A toolkit for YOUR sexual and gender-based violence advocacy by Valerie Loloju (She/Her) - Kenya – Campaign Lead

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a significant international campaign calling for an end to violence against women and girls (VAWG). This blog post highlights the impactful efforts of CYGEN members who are working tirelessly toward this goal.

The toolkit towards sexual and gender-based violence advocacy is the result of the passion and commitment of young advocates within CYGEN. Drawing from their lived experiences in grassroots activism, they identified a pressing need for a resource to empower other young activists across Commonwealth countries. The aim is to provide structured knowledge and skills to effectively design and implement Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) campaigns. Recognizing the vast scope of SRHR, the toolkit is being developed in multiple editions. The inaugural edition focuses on Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), addressing a critical issue with practical solutions.

The first chapter serves as a bridge, connecting what readers already know about SGBV with deeper, actionable insights. It clearly defines the various forms of SGBV and introduces international legal frameworks addressing the issue. By grounding readers in this foundational knowledge, the chapter ensures a comprehensive understanding of why tackling SGBV is essential and how it affects individuals and communities alike.

Further we take a deep dive into the underlying causes of SGBV and its far-reaching effects, both immediate and long-term. It explores critical topics such as consent, the bystander effect, intersectionality. By highlighting these dimensions, the chapter equips readers with the tools to identify and address the complex dynamics that perpetuate SGBV.

The final chapter focuses on advocacy and action. It answers the question: "Now that we know, what do we do?" This section provides practical guidance for organizing advocacy campaigns, including strategies for overcoming common challenges. It also features three workshop guides, offering step-by-step instructions to help young activists engage their communities. Beyond these examples, the toolkit is designed to be flexible, inspiring users to adapt and expand its applications to meet diverse needs.

This toolkit represents not just a guide but a call to action—empowering young people to lead impactful campaigns and drive meaningful change in their communities.

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About the Author

Valerie Loloju is a sexual and reproductive health rights expert, Co-Founder of Oloip programme and is currently serving as the Assistant national coordinator at the Youth Anti FGM network. She holds a degree in public health and is currently pursuing her masters in public health specializing in sexual reproductive health rights. She has a niche in Family planning, gender mainstreaming and adolescent sexual and reproductive health advocacy and has contributed to development of localized policies that affects adolescents and young people in Kenya. She is an alumnus of the Young African leader’s initiative and the International Indigenous women's leadership forum.

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The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Royal Commonwealth Society.