Azani Ngumbao – Kilifi County
Along Kenya’s coastline in Kilifi County, communities revere customs, traditions, and expectations passed through generations, and questioning long-held norms is rarely encouraged.
While the cultures, traditions and norms preserve our rich identities and way of life, some are harmful.
Meet Azani Ngumbao, a human rights defender from Kilifi County, who saw firsthand the effects of detrimental customs and traditions. He had a choice: to keep quiet or speak against them. He chose the latter.
Azani chose to stand up for a different reality for young girls, women, and youth in Kilifi. He has spent nearly a decade working at the intersection of human rights, youth empowerment, gender equality, and environmental conservation, driven by a belief that communities thrive when both people and culture are protected.
In places such as Magarini, Tana Delta, and Galole, girls disappeared from classrooms long before their dreams had a chance to take shape. Women endured exploitation and violence and carried burdens disguised as tradition. These patterns repeated themselves so often they risked normalization as ordinary scenarios for women and girls.
Azani founded the Girls to Women Foundation, which works to promote the creation of responsive initiatives that provide opportunities for women and girls who are marginalised and vulnerable to thrive and realise their full potential. Through responsive community actions, the Girls to Women Foundation empowers women and girls to rise beyond social ills and disparities in society while amplifying their voices and promoting their access to opportunities.
His work doesn’t end here. He also coordinates more than 10 international conservation projects and that bring together over 500 young volunteers to safeguard cultural and historical sites, including the Gedi Ruins and the Arabuko Sokoke Forest, among others.
He dreams of an ecosystem that creates sustainable opportunities for young people to become custodians of their own destiny and environment.
Azani has not been immune to challenges in his human rights work. He has faced threats, police intimidation, physical attacks, and theft that affected both him and his family.
Despite the challenges, his resilience has continued to promote positive change. School enrolment for girls has increased, supported by community-led mechanisms that monitor and safeguard children’s right to education. In partnership with Marereni Vision Youth Group, FIDA, and the Malindi Rights Forum, community policing structures were built to defend the right to education for girls. His work with groups like Garithe Mangrove Conservation, Taufik Self-Help Group, and Girls to Women has also equipped youth with both digital skills and sustainable livelihoods.
He continues to collaborate with partners, organizing events like the International Women’s Day 2025 gathering in Sabaki Ward, which drew approximately 800 people. According to UN Women data, Kenya reported over 8,000 GBV cases in early 2025; however, community interventions like Azani’s have boosted reporting by 30% in coastal regions. More young people, girls and women are now participating in conversations about land rights, leadership, and development.
“The connection between human rights and community development is inseparable,” Azani noted.
His goal remains building communities where dignity and justice are enjoyed by all, and support from the Defenders Coalition has strengthened this vision.
“Thanks to the Monitoring and Evaluation training provided by Defenders Coalition, I can now monitor safety and raise alarms early.”
Azani remains focused on continued empowerment of the next generation, particularly young women who are finding ways to claim their place in society. In the darkness of systemic injustice, Azani Ngumbao continues to find, and become, the light.
His message to the next generation of human rights defenders is simple:
“You own the world. Speak boldly; society will stand with you.”
Meet Azani Ngumbao, a human rights defender from Kilifi County. Azani champions the rights of women and girls.
He has spent nearly a decade working at the intersection of human rights, youth empowerment, gender equality, and environmental conservation, driven by a belief that communities thrive when both people and culture are protected.
Azani founded the Girls to Women Foundation, which works to promote the creation of responsive initiatives that provide opportunities for women and girls who are marginalised and vulnerable to thrive and realise their full potential. Through responsive community actions, the Girls to Women Foundation empowers women and girls to rise beyond social ills and disparities in society while amplifying their voices and promoting their access to opportunities.