Artist Mitchell Njenga bieng awarded ./ PHOTO ; Courtesy
Violence against women remains one of the most urgent human rights issues globally—and Kenya is no exception.
One in three women faces physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, and nearly 40 percent of survivors never seek help.
With the economic cost of gender-based violence estimated at KES 46 billion annually, the call for bold, sustained action grows louder each year.
Activate Nairobi 2025, launched in partnership with the Embassy of Italy, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), and the Italian Cultural Institute, is part of the UNiTE Campaign and seeks to mobilize communities to combat violence, both offline and online.
As the campaign brings together artists, advocates, and institutions, one story stands out: that of young artist Mitchell Njenga, whose work embodies the courage, empathy, and leadership the movement aims to inspire.
Mitchell at the Centre: Art as a Call to Confront Digital Violence
At the heart of this year’s exhibition is multidisciplinary artist Mitchell Njenga, whose digital piece became a defining voice in the fight against technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV).
Traditionally known for hands-on visual art, Njenga fully embraced digital media this year, driven by its ability to reach millions living increasingly online.
“For me, this was a personal project,” she said.
“I have seen first-hand what technology-facilitated gender-based violence can do to women. Often, the online abuse happens even before any physical violence begins.”
Her art is rooted in lived experience. She recounts the traumatic incident of a young friend who an older male acquaintance harassed.
After rejecting him, the girl found herself photographed secretly while asleep. The man attempted to use the images to extort her.
Njenga and other women stepped in, helped her retrieve the phone and delete the images, and supported her through the emotional aftermath.
“It is a form of assault because it affects your life, your mental health, and your confidence,” she said.
Njenga notes that women often ask themselves whether they are safe posting anything online, and she also highlights an uncomfortable truth: much of the online shaming, whether body-shaming, fat-shaming, or normalizing harassment, comes from other women.
“Women are meant to empower each other,” she said.
“It’s heartbreaking to see body-shaming, fat-shaming, or women telling others to accept online harassment.”
Her bold and emotive piece earned her first place in the youth category of this year’s Empowering Art: Kenya’s Curative Voices competition, an honour that she says strengthens her resolve.
“This win encourages me to keep using art to spark dialogue and support survivors,” she said.
“Most of our lives are spent online. Through my art, I want to raise awareness, support victims, and send a message of hope: whatever a woman is going through, help is always available.”
Art as Social Investment: Young Change Makers Leading the Way
Mitchell’s journey reflects a larger shift within the Activate Nairobi campaign, one that places youth leadership, creative expression, and technology at the centre of gender justice advocacy.
The campaign seeks to move conversations beyond awareness and into action, placing artists like her at the forefront of transformative social investment.
Through exhibitions, performances, and public engagements, young people are reimagining how society confronts violence.
In this space, art becomes more than expression; it becomes public education, survivor support, and a tool for reshaping harmful norms.
Mitchell’s voice represents a new wave of socially conscious creators pushing advocacy into the digital age.
Italy’s Call for Prevention: AICS Underscores Accountability
Speaking during the event, Fabio Minniti, Head of Office at AICS Nairobi, affirmed Italy’s commitment to advancing gender equality.
He reiterated that gender-based violence remains one of the most widespread human rights violations globally, drawing parallels between Kenya and Italy.
Kenya’s progress through the Data Protection Act and the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, he noted, is significant but not sufficient.
Survivors still face fear of stigma, limited digital literacy, and mistrust of justice system barriers that allow violence to thrive.
“It is a call to combat GBV, raise awareness, and promote lasting change,” Minniti said, describing Activate Nairobi as a movement rather than an event.
He added a personal reflection on the role of men in prevention:
“If we expect boys to grow into respectful men, we must first examine our own behaviour, the attitudes we challenge or fail to challenge, and the example we set. Ending GBV is not a women’s issue; it is a human imperative.”
UN Women: Digital Violence Must Be Addressed With Urgency
UN Women’s Country Representative, Antonia Ngabala-Sodonon, applauded the partnership between Italy and Kenya, emphasizing that violence against women remains a global crisis.
She highlighted the 2025 theme for the 16 Days of Activism:
“End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”
With cyberstalking, hate speech, and non-consensual image sharing on the rise, she called for:
- Investing in prevention at scale
- Strengthening survivor-centred response systems
- Elevating youth leadership in digital spaces
“Activate Nairobi is not just an opening; it is a call to conscience,” she said. “Silence enables violence; action interrupts it.”
Government Perspective: Art as a Driver of Social Transformation
In her keynote address, Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture and Children Services, Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, underscored the urgency of confronting violence against women and children, including femicide.
She noted that violence continues to occur in homes, schools, communities, and online platforms—spaces that should offer protection.
She praised Empowering Art: Kenya’s Creative Voices for providing young people with a platform to express painful realities as well as resilience and hope.
“Art has always been a powerful instrument for reflection, healing, advocacy, and transformation,” she said.
The CS outlined ongoing government efforts to strengthen child protection systems, expand safe spaces, improve referral pathways, and build community awareness.
She emphasized the need for positive masculinity, shared accountability, and societal protection of women and girls.
“Today marks more than a campaign launch it marks a united call to action,” she said.
“Together, we can make Nairobi and the whole of Kenya places where every woman and girl lives in safety, dignity, and respect.”
Mitchell’s Voice in a Collective Movement
Across the exhibition halls and public forums of Activate Nairobi 2025, Mitchell Njenga’s work stands as a vivid reminder that the fight against gender-based violence is personal, urgent, and deeply interconnected.
Her journey reflects the campaign’s core message: that transformative change is possible when individuals, institutions, and communities work together.
Her art challenges the silence that allows digital violence to flourish and reassures survivors that they are not alone.
A Campaign Powered by Collaboration and Hope
Activate Nairobi 2025 highlights the impact of cross-cultural partnerships, creative advocacy, and community action.
From artists like Mitchell Njenga to organizations such as AICS, UN Women, and the Ministry of Gender, the campaign showcases a united mission: building a Kenya where women and girls live free from violence online and offline.
The campaign is a reminder that while the crisis persists, so does the collective will to end it.
And at the centre of that movement stand change makers like Mitchell using their talent and courage to push society forward.
