of GBV in schools and communities, while introducing educators to tools and legal frameworks that support trauma-informed responses. The workshop also recognized the emotional weight educators carry in their roles. Group and individual counselling sessions gave them space to reflect and recharge, strengthening their resolve to mentor with empathy. By the end of the workshop, participants called for stronger school-based safeguarding policies, continued learning opportunities, and more intentional integration of girl-centred approaches in classrooms.

Our journey in 2024 culminated in the Girl Allies Roundtable, a powerful gathering of girlserving organizations from across the African continent. This convening provided a critical space for reflection, shared learning, and strategy building among peers committed to advancing girls’ rights and leadership. We co-created actionable strategies informed by participatory design, holistic support systems, and care-based activism that affirms girls not just as beneficiaries, but as experts and leaders in shaping their futures. Drawing from lived experience and practical implementation, these practitioner-informed insights are already informing our programming, partnerships, and advocacy efforts. As we look ahead, they will remain central to our collective mission to build a world where transformative, girl-led change is the norm.

6. CenterIng Girls’ VoIces It goes without saying that girls are the experts on their own lives. In 2024, Akili Dada’s commitment to amplifying girls’ voices remained unwavering. Through intentional platforms designed for expression, leadership, and advocacy, girls were given the space to speak up, organize, and lead. The cornerstone of these efforts was the 7th annual Wasichana Wa Afrika Summit, held under the theme “My Well-being Matters!”

This vibrant hybrid convening brought together 150 adolescent girls and their allies from 17 countries. Girl leaders facilitated panels, led fireside chats, performed plays, and steered strategy sessions that defined what well-being means to them. From envisioning inclusive, judgment-free communities to advocating for menstrual equity and arts-based expression, the summit powerfully affirmed girl agency.

Girls are undermined or discouraged in their communities and therefore we have to be resilient through selfcare, setting boundaries and standing up for oneself.

Carol

In my ideal community, there would be free access to essential amenities for girls, such as sanitary pads, counselling support would be available, the environment would be inclusive, free of judgement and would prioritize the safety and security of girls.

Mary

Across the three-day summit, the girls explored key domains of well-being including connectedness, voice, leadership, and support. They presented their ideas through press releases and creative performances such as storytelling, spoken word, and plays which were all co-created with peers and allies. These sessions emphasized the importance of joy, mental health, comprehensive support systems, and leadership representation.

Learning segments introduced mindfulness, digital detox, and self-expression practices, equipping girls with tools for emotional regulation and community-building. Peer-to-peer learning stood out at the summit with 32 Urithi Club members returning to their schools with new insights they are now using together their school leaders to institutionalize Wellness Days.

The summit also convened girl-serving organizations and allies for a side event that culminated in a public communiqué. They pledged to strengthen safe spaces, increase inclusive programming, and amplify girl-led advocacy across Africa. This partnership model of co-accountability underscores our vision that collective action powered by girls is essential to building resilient, equitable futures.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to creating accessible, inclusive, and girl-defined platforms. Girls lived realities are the foundation of the policies, programs, and movements that will transform our continent.

7. CatalyzIng FemInIst LeadershIp and OrganIzatIonal Power

At Akili Dada, we know that sustainable change begins with empowered young women and resilient youth-led organizations. In 2024, we continued to deepen our investment in building a pipeline of feminist leaders and strengthening the institutions they lead. Through our leadership development and organizational support programs, we unlocked the potential of young women-led community organizations to become transformative agents of change.

Our flagship Organizational Development and Systems Strengthening (ODSS) Institute brought together 20 young women leaders and their mentors from Samburu, Turkana, Kwale, and Kilifi Counties which are often overlooked in national development discourse. Over three days, the young women immersed themselves in intensive training sessions on strategic planning, resource mobilization, feminist leadership, and safeguarding. These convenings were more than capacity-building spaces, they were healing-centred communities where they could reflect and reimagine leadership on their own terms. By the end of the institute the young women returned to their communities with renewed confidence and concrete plans to strengthen their impact.

