CHRISTINE RASHID

Christine is a Kenyan youth who graduated from the Technical University of Mombasa in Kenya with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. She currently works at the Strategic Community Development Organisation in Mombasa Kenya as the team leader. Christine has also been a key player in the development of Mombasa's adolescent and youth policy strategy on matters around sexual reproductive health and rights.

“It might be tough but with determination, you are bound to succeed”

Q: Tell us a few things about you! Your background, your childhood and early beginnings! 

I am a 26 year old woman born and raised in the coastal area of Kenya and currently living in Kenya working for a strategic community development organisation as the team leader. I grew up with support from Compassion International and thus my passion for making the world a better place. Growing up in the slums and in a male dominated area has not been so easy as a child with different kinds of violence perpetrated against women, children and youth gave me a thirst for working for the community to strive for change.

Q: What are some of the key challenges in your society currently?

Negative gender norms still have a long way to go in my community. Ignorance, illiteracy, poor government policies, lack of resources, lack of goodwill from politicians and influencers in the community, and lack of jobs makes lives miserable among community members.

Q: Share with us some of the hurdles that you had to overcome in your life so far? How did you handle them? 

Fighting for my spot as a young woman with men, I had to overcome this by standing up for what is right and working with like minded-people and volunteering organisations to expand my advocacy skills, and working closely with local community leaders to help them see the importance of respecting young people and women’s rights and also mentoring my peers. My mother has also been supportive in my journey by making sure I went to school and supporting me in what I do especially community initiatives. I have also had to work closely with local community leaders and establish networks and partnerships.

Lack of financial support is also a main hurdle with the current economic situation in our country but I am overcoming this by utilising local resources and partnerships and networks.

Q: Why is the role of a mentor important for you? 

My mentor has played a bigger role in my life since joining the programme and the role is important since I have come to understand that it is not always about doing bigger things or big ideas but starting small with what you have and expanding your personal skills. The mentorship helps me widen and discover things and ideas I have never thought of and also the guidance and counselling offered, which has helped me grow as an individual.

Q: Do you have a lesson that life has taught you and you would like to share? 

No matter what obstacles you are going through do not lose your focus. It might be tough but with determination you are bound to succeed. I have also learnt that it is good to have a support system, be it a friend or a mentor whom you can confide in and who will help you grow. I have also learnt that it is always the small things and ideas that matter and never limit yourself.

Q: Name a project, a foundation or a person in your country that you think is doing great work in helping improve other people's lives! 

Wezesha Dada Foundation which aims to support, promote and empower African women and children who have been affected or likely to be affected by issues of conflict, violence and poverty.

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in your country face and what efforts are being made towards gender equality?

Violence against women and gender impartiality. The government is trying to come up with policies that tackle GBV and gender equality like the 2/3 gender role in parliament. CSOs and local partners are also working on advocacy and empowerment for women to reduce GBV and involving men in the fight for gender.

Q: Share with us a motto you live by. 

I am not a limited edition and each day that comes is a day to become a better version of myself.

Q: If you had all the money needed to launch the project of your dreams, can you describe what you would do? 

I would build a youth ICT hub that will bring together young people and have them develop ideas or any developments in alignment with achieving the SDGs, I would also build a rescue centre for workmen and children who have gone through violence and develop a leadership hub for women and young people to learn from.

Q: Anything else that you may wish to add? 

GTF has been an eye opener for me and would recommend it to other people.