Naisola Likimani, a Kenyan activist, has been appointed to lead SheDecides, a global organization that fights for the rights of girls and women.
The movement was launched at the start of 2017 as a reaction to the Global Gag Rule, an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump on January 23, 2017.
The order prohibited nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) who received U.S. global health assistance from providing legal abortion services or referrals, while also barring advocacy for abortion law reform that supports safe abortion services.
Likimani has been tasked with building a new team, to support the movement to keep on growing from strength to strength and starts the job just before global SheDecides Day, on March 2, 2019.
Speaking on her appointment, she stated that she was thrilled to be taking on the lead role of the SheDecides support unit.
“Ms Likimani will now build a dynamic new team, based in the UK to support the global SheDecides movement as it enters its third year,” SheDecides executive Olivia Crawford announced.
The organization chairperson Tikhala Itaye stated that Ms Likimani impressed the panel with her passionate activism and deep experience in supporting a wide range of feminist movements.
“She brings vibrant energy to kick start this new phase of the global movement and we are all excited to work with her. I am delighted to welcome her to lead the support team as we move into a new and exciting stage of development,” she added.
Naisola has worked in civil societies, government and in diverse coalitions at different levels, strengthening social movements that promote equality, inclusion and accountability.
In her most recent role, she oversaw strategic partnerships with the civil society at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kenya. She is also an international policy and development expert.
SheDecides operates in 183 countries, with over 120,000 individuals and organisations having signed up as friends.
