As the world marks International Women’s Day, the British Inter-Parliamentary Union is recognizing the efforts of non-binary human rights defender Rebecca Odhiambo and women’s rights advocates Doris Kathia and Alena Chekhovich. The three activists have been instrumental in championing feminist and LGBTQ+ rights in their respective countries, fighting against discrimination and pushing for social change.
Rebecca Odhiambo, Coordinator and Research Director of Women Empower and Mentor All (WEmpower), emphasized the importance of intersectional approaches in advocacy.
“The E4UBU study highlights the need for community-led strategies, backed by appropriate resources at multiple socio-economic levels, to drive both individual and collective transformation. Empowerment is a process,” said Odhiambo.
Currently attending the Scottish Human Rights Defender Fellowship, Odhiambo has been lauded for her leadership in running a feminist LGBTQ+ organization in Kisumu, Kenya. Her work focuses on promoting mental health, economic empowerment, community building, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ persons.
Doris Kathia, founder and Executive Director of Raise Your Voice, has dedicated her efforts to empowering adolescent and young women, particularly sex workers, young mothers, gender minorities, and young people living with HIV. Meanwhile, Belarusian activist and lawyer Alena Chekhvich has been at the forefront of implementing alternatives to immigration detention through the Human Constanta organization.
The Scottish Human Rights Defender Fellowship has amplified their advocacy, facilitating meetings with parliamentary and civil society allies. The initiative aims to raise public awareness, mobilize support, and urge governments and funding bodies to take tangible steps in supporting feminist and queer-led movements.
In Kenya, gender-based violence and discrimination remain pressing issues, disproportionately affecting women and girls. Poverty and systemic inequities continue to fuel these challenges, despite ongoing efforts from human rights defenders and government interventions.
As these activists push for change, the call for global solidarity grows stronger—demanding meaningful action in the fight for gender equality and human rights.
