Kenya
Women empowerment
Hijri Unknown-Present (AH); Common Era Unknown-Present (CE)
Fatuma Kinsi Abass is the Executive Director of Pastoralist Girls Initiative (PGI), a non-governmental organization based in Garissa, Northeastern Province, Kenya that is dedicated to improving the overall welfare of the rural community by developing and implementing participatory sustainable programs that are demand driven and responsive. In this capacity, Ms. Abass supports girls and women to build confidence and raise self-esteem, empowers communities to participate fully in the decision-making processes, and facilitates community-based projects. These projects are carried out in partnership with various stakeholders in the community through Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRA) and other tools. At PGI, she leads a profession team in the realization of indigenous Somali women’s development and participation in decision-making process and economic empowerment. Ms. Abass also chairs and participates in various national and local committees to advocate for and contribute to the welfare and empowerment of women and children. She has participated in international and national conferences sponsored by the international community that have recognized, appreciated, and acknowledged her work in community advocacy and empowerment for the underprivileged. Born and raised in Garissa, Ms. Abass has largely worked with her local community since an early age. From a girls youth representative, she committed her life to working for the wellness and economic and social empowerment of the women of her community. Her dream is to see rural women and children empowered to their full potential and participate in modern governance at all levels of development. Believing that indigenous women should have a voice in decision-making from the lowest to the upper structures of the community, Ms. Abass builds, encourages, and advocates for the women and children in her community.
