We are constantly inspired by women who live to inspire and uplift others. Adelle Onyango, Founder of The Adelle Onyango Initiative (AOI), is a force to reckon. The media personality has put in the work despite being faced with challenges along the way.
This has seen her get recognition in different spheres. She was named as one of OkayAfrica’s 100 extraordinary African women for 2018 and BBC’s 100 inspirational and innovative women in the world for 2017. Adelle has also served on the Youth Advisory Board for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s second annual Goalkeeper’s conference. When it comes to life and career, we want to be able do it all, which is challenging. But Adelle has somehow figured that out and is winning at it.
Adelle’s sentiments echo this year’s International Women’s Day theme “Think equal, Build smart, Innovate for change.” She shared with us the experiences, challenges and achievements she has faced in her personal and professional life.
How are you celebrating Women’s day this year?
This year, I’ll be hosting an amazing event at Google, called Women Will, that aims to inspire women and get them ready for the next step in their careers. We’ll be talking about leadership, digital skills, and entrepreneurship. I’ll also get to interview Muthoni Drummer Queen about a Women Will documentary that will premier at the event.
What challenges have you faced, as a woman, in becoming successful in your field?
There are some subtle, and some not so subtle pressures in my industry to change who you are. It requires a lot of mental strength, but I have overcome this pressure by remaining true to myself.
Another challenge is that there are not a lot of female decision makers in our industry. Representation matters. And having more women in decision making roles is crucial to achieving gender equity and empowering women and girls.
The Adelle Onyango Initiative (AOI) is an advocacy organization that’s shedding light on issues facing vulnerable populations, one of them being women. What kind of solutions have you created and what’s the impact so far?
The Adelle Onyango Initiative (AOI) is using the power of storytelling to amplify gender equity champions. For example, I visited Kakamega where, through an organization called GROOTS Kenya, I got to meet a watchdog group that is made up of both women and men who work tirelessly on many gender equity issues such as making sure girls stay in school; pursuing justice for survivors of gender-based violence; and fighting for the rights of women who have been disinherited.
Through storytelling, AOI can educate the public about people and organizations that are working towards gender equity, and show just how much we can achieve in our communities when we come together with our own solutions.
What would you say needs to be done to make this world a fairer and more equal place?
I think we all need to work together because equality is not a fight to take power away from one and give it to another. It’s to create equal opportunity and in doing so, elevating entire ecosystems.
With regard to gender-based violence, we need to examine the role that men and boys play in ensuring a more gender equal society. We need to have more honest conversations with our sons because our daughters are not the problem. If our sons know what's right, we can live in society as equals and make greater strides towards ending gender-based violence.
Who’s your ideal female icon?
Phoebe Asiyo! For over four decades, she has consistently advocated for more female representation in leadership roles and for girls to gain access to education. She’s one of the longest serving female parliamentarians, first woman to become a Luo elder, and one of the first female prison wardens.
Share with us stories on who or how you are celebrating The International Women's Day.