IWD24 interview: Jessica Laura, Kenya

Jessica Laura

Program Manager, KIASWA, Kenya

Jessica Laura (they/them) is Coordinator, Researcher, Writer, and Technical Advisor at Kiambu Sex Workers Advocacy Group (KIASWA) in Kenya.

Passionate about the growth and development of trans people, especially in Africa, Jessica has been involved in leading trans and sex workers advocacy efforts, mainly around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), for over four years.

Jessica’s work at KIASWA aims to build member organizations’ ability to meet the social, cultural, economic and health needs of marginalized communities across Kenya. They envision a society in which trans people can access services without stigma or discrimination and are free from cultural and social homophobia. Jessica’s work aims to inspire and equip the trans community and its allies in fighting discrimination and to build power and personal agency that encourages trans people to take their place to push forward progressive change as equals, and to build bridges with all who struggle for justice and dignity in their lives.

They hold a B.ED (Arts) from Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya and a Masters Degree in Project Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, and certificates from IAVI and YALI among others.

Learn more about KIASWA, Kenya here.

What does feminism mean to you in 2024?

“Feminism in this era is about advocating for the autonomy of womn, supporting womn equality and defending womn’s spaces.

Feminism also involves supporting gender justice, funding womn and girls’ empowerment and providing spaces to enhance womn and girls’ rights.”

If you could raise more awareness about a humanitarian issue or context what would it be and what do you want people to know?

“Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are all facing trying moments due to the family protection bills. The bills are aimed at conserving the traditional family institution and they greatly affect the LGBTIQ+ population, sex workers, and single womn. The bills are in support of marriage between heterosexuals and criminalize same-sex relationships and sex work. This has affected service delivery points that are being targeted by government agencies as drivers and supporters of LGBTIQ+ and sex workers. This has affected funding and many restrictions from donors.”

What do you think is currently the biggest obstacle to achieving gender justice?

“There are several obstacles to achieving gender justice. These include:

a) Retrogressive cultural and societal norms. In many communities, womn are expected to be men’s subjects. Empowering womn means having strong womn, and this is a taboo. Many policies, laws and legal frameworks are developed according to regressive societal norms.

b) Limited funding towards supporting gender justice. Most of the multinationals and bilateral funders do not fund gender justice, and when they do, the funding is very limited and restricted to an extent that no impact is met.”

What does being a member of the Feminist Humanitarian Network mean to you?

“Being an FHN member has been instrumental, especially in cross-learning with other members, growth and opportunities. The FHN has provided a platform to learn new ideas, explore collaborative opportunities, share knowledge, and through collaboration between FHN and members such as at the recent Wilton Park engagement*, it supports collective advocacy.” 

What is happening in the world today that gives you the most hope that we can one day achieve a fairer and more equal world?

“There has been a lot of acceptance of queer and trans people, as well as sex workers both through policies as well as guidelines that have been developed to support these groups. This gives me hope that we are headed in the right direction, even if slowly. I have hope that if this continues there might be great achievements in the near future.”

In for 2024

“I would like to see more funding being channeled to feminism and humanitarian support.” 

Out for 2024

“I anticipate zero tolerance to violence against womn, zero female genital mutilation and zero forced marriages.”

*In February, FHN members took part in an event at UK FCDO’s Wilton Park focussing on gender.