Akinyi Juma, Kenya

Akinyi Juma is the current Mrs. Universe Kenya 2024 and the founder of Rebirth of a Queen, a community-based organization with a mission to empower and include survivors of sexual & gender-based violence and human trafficking to become economically empowered. 

In this episode, Akinyi discusses how her own experiences as a survivor of sexual violence and domestic violence motivated her to launch Rebirth of a Queen five years ago and to give survivors a safe space and a home… the importance of ensuring that survivors are included in programming and decision-making, and that they are supported to become financially independent… how helping others heal has also helped her heal from her own trauma… the launch of a full economic empowerment program… recent attacks on the shelter and the process of identifying a new location for the shelter, in a safer community, and involving the community, community elders, local police, and other stakeholders… her daily prayer that she never lose her kindness and never stop being a safe space… the hopes and dreams of the young women she supports… her belief that this is divine work that she was called to do… her selection as Mrs. Universe Kenya 2024… the importance of reminding women that their voices are powerful, and of continuing to tell our own stories and embracing their power.  (Kenya)