From Ad Hoc to being Strategic: A Journey of Growth for Mvera Kazungu, Executive Director, Fimbo CBO Before participating in the Stawisha ED training, our organization operated in a largely ad hoc manner, responding to immediate community needs without a clear structure or direction. The training was a turning point for us, providing the clarity and tools we needed to define our thematic areas and strengthen critical organizational documents. These included our mission, organizational structure, Human Resource Policy, Succession Plan, Communication Strategy, Resource Mobilization Policy, Constitution, and Risk Management Plan. This transformation significantly enhanced our capacity to deliver structured and impactful support to the community. The training also empowered us to secure an emergency response fund to address flooding, a vital need in our area.

On a personal level, the training opened doors for me to assume a new role as a Humanitarian Response and Recovery Inspirator with Action Aid Kenya. This one-year contract has given me the privilege of supporting young people, particularly young women, and girls, from marginalized communities.

The Stawisha project has been a catalyst for change, not only for our CBO but also for me as an individual. It stands as a testament to the power of intentional capacity-building efforts to create meaningful and lasting transformation.

TransformatIve TraInIng that Shaped Our Growth- ZzurI Kenya CBO

Participating in the training was a transformative experience that has profoundly shaped our organization’s growth and impact. Through this training, we gained invaluable knowledge in key areas such as policy development, structuring effective operational frameworks, and redefining our vision and mission. The collaborative efforts during the training helped us craft the vision and mission that we proudly uphold today—guiding principles that have positioned Zzuri Kenya on a path to sustainable success.

One of our most significant achievements from this training was securing grant funding. Zzuri Kenya received its first grant through The Girl Generation African-Led Movement in November last year as a small grantee. Today, we are thrilled to celebrate receiving the second tranche of funds and are on track to transitioning to a medium grantee. This success reflects our continuous improvement in the Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA) process.

The effect of the ODSS framework has been nothing short of remarkable. It equipped us with tools and guidance that have left an enduring imprint on our organization. We are living proof of the transformative power of this training, which has empowered us to create meaningful change within our communities. Thank you for believing in us and equipping us with the expertise to drive lasting change in the communities we serve. Together, we are building stronger, more empowered communities.

In nurturing these young feminist leaders and their institutions, we continue to plant seeds of resilience, innovation, and justice in communities that have long been under-resourced. These stories underscore our belief: when young women are trusted, resourced, and equipped, they do not just lead but they build movements that endure.

8. FuelIng Movements In 2024, Akili Dada amplified feminist movement-building efforts across Kenya and the region, addressing systemic injustice through grassroots organizing, collective advocacy, and transformative leadership. Through our Feminist Movement Building Workshops, we worked hand-in-hand with young women to challenge harmful norms, dismantle oppressive systems, and seed movements that center care, power, and solidarity.

Our Movement Building Workshops reached 200 young women across 7 Counties, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to survive shifting political landscapes, mobilize resources, and sustain impactful organizing. By analyzing the barriers,, they face from underfunding to restrictive cultural expectations, they co-created tailored strategies to keep their advocacy alive and effective.

One of the most compelling outcomes of these efforts was the rise of the We for She Movement, a collective of young women who first came together through our Transformative Leadership Institute in Mombasa. Initially connected by their passion to fight gender-based violence and promote Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), they quickly realized the power of organizing. Within weeks, they had mobilized over 200 girls and young women, launched awareness campaigns, and engaged the media and policymakers across Mombasa County.

Since its founding in late 2022, We for She has grown into a nationally recognized movement championing intersectional feminist organizing. Its members have appeared on national media, led Twitter spaces on femicide and domestic violence, and reached over 1,000 women and girls with gender equality, empowerment, and SRHR programming. Their leadership style is deliberately inclusive, amplifying the voices of rural and their advocacy is deeply rooted in lived experience. The movement’s exponential growth has attracted key funders with their impact extending to formal policy influence.

