Nairobi: Gender, Culture, and Children Services Cabinet Secretary Hanna Wendot Cheptumo has called on the youth to shed a spotlight on gender equality issues. She urged them to use art, film, dance, and other creative forms to engage and capture a wide audience. Speaking during the Awards Ceremony for the Canvas of Change: An Exhibition to Celebrate Women’s and Girls’ Rights art competition, the CS said, “Over the past year, we have intensified efforts to strengthen the national protection system and improve community reporting mechanisms.”
According to Kenya News Agency, the awards ceremony marked the end of the Kenya-Italy Activate Nairobi Campaign, a series of artistic weeklong events committed to using creativity to amplify conversations on gender equality and the rising threat of digital violence against women and girls. The campaign, an initiative of the Embassy of Italy in Kenya, the Italian Cultural Institute (IIC), and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), was held in solidarity with the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Ms. Antonia Sodonon of UN Women reiterated, “Here in Kenya, 34 per cent of women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, and 30 per cent have faced sexual violence. Yet nearly 40 per cent of survivors never receive any form of help. Gender-based violence costs Kenya an estimated Sh46 billion every year. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent lives interrupted, futures stolen, and communities held back.”
At Unseen Nairobi, refugee youth from Kakuma Refugee Camp presented Voices Without Borders, a documentary screening featuring films co-created with The Kamp in partnership with Historia Sin Kil³metros. One film told the true story of a young woman whose identity was stolen and weaponised online, reflecting the growing risks of digital GBV. A post-screening panel brought together filmmakers, refugee youth, and development partners to discuss storytelling as a tool for shifting perceptions and elevating displaced girls’ voices.
The campaign started at the Kenya National Library with the Canvas of Change exhibition and awards, celebrating young Kenyan artists addressing women’s rights through visual art. Winners Emmanuel Odhiambo, Mijide Kemoli, and Mika Obanda were recognised for work confronting themes of abuse, online misogyny, and advocating dignity for marginalised women.
At the Sarakasi Dome, the campaign partnered with the Taa Arts Organisation to stage Dancing Words, a fusion of contemporary dance and curated literary readings exploring empowerment, gender identity, and GBV. Closing the series, award-winning actress Wakio Mzenge delivered a powerful solo reading of Elements-written by John Sibi-Okumu-at the Macmillan Memorial Library, unpacking trauma, resilience, and healing. An audience discussion followed, highlighting the importance of safe spaces for survivors’ stories.
“This exhibition is one of several activities leading up to International Women’s Day and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Through platforms like this, we aim to celebrate creativity, highlight women’s voices, and inspire action that supports equality and inclusion,” remarked Ms. Lorenza Gambacorta, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Italy in Kenya.