Over 500 adolescent girls and young women from across Kenya gathered in Nairobi for the 5th Edition of the Girls Assembly. A transformative event hosted by Polycom Girls, a Pan-African feminist, women-led organization dedicated to advancing girls’ rights, particularly in informal settlements.
Held from July 25 to 26 under the theme “Legacy in Motion: Her Voice, Her Power, Our Future,” the Assembly served as a powerful platform for girls to speak out on pressing issues. These issues include gender-based violence, grooming, leadership exclusion, and lack of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education.
A Bold Vision for Girls’ Leadership
For over 20 years, Polycom Girls—formerly Polycom Development Project—has championed grassroots interventions that elevate girls’ voices. This year’s Assembly marked a milestone in that journey, uniting girls from Kibera, Homabay, Kajiado, Nairobi’s informal settlements, and universities across Kenya.
The two-day flagship event featured storytelling, innovation challenges, intergenerational dialogue, and creative showcases. These activities not only amplified girls’ voices but also helped build leadership capacity and foster community among girls often left on the margins.
Hon. Millie Odhiambo, MP for Suba North, delivered a stirring call to action during the Assembly: “When you see a 10-year-old pregnant, it means grooming has been happening. We need strong SRH policies. Events like this give girls the confidence and tools to speak out and lead.”
Building a Leadership Pipeline from the Grassroots
According to Wendy Aura, Programs Manager at Polycom Girls, the Assembly is more than an event—it is a movement that empowers girls to take charge of their future:
“This is about reflection, recognition, and preparation. We are investing in intentional leadership pathways in Nairobi and Homa Bay, where girls are now engaging in global platforms like Beijing+30 and the Gender Equality Forum.”
One of the key innovations from this platform is the Feminspire Innovation Challenge, a youth-led initiative supporting young mothers and girls with funding for community-driven projects. The initiative reflects Polycom Girls’ commitment to nurturing changemakers.
Founder and Director Jane Anyango praised the transformation seen among participants: “Girls have moved from silence to strength, mentored by women who walked before them, and now innovating for their futures.”
Strength in Partnerships and Solidarity
This year’s Assembly also deepened collaboration with allied organizations. Daraja Letu Foundation, led by Rachelle Ouko, announced a six-month mentorship programme for newly elected girls’ leaders, underlining the need for stronger coalitions among civil society actors.
“We cannot fight grooming, sexual harassment, and violence in informal settlements alone. Through the IMatter campaign and Resolution 1325, we are building voices that shape the women, peace, and security agenda,” Ouko noted.
New Girl Leaders Emerge
The Assembly celebrated the election of new She Leads Representatives—Stacy Akinyi (Nairobi County) and Nancy Akinyi Ochieng (Homabay County). The young leaders voiced strong visions for inclusive leadership, centered on climate action, mental health, entrepreneurship, and unity.
“This is a dream come true,” said Stacy. “When I leave this role, I want to be remembered as the leader who delivered what she promised.”
A Model for National Replication
Polycom Girls is calling on county governments, CSOs, and educational institutions to replicate girl-centered spaces like the Girls Assembly across the country. With increasing threats such as early pregnancy, grooming, and gender-based violence still affecting thousands of girls, the Assembly’s success underscores the urgent need for institutionalized, grassroots-driven solutions.
As Kenya continues to strive for gender equality, the 5th Girls Assembly stands as a beacon of what is possible when girls are placed at the center of change: empowered, heard, and leading.