The journey of We for She, from a local group of passionate young women to a movement shaping national discourse and policy, exemplifies what becomes possible when grassroots feminist organizing is resourced and trusted.

As Akili Dada, we remain committed to seeding and sustaining movements that reimagine power, leadership, and justice from the ground up.

9. CultIvatIng Courageous FemInIst LeadershIp Young women across Kenya and East Africa are stepping into their power not by chance, but through intentional and transformative spaces that nurture bold, feminist leadership. In 2024, Akili Dada convened 8 intensive Transformative Feminist Leadership Institutes in Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Samburu, Kwale, and Kigali reaching 145 young women with the tools, knowledge, and sisterhood to lead change in their communities and beyond.

Each institute acted as a space for personal and political awakening with the sessions embodying reflection, critical consciousness, and collective action. The young women explored wide-ranging themes like identity and unconscious bias to feminist economics, project management, and movement building while confronting the intersecting systems that marginalize women and girls, including patriarchy, capitalism, colonial legacies, and institutional violence.

Many young women arrived carrying the weight of internalized oppression, the myth that “women are their own worst enemies,” the burden of family expectations, or shame linked to trauma or disability. The institutes disrupted those narratives. Sisterhood and shared experience created space for truth-telling, vulnerability, and healing leading to powerful shifts in self-perception and agency.

We came thinking we were alone.

We left knowing we are a movement.

The impact extended far beyond the training room with the young women returning to their Counties with new skills, confidence, and concrete plans for action:

Clare Lesharana from Samburu recognized, for the first time, the violence she had endured from childhood. Her awakening pushed her to leave an abusive relationship, begin her healing, and take part in county-level policy spaces as an advocate for survivors.

Linah Mlongo, trained in Kwale, was appointed a Gender-Based Violence Case Manager in her community following her participation in policy dialogues hosted by Akili Dada. She now directly supports survivors and engages with government response mechanisms.

Furaha Nyuki, leveraged their training and mentorship to step into public leadership.

Furaha was appointed Cabinet Secretary of the Kwale Youth Assembly and has since moderated forums with the Kenya Women Parliamentarian Association, shaping youth policy from within.

Abigael Ndizi, a survivor of sexual violence and founder of Dada Mkubwa, a nowregistered community-based organization offering psychosocial support, SRHR education, and healing spaces to over 200 girls in Kwale County.

These stories are just a glimpse of the transformation we have witnessed. From overcoming shame to launching organizations, influencing county policy, or mobilizing communities, the women who journey through our leadership institutes are not just learning they are leading.

We continue to reimagine what leadership looks like by investing in women at the margins and centering the lived realities they bring to work of justice.

LIvIng Our Values: NurturIng LeadershIp From WIthIn

BOARD LEADERSHIP 2024 marked a year of exciting transitions and strategic growth for Akili Dada. At the board level, we bid farewell to our outgoing Board Chair, Nerida, whose tenure has been marked by visionary leadership, steadfast support, and a deep commitment to our mission.

Subsequently we welcomed a dynamic cohort of new board members whose diverse perspectives, expertise, and passion are set to guide our next phase of growth.

Gloria Nyawira

Claire Mathonsi

Julie Mwabe

Sharon Adongo

We also take a moment to honor the memory of Claire Mathonsi, whose untimely passing, in early 2025, was a profound loss to our community. Though her time on our board was brief, Claire brought exceptional intellectual rigor, thoughtful perspectives, and a deep commitment to our mission. Her sharp analytical mind strengthened our governance, while her warmth and passion inspired all who worked alongside her. Claire’s legacy will live on through the contributions she made and the vision she helped shape.

Internal LEADERSHIP At the secretariat level, our dedication to nurturing talent from within continues to flourish.

