In a world where the silence surrounding gender-based violence (GBV) has been deafening for too long, some voices have risen above the noise to bring about much-needed change. Jackline Saleiyan, better known as Jackie Wa Pads, is one of those voices.
Her journey from a passionate advocate for women’s rights to receiving one of Kenya’s highest honors—the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) award—has not been just a personal triumph but a beacon of hope for countless women and girls trapped in the harsh realities of violence, poverty, and societal neglect.
A Woman of Purpose
Jackline Saleiyan’s mission to combat GBV and promote menstrual hygiene was ignited by a deep-seated desire to see women treated with dignity and respect. For Jackie, it wasn’t enough to simply speak about injustice; she decided to take action, to stand in the gap where others had turned a blind eye. The painful stories of young girls who could not access sanitary products, women who endured violence and stigma in silence, and communities where gender inequality was ingrained in the very fabric of society became her call to arms.
“Adolescent pregnancies are strongly linked to poverty with low-income levels associated with higher adolescent birth rates. Due to poverty, some girls are compelled by circumstances, and in some cases by their parents, to engage in sexual activities as a source of income for the family to cater to their basic needs which for every menstruating girl includes sanitary pads during these encounters some become pregnant,”explained Saleiyan.
Through her A PACK A MONTH initiative, Jackie Wa Pads has offered more than just sanitary products; she has given hope to women and girls in the most marginalized corners of Kenya. But it’s not just about pads. It’s about dignity. It’s about lifting the veil of shame that often surrounds menstrual health, especially for those who have experienced violence and exploitation. It’s about showing the world that the silence surrounding gender-based violence must end, and it must end now.
For Jackie Wa Pads, every woman and girl who receives a pad is more than just a recipient of a product; they are a testament to her belief that every human being deserves dignity, access to education, and the opportunity to live without fear of violence. Her unwavering passion and commitment have seen her organization not only provide life-changing resources but also engage in deep, meaningful conversations about the societal structures that perpetuate GBV.
A Life Shaped by Struggle and Resilience
Jackie Wa Pad’s work is a direct response to the systemic issues that have long plagued her country—issues that are not easy to confront. Gender-based violence is not a one-time tragedy; it’s a cycle that often begins in childhood, continues through adolescence, and carries on into adulthood. In communities where patriarchy is deeply entrenched, the struggle for women’s rights can often feel like an uphill battle. Yet, Jackie has never shied away from that challenge. Her resilience and courage have helped give voice to the voiceless and strength to the weak.
“There are no social structures of help to the adolescent mother to enable them access school once they become mothers, their education stops compromising their future and that of their children. The unavailability of childcare makes returning to and focusing on education a challenge for adolescent mothers. A lack of resources for covering the costs related to external child care or unavailability of family members to provide child care are both issues that result in dropping out of school,” said Saleiyan.
In Kenya, where the cultural and societal barriers to addressing GBV remain high, Jackie has broken ground by opening new spaces for women to discuss their trauma, seek help, and build a better future. Through community outreach programs and awareness campaigns, she has slowly but steadily built a network of support for women who have suffered unimaginable violence. She has dedicated her life to ensuring that survivors of gender-based violence are not defined by their trauma but by their strength and resilience.
Perhaps most inspiring is how Jackie has embraced the power of education. Beyond distributing sanitary pads, she has launched several education programs aimed at breaking the silence on issues of sexual violence, child marriage, and female genital mutilation (FGM). She believes that true empowerment comes not only from access to physical resources but also from knowledge—knowledge that enables women and girls to stand up for their rights, to challenge oppressive systems, and lead with their heads held high.
One such initiative is the provision of an Adolescent Mothers Babies Free Daycare where SGBV survivors who ended up pregnant can drop their babies in the morning when they go to school and pick them up in the evening. This was based on the background that in her sub-county there was a low return to school rate of adolescent mothers owing to the lack of support systems for them and their children prompting the adolescent mother to give up her education so that she could raise the child. This would jeopardize equality in their receiving education and leave them at a disadvantage.
The Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) Award: A Celebration of Courage and Change
On the 12th of December, 2024, Jackline Saleiyan was honored with the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) award—an acknowledgment of her tireless efforts to fight gender-based violence and empower women across Kenya. The OGW is one of Kenya’s highest national honors, given to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to society and have demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, and selflessness. For Jackie, this award represents more than just personal recognition; it symbolizes the collective struggles of every woman who has been a victim of gender-based violence and every girl whose future was once uncertain.
