About the Hub
Protecting the women who protect us all
The Women Human Rights Defenders Hub, known simply as the Hub, brings together defenders and their organisations across Kenya. We invest in their safety, wellbeing, livelihoods, and femtorship so the movement grows stronger together.
Our vision
An empowered, just, and equitable society where women human rights defenders thrive to their full potential.
Our mission
We amplify and enhance holistic protection programs that invest in femtorship and economic empowerment of networks of women human rights defenders.
Our impact
The difference we are making together
Across Kenya and beyond, the Hub protects, heals, and nurtures the women who defend everyone else's rights.
9
County networks
Grassroots defender networks connected across the country
6
Pillars of protection
Safety, wellbeing, livelihoods, femtorship, movement, institutions
3
Countries convened
Protection networks strengthened across Kenya, Uganda & Tanzania
1
Shared movement
One platform uniting defenders, CBOs, and the national office
Safety & security
Multi-day safety and security trainings equip defenders to assess risk and respond to threats online and offline.
Femtorship
Defenders are matched with femtors, growing the next generation of women leaders and activists.
Solidarity in crisis
When defenders face threats, the network responds together with protection, wellbeing, and legal support.
Our approach
How we work
Our work rests on six pillars that wrap around the whole defender.
Safety and Security
Actions that keep women defenders safe, through a gender-sensitive approach.
Wellbeing
Making sure women defenders stay grounded, emotionally and physically.
Livelihoods
Backing investments in startups by women defenders so they can sustain themselves and their work.
Femtorship
Growing the next generation of women defenders and activists, defender to defender.
Movement and Partnership
Building strong networks nationally, regionally, and across the continent to respond to the anti-rights movement.
Institution Building
Strong governance, clear systems, and sustainable funding that position the Hub for the long term.
Leadership
The people behind the Hub
A board and team who bring decades of experience in human rights, media, law, and grassroots organising.
Salome Nduta
Executive Director & Founder
Founder of the Kenya Hub and recipient of the inaugural Scottish Bar International Human Rights Award. With a background in social work and gender and development studies, Salome also serves on the boards of HAKI and PEMA Kenya and sits on the committee of the Global Gas and Oil Network.
Yvonne Owino Omari
Board Chairperson
An advocate of the High Court of Kenya with over a decade advancing human rights and social justice. Yvonne has campaigned for marginalised and at-risk communities, from survivors of the 2007/8 post-election violence to women and gender minorities, and is pursuing a Master's in Human Rights at the University of Nairobi.
Carolyne Tunnen
Board Member
A communications and advocacy professional with over ten years in journalism, media, and research. Carolyne uses strategy and partnerships to push institutional and policy reform, holds a Master's in International Relations, and is Communications Manager at the Mawazo Institute.
Julia Majale
Board Member
Managing Director at Tuko Media, Kenya's leading digital media house, and a multi-skilled journalist and editor with over a decade of experience. A Women in News Leadership alumna and SOMA Top 25 Women in Digital honouree, she holds an Executive Master's in Media Leadership & Innovation from Aga Khan University.
Fridah Githuku
Board Member
Head of the Women Rights Programme at the IMS Foundation and former Executive Director of GROOTS Kenya. Fridah has spent years organising grassroots women and girls to claim their rights, from political representation to freedom from violence, and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Eunice Chepkemoi
Board Member
Gender Officer at the Ogiek Peoples' Development Program, with over a decade working with Indigenous peoples on gender, land rights, climate justice, and cultural preservation. Eunice is active in the Indigenous Women Council and the East Africa Indigenous Women Assembly, championing Indigenous women's leadership.
Our team
Staff
The team keeping the Hub running, pillar by pillar.
Diana Letion
Safety and Security
Firdaus Hussein
Femtorship Support
Ruth Kinuthia
Livelihoods Support
Dorcas Phelesia
Finance and Admin
Sidney Mwaura
Admin Assistant
Our partners
Who we work with
The funders, networks, and allies who stand with women human rights defenders across Kenya and the region.
“Many women human rights defenders are active at the start of a crisis, before it becomes a conflict, helping people to reach safety or to find what they need to stay alive. They are present throughout the darkest days, holding communities together.”
Mary Lawlor
UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders
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