We expanded our team with strategic new hires while creating pathways for growth through meaningful promotions of emerging leaders from within our ranks:

New Talent:

Corazon Achieng MERL Officer

Rising Leaders:

Diana Karugu Angaza Program Officer

Njambi Wagacha Business Development & Partnerships Officer

Esther Ndiritu Operations Officer

Nancy Mutola Washa Program Officer

These transformations reflect our unwavering commitment to our founding principle: creating pathways for African women's leadership development at every level of our organization. By investing in internal growth, championing shared leadership, and intentionally cultivating young talent, we're not just talking about women's leadership—we're modeling it through our organizational structure and practices.

Nina Wamboi Urithi Program Officer

FINANCIAL OUTLOOK In 2024, despite the challenges of a shrinking funding landscape in the nonprofit sector, Akili Dada continued to demonstrate financial accountability and strategic resource management thanks to the unwavering support of our friends and partners. Your commitment enabled us to maintain our programs and impact. Below is a summary of our financial performance:

RESOURCE MOBILIZATION: Total Resources Mobilized: $1,616,814, reflecting a 38.7% growth in our funding portfolio compared to the previous fiscal year.

Resource AllocatIon: Operational Expenses 18.4%

Investment in our people 2.5%

Institutional Strengthening 10.1%

Program Implementatio n 68.3%

1. Program Implementation: $850,790.64 2. Operational Expenses: $229,404 3. Institutional Strengthening: $125,489.18 4. Investment in our people: $31,658.35 5. Resource Mobilization Initiatives: $8,125.22

FInancIal AccountabIlIty We remain committed to financial transparency and accountability. Our financial statements are audited annually by RSM Eastern Africa LLP, an independent accounting firm.

We continue to strengthen our financial systems and practices to ensure maximum impact of every shilling invested in our work. In 2024, we implemented [specific financial management improvement], enhancing our ability to track program outcomes against expenditures.

FundIng Challenges and OpportunItIes In 2024, we faced formidable funding headwinds that tested our resilience. We contended with structural barriers that keep African women-led organizations distant from funding decisionmakers, competed against shifting donor priorities, and weathered the systemic devaluation of women's and girls' issues in global funding landscapes. Despite shrinking investment pools and the challenging transition from our traditional donor base to new funding partners, our unwavering commitment to our mission prevailed. Through strategic adaptation and innovative approaches, we not only sustained our core programming but crafted a robust, diversified fundraising strategy that has positioned us for unprecedented financial resilience in the years ahead.

As we look toward 2025 with renewed determination, we are implementing a bold financial vision centered on three pillars: cultivating diverse revenue streams that reflect the breadth of our impact, building sustainable funding mechanisms that honor our long-term commitments to communities, and deepening partnerships with visionary donors who recognize the transformative power of investing in African women's leadership. This approach isn't merely about organizational sustainability—it's about ensuring that the revolutionary work of our community continues to flourish even in uncertain economic times.

Donor RecognItIon In 2024, we faced formidable funding headwinds that tested our resilience. We contended with structural barriers that keep African women-led organizations distant from funding decisionmakers, competed against shifting donor priorities, and weathered the systemic devaluation of women's and girls' issues in global funding landscapes. Despite shrinking investment pools and the challenging transition from our traditional donor base to new funding partners, our unwavering commitment to our mission prevailed. Through strategic adaptation and innovative approaches, we not only sustained our core programming but crafted a robust, diversified fundraising strategy that has positioned us for unprecedented financial resilience in the years ahead.

As we look toward 2025 with renewed determination, we are implementing a bold financial vision centered on three pillars: cultivating diverse revenue streams that reflect the breadth of our impact, building sustainable funding mechanisms that honor our long-term commitments to communities, and deepening partnerships with visionary donors who recognize the transformative power of investing in African women's leadership. This approach isn't merely about organizational sustainability—it's about ensuring that the revolutionary work of our community continues to flourish even in uncertain economic times.

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