Receiving the OGW is an extraordinary moment, but it’s also a powerful message that Jackie’s work is not in vain. It’s an affirmation that society is slowly beginning to recognize the importance of gender equality and the urgency of addressing GBV. It’s a reminder that when one woman rises, she carries with her the weight of countless others, and that change is possible, no matter how deeply rooted the issues may seem.
But for Jackie, the honor isn’t about accolades or awards. It’s about the lives she’s touched, the communities she’s transformed, and the future she’s helped shape. As she stood in front of Kenya’s most distinguished leaders to receive her award, her thoughts likely weren’t on the shiny medal around her neck but on the thousands of girls she has seen smile again, on the women whose lives have been rebuilt from the ashes of violence, and on the many more she hopes to reach in the years to come.
“This award is a testament that God rewards hard work and consistency. I dedicate it to God, all SGBV survivors, and all those who have in any way supported this change to the community. It is also an encouragement to me to be recognized as a youth O.G.W. To my fellow youth, we have what it takes to change our community one step at a time, one effort at a time one idea implemented at a time, “she commented as she received the award.
A Future Reimagined
The recognition that comes with the OGW is monumental, but Jackie’s work is far from done. There are still millions of women and girls around the world who suffer from gender-based violence every day. There are still cultural and societal norms that allow this violence to persist. But Jackie believes in the power of resilience, community, and collective action. Her fight is not just for today but for the future—for a world where every woman and girl has the right to live free from fear, to thrive, and to take their place in society with pride.
Her vision extends beyond just providing pads or even just raising awareness. Jackie envisions a world where GBV is eradicated, where laws protect women and girls effectively, and where every survivor is empowered to speak out and seek justice. In her eyes, this is not a distant dream—it is a goal within reach. And she continues to work relentlessly to make it a reality.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Empowerment
Jackline Saleiyan’s journey from an ordinary woman with a passion to an extraordinary activist, advocate, and leader is one marked by determination, compassion, and boundless hope. The OGW award she recently received is a testament to her strength and her relentless fight against gender-based violence. But it is also a reminder to each of us that the work isn’t over. There is still so much to be done, and Jackie’s example encourages us to do our part, to stand with women and girls, to lend our voices to the cause, and to fight for the world that Jackie envisions.
Jackline is a graduate of Daystar University (Public Relations), Kenya School of Government (Middle-Level Officer in Prevention and Control of Violence Extremism) and International College of Peace (Executive Diploma in Humanitarian Diplomacy), a YALI and Global Peace Foundations- The President’s Fellowship Alumni and has won several other awards.
The Trailblazers Award; Top 50 African Women in Development; Women History Month Recognition dinner with The Counselor of Public Affairs of the Embassy of the United States of Africa; Utumishi Bora Awards Pioneering and Innovation 2nd Runner Up; Chandaria Awards; attended Summit of the Future at the UN headquarters; Kajiado County Gender Equality and Women Empowerment award; planted 3,600 trees.
She has served as the youngest board member for the Kenya Alliance for the Advancement of Children Rights; Kajiado North Teenage Pregnancy Intervention Committee; Kajiado North Peace and Security Committee; Kajiado North Election Preparedness Committee; Chairs Ngong Division Child Protection Network among many other roles.
So far she has distributed 49,400 packs of sanitary towels to adolescent girls and young women at risk of sexual exploitation for pads. She has rescued 40 adolescent girls from SGBV and successfully reintegrated them into school; held annually for the last 5 years the only adolescent girls and young women soccer tournament in Kenya; has planted
Jackie Wa Pads is not just a name—it’s a symbol of what happens when love, resilience, and action intersect. It’s a symbol of how one woman, through sheer will and dedication, can change the lives of thousands. As long as Jackie continues her work, her impact will be felt for generations to come, lighting the way for others to follow in her footsteps and work toward a world where gender-based violence is no more.
In the words of the late Maya Angelou, “We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter their color.” Jackline Saleiyan’s tapestry is one woven with strength, courage, and an unwavering commitment to equality for all.
