Wangu Kanja has been nominated by Defenders Coalition for Human Rights Defender of the Year, in honour of her commitment to ending gender-based and sexual violence.
As the Founder and Executive Director of the Wangu Kanja Foundation, she has built a powerful survivor-centred movement. Through her work, more than 12,000 survivors have received legal, medical, psychosocial, and livelihood support, restoring dignity and access to justice for victims of gender-based violence.
“This nomination is a powerful reminder that the voices of survivors matter. It strengthens my commitment to continue working towards a society where every woman and girl can live free from violence, with dignity and justice,” Wangu Kanja said.
Her impact extends beyond support services. In 2019, her organisation pioneered the use of DNA Evidence Kits in low-resource settings, distributing over 1,200 kits to health facilities across Kenya to strengthen forensic evidence collection and improve conviction rates. She has also led high-impact advocacy efforts, including supporting survivors in landmark legal cases that resulted in justice and compensation for victims.
Wangu Kanja is also the founder and convenor of the Coalition against Sexual Violence, bringing together multiple organisations to strengthen collective action against sexual violence. Additionally, she established the Sexual Survivors Network, the only survivor-led network of its kind in Kenya—amplifying the voices of those most affected.
Her work spans grassroots advocacy, policy engagement, and global research collaborations, including partnerships focused on advancing forensic science and improving access to justice in conflict and low-resource environments.
Despite facing significant challenges—including limited funding, misinformation campaigns, and personal security risks—Wangu remains steadfast in her mission to create safer, more just communities for women and girls.
Her nomination is a powerful recognition of her resilience, leadership, and lifelong dedication to human rights.
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