By Basma Ourfali and Mary Kamau (OCHA)

They operate in difficult environments with limited resources, but women-led organizations in Africa are still responding to crises, challenging cultural norms and creating lasting change.

This International Women’s Day, themed ‘For all women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,’ we recognize women humanitarian leaders who are empowering their communities, advocating for gender equality and being inspiring role models for change.

Duaa Tariq, Sudan

“I decided to stay in Sudan because I believe I have the same right as anyone else to fight for this country – not with violence but through peaceful resistance,” said Duaa Tariq.

When conflict erupted in Sudan in 2023, Duaa remained in Khartoum. A mother, humanitarian and activist, she chose to stay to support those left behind, even as her family fled.

Through the Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs) – made up of community-based aid groups – Duaa helps support and deliver humanitarian aid to people affected by the conflict. Her efforts contributed to the establishment of more than 80 women cooperatives across Khartoum.

Women cooperatives are common in Sudan. They enable many Sudanese women to support one another financially or through resources. Each cooperative brings together 15 to 20 women who provide financial, psychosocial and counselling services to those in need. At a time when international humanitarian organizations struggle to reach people in need, these community-led efforts are a vital lifeline for millions of people.

Daisry, Munukayumbwa and Serley, Namibia

In Namibia, women leaders are breaking barriers and empowering others through community-driven initiatives.

Daisry, founder and Executive Director of OYAYONE Foundation, is dedicated to empowering disadvantaged women, including single mothers. The foundation supports agricultural programmes, particularly in sisal farming, to help women become more financially independent.

Munukayumbwa Mwiya

Munukayumbwa is eager to shift norms around gender roles, such as women’s rights to education and equal participation. She co-founded the Zambezi Girl Child Foundation to combat poverty, keep girls in school and prevent teenage pregnancies in Namibia's capital, Windhoek. Since 2018, the foundation has supported 3,500 women and girls.

Serley Eises

Serley Eises leads the Lidar Community Foundation in Katutura Central, Windhoek, to support women in crisis. Working with vulnerable women – many of whom experienced gender-based violence and extreme poverty – is not easy. 

Serley explained: “It can be heartbreaking to hear their stories, but I remind myself that every small step forward makes a difference.”

Since 2017, Lidar has provided entrepreneurial support and vocational training in business and workforce skills to help young mothers – many of whom left school due to pregnancy – become financially independent and start their own businesses.

Njeri wa Migwi, Kenya

“Growing up, I visited children’s homes and homes for older people with my father, and those experiences opened my eyes to the inequalities around me. I knew I had to do something to make a difference,” said Njeri wa Migwi. 

Njeri’s journey into humanitarian work was deeply influenced by her father, a single parent who taught her the values of compassion and community service.

Today, Njeri leads Usikimye, an organization that is now a lifeline for women and children in Soweto, an informal settlement in Kenya. Usikimye supports survivors of gender-based violence and advocates for the rights of women and children. 

Njeri explained: “Women bear the brunt of poverty in our community. Limited access to employment opportunities leaves many unable to provide for themselves and their families, which exacerbates food insecurity and vulnerability to domestic violence.”

Usikimye’s activities include a school-feeding programme that provides daily meals to 500 children; an informal banking initiative, INUA MAMA, that empowers women to save and access credit; and comprehensive support for gender-based violence survivors, including safe housing, medical care and psychosocial counselling.

Relebohile Mabote, Lesotho

In Lesotho, where high levels of poverty and HIV disproportionately affect women and children, Relebohile Mabote, the Director for Caritas Lesotho, is making a difference.

In Lesotho, where high levels of poverty and HIV disproportionately affect women and children, Relebohile Mabote, the Director for Caritas Lesotho, is making a difference.
Since starting her role in 2011, Relebohile has focused on empowering communities in hard-to-reach areas, focusing on agricultural production and community-based finance, and raising awareness of health services, including HIV prevention and treatment.

“Seeing someone’s life change for the better is what makes this work so rewarding,” she said.

Kiiko Suzan, South Sudan

Women and girls in South Sudan face numerous challenges, including gender-based violence, early marriage, limited access to education, and healthcare and cultural norms that restrict their participation in decision-making and access to resources, such as land and employment. 

Some tribes marry off widows and girls in exchange for money or livestock, and they still disinherit women and deny them certain foods, such as chicken. But these barriers motivate rather than deter some women.

One of those women is Kiiko Suzan. She explained: “The cultural beliefs that prevent girls and women from being treated equally by men inspired me to pursue my education and eventually join the humanitarian sector to make a real impact.”

Kiiko founded the non-governmental organization Action Girls Africa (AGA) in 2017 to empower women and girls. Since then, AGA has reached more than 10,000 people, providing vocational training and business skills, and advocating for gender equality. 

“The happiest part of my job is when I see many jobless women start businesses and achieve stable incomes,” said Kiiko. 

Theresa Kachindamoto, Malawi

Theresa Kachindamoto is at the forefront of advocating for women and girls in Malawi. As the Senior Chief of Dedza District, she oversees 25 villages. Theresa, the first woman chief in her area, took a stand against child marriage, ensuring that girls had the opportunity to return to school and build a better future.

“Each time I visited my village, I was deeply concerned to see many young girls being given away in marriage,” said Theresa. “This troubled me so much, and I knew I had to do something to change the situation."

Despite their progress, these brave women still face challenges, including conflict, societal backlash, emotional toll, maintaining a work-life balance, resistance from local communities, scarce skilled personnel, and limited funding, resources and partnerships. But they persist, creating safe spaces, and providing essential tools and opportunities for people in need, all with support from Governments and partners, such as the UN Population Fund. 

This year, more than 84.5 million people need humanitarian assistance in Eastern and Southern Africa – a 14 per cent increase from 2024. Climate change, conflict, political instability, diseases and economic shocks are the main drivers of humanitarian needs. Women and girls are among the most vulnerable, facing hunger, gender-based violence, rape, displacement, disrupted education and lost income.

It's vital to continue investing in women and girls, as they are best positioned to identify and address local issues.