I Am Generation Equality: Immaculate Amoit Story

I am Generation Equality because…

I believe in a world where every girl has the power to make choices about her body and her future , free from discrimination or limitation. My name is Immaculate Amoit, founder and director of WETEC Kenya, a community-based organization based in rural Teso, Busia County. As a community health and gender specialist, my work focuses on economically empowering girls and creating safe spaces for them to access essential vital information about sexual and reproductive health rights. At the heart of my activism is a belief that every girl has the right to shape her own future.

Activism and Impact
My activism is centered around a program called Miduara Yetu, also known as “Our Circles” in our local dialect. These Circles are much more than gatherings; they are spaces of hope and strength. In these circles, girls share stories of how they resist discrimination and fighting for their rights. The Circles provides a safe space for girls to come together and share experiences about reproductive health, accessibility of contraceptives, and harmful practices such as child marriage, teenage pregnancies, HIV, and gender-based violence (GBV).

Through the Generation Equality framework, WETEC Kenya has made significant commitments, particularly in sexual and reproductive health and rights and in addressing GBV. But our work goes beyond providing information. Within these spaces, we foster a sense of community and support girls in building a sense of community and belonging. We encourage them to share their struggles, self-care practices that work for them, and how they are resisting harmful practices. Together, we also explore ways to prevent teenage pregnancies and protect their futures from HIV.

One of the very tangible results of our efforts is that through Miduara Yetu, girls have reported increased confidence in making informed decisions about their health and futures. We are not only addressing their immediate needs but also cultivating the next generation of leaders - young women who will stand up for themselves and their communities.

Personal Growth towards Generation Equality
Generation Equality has been a transformation platform for me. It has connected me to networks that have allowed me to leverage my skills as a policy development expert, opening doors to new opportunities. For example, I contributed, as part of the technical team, to the development of the Busia County youth Policy, which is still under review, and the successful creation of a sexual and gender-based violence policy that has been enacted.  This GBV policy is important, as it ensures funding for shelters and support for survivors, while addressing the intersections between GBV, HIV, and teen pregnancy.

These discussions have expanded my knowledge of advocacy at the local and international level. Thanks to the UN Women-Pepfar mentorship program, I had the opportunity to attend high-level meetings and share unique experiences of Kenyan women. I have been a panelist in Dar Es Salaam, where I spoke on adolescent and young women’s leadership in HIV response and being part of the team that developed the National Framework to end the Triple Threat(HIV, Teenage Pregnancy and SGBV) . These opportunities have enriched my knowledge and empowered me to amplify the voices of young women I represent.

Empowering the Movement

For those willing to support our work, it is crucial to understand that resources matter. Young feminist movements like WETEC Kenya need flexible and unrestricted funding for the implementation of their programs. We are advocating for more inclusive funding opportunities, allowing grassroots organizations like ours to respond to the needs of the communities we serve and to continue empowering girls and fighting for equality.

Equally important to our work is intergenerational mentorship. Young women benefit greatly from mentors who understand the complexities of navigating activism, while respecting the wisdom of those who have come before them. This exchange of knowledge and experience fosters innovation and mutual growth. Mentorship programs , with clear goals for both mentors and mentees, are vital to nurturing the next generation of activists. My journey towards Generation Equality has been deeply personal, yet it is one that reflects the collective power we all share. For me, this movement is about contributing towards a better future for girls and young women in my community. The right to live in a gender-equal world is about making free choices about our bodies, education, and careers without any forms of discrimination. Generation Equality is not something where one person leads; it’s a collective movement that calls on all of us to stand together and create a world where every girl can thrive.

Quote: "Generation Equality is not a dream; it's a movement, and it's a call to action that requires all of us, collectively, to make sure every girl can make choices about her life and her future." Immaculate Amoit