Clinton to honour Kenyan ‘woman of courage’ for war on social injustice

As we celebrate the International Women’s Day on Monday, we should applaud a mother, human rights activist, advocate, politician and civil society leader for the national and international recognition she has won.

Kenya is finally honouring Ms Ann Njogu and its other heroines.

Prophetesses are now being glorified by their own people and countries. Foreign awards simply confirm that we have made the right decision in appreciating our own’s leadership, humanity, integrity, courage, sacrifice and patriotism.

Such acknowledgement and praise are outstanding when they are given by the public rather than the state. Ms Njogu is well known and respected in Kenya as a co-founder of a leading women’s rights organisation — the Centre for Rights, Education and Awareness (CREAW).

A passionate advocate of social justice, she has been involved in high-profile national and international interventions aimed at bringing about progressive change in Kenya.

A STRONG AND VERY COURAGEOUS WOM-an, she refuses to be intimidated even though she has been brutalised by the State violence machinery.

The woman is one of the very few civil society leaders who subscribe to the argument that running for political office is an important decision.

She has proved that agitation, pressure and activism by the civil society without the commitment to the capture of State power only yields token concessions.

Most civil society leaders have become captives of the principle of non-partisanship, which shuns seeking political office and making fundamental changes in the country.

Invariably, politicians hardly ever take such civil society leaders seriously. Indeed, such leaders are considered foreign interests’ mouthpieces that want minimal mitigation of the status quo in Kenya.

Ms Njogu is one of the women profiled in a forthcoming exclusive coffee-table publication. The book glorifies Kenyan women for their roles in various fields, that bring about change at every level in the Kenyan society.

This initiative is a creation that will recognise outstanding women who are great leaders in their various spheres of operation.

The project is also timely as the country continues its hunt for alternative political leaders. Her inclusion in the book identifies a woman that deserves this honour.

She is this year’s winner of the International Women of Courage award. Says a letter she received from US ambassador in Nairobi Michael E. Ranneberger:

“It is with great pleasure that I am officially notifying you that the secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, has selected you to receive an International Women of Courage award.

“This award is aimed at honouring women, like you, who have undertaken extraordinary steps and overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in the pursuit of equality, opportunity and justice.”

She will receive the award from Mrs Clinton at a ceremony in Washington DC. She will also participate in a high-profile programme of events in marking the International Women’s Day. The International Women of Courage award has recognised 24 remarkable women from various parts of the world since its inception in 2007.

It must be for Ms Njogu’s qualities that she was picked for the Ashoka Fellowship last year. The Ashoka foundation, founded by Bill Drayton in 1980, “believes that social entrepreneurs create innovative solutions, deliver extraordinary results and improve the lives of millions of people. Working with its global network of fellows, business entrepreneurs, policy makers, investors, academics and journalists, Ashoka seeks to ensure social entrepreneurs and their innovations continue to inspire a new generation of local change-makers to create positive social change.”

MS NJOGU HAS, THEREFORE, JOINED A fellowship that reflects her vision and values of progressive change.

An award glorifies not only the person who receives it, but also the work of the movements and groups to which he or she belongs. Awards encourage movements and their leaders to work harder in achieving progressive change for their countries.

They also bring about national, regional and global solidarity among people committed to fundamental changes in the world. Such acknowledgements also give the awardees necessary personal security and safety.

Ms Njogu’s award has touched off great celebrations in Kenya by women’s and other movements for progressive change.

Congratulations, Ms Njogu, for this national and international recognition and appreciation!

Your achievements will also help to consolidate the gains women have made in Kenya over the decades in their quest for gender equality and justice.

cabralpinto2009@gmail.com