Meet the WeLead CoAFs

Betty Mtuweta is a development professional with a passion for advocating for health and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). With a Bachelor’s Degree in Development Studies, Betty possesses a robust academic background in understanding critical development issues.

Having previously served as an Advocacy Officer and a youth mentor, Betty distinguished herself by championing the mainstreaming of marginalised and vulnerable young people and advocating for their inclusion in health services and the community. Betty currently works at the Center for the Study of Adolescence in Kenya, where she manages and coordinates the We Lead program. She plays a pivotal part in designing and implementing initiatives tailored to the specific needs of marginalised youth, particularly young women affected by displacement, living with HIV, young women with disabilities and young women who are sexual minorities.

Fisayo Owoyemi is a Nigerian-based queer feminist whose career has been centered on helping to improve the lives and well-being of queer Nigerians. Previously, her work targeted lesbian, bisexual, and queer women in Nigeria to improve their socioeconomic well-being, as well as their sexual and reproductive health. Currently, Fisayo is the Community of Action Facilitator for the We Lead program in Nigeria. This program is focused on improving the SRHR of four rights holders, namely: LBQI persons, young women and girls living with HIV, those affected by displacement, and those with disability.

Flor González is activist and feminist. Flor is convinced of the importance of contributing to young women’s autonomy and self-determination and interested in their healing processes.

Funom Yakubu is a 28-year-old young feminist leader with an impressive academic and professional background. Funom holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and International Studies, a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies with a specialisation in Human Security, and is currently a final-year PhD candidate studying Gender, Peace, Security, and Development.

As the Community of Action Facilitator on the We Lead Project in Nigeria, Funom has been instrumental in supporting local organisations to advance gender rights. Prior to this role, Funom amassed extensive experience in PR and Brand Communications, working with some of Africa’s top brands. Funom also served as a Gender Advisor with Cuso International, offering strategic insights on gender equity and inclusivity.

Haldo Djive is a 25-year-old Mozambican lesbian woman, and graduated in Law. She began her journey as an activist in 2015 where her focus has always been on women’s rights, specifically LBQ women.

Laura (Lau) Ortiz, born in Antigua Guatemala, is 28 years old and describes themself as creative, humorous, and introverted, with a love for art, music, and cats.

Laura studied Social Psychology and Special Education at the State University of Guatemala (USAC). After fieldwork and training in tools for working with children, the focus shifted toward Human Rights Protection and Popular Education.

Currently, Laura works with young people through an intersectional and feminist approach, with strong engagement in advancing sexual and reproductive rights and advocating for Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Guatemala.

As a Community of Action Facilitator with the We Lead Project, Laura leads and supports multiple organisations and collectives in their work, initiatives, and proposals to defend the sexual and reproductive rights of young women.

Ligia Destephen is a feminist from Honduras with eight years of experience in sexual and reproductive health. A trained psychologist and sexologist, Ligia has dedicated their work to defending the sexual and reproductive rights of young people at national, regional, and international levels. Ligia is a member of the strategy group advocating for access to the contraception pill in Honduras.

Currently serving as the National Facilitator of the We Lead program in Honduras, Ligia also provides psychotherapy with a focus on cases of violence and sexual violence. Recognising the need for accessible information on sexual education in the country, Ligia launched a podcast on sexuality one year ago.

Marcia Jorge Mandlate Chavane, 28 years old, is currently serving as a COA (Community of Action) Facilitator at AMODEFA. She holds a degree in History from Eduardo Mondlane University and has eight years of professional experience in humanitarian organisations, working as a social activist in the areas of Human Rights, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Advocacy, Policy, and Gender.

With a strong passion for social causes, especially women’s empowerment, Marcia has been actively working to create inclusive spaces and promote gender equality initiatives. Her commitment to driving positive change and defending marginalized communities has been the driving force behind her work.

Martha Clara Nakato is a Ugandan young woman living with HIV, and a health and rights advocate skilled in HIV, AIDs and SRHR. She is a passionate about working with communities in developing and facilitating social programs that improve the quality of life of young people and marginalised groups.

She currently works with the SRHR Alliance Uganda, as the community of Action facilitator for the We Lead Program, a program aimed at strengthening the influence of young women in claiming and promoting their SRHR.

Marcy is a national coordinator for the We Lead program in Kenya, Mercy is also a trained counsellor and an expert in advocacy. Her work ensures that progressive policies are implemented and awareness created to empower people to make informed decisions in line with their sexual rights. Her experience involves providing safe spaces to learn about bodies, discuss sexual experiences, become better communicators, heal from abuse and advocate for changes. She is a strong believer in the power that young people hold in creating positive change in society and truly aligns with the principle: nothing for us without us.

Nour Nahhas is a 27-year-old Community of Action Facilitator for the We Lead Program in Lebanon. Nour has extensive experience in the non-governmental sector, in the field of gender, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and migration.

Rahinato is young activist working for the rights of children and women with disabilities at a national, regional and global level to make sure their voices. After an episode of polio when she was 5 months old, Rahina has a physical disability, she believes in the slogan: “Nothing for us without us and everything with us”. She’s the Community of Action Facilitator for Niger, leading the implementation of the We Lead program in West Africa through which she wants to achieve her goal of seeing women with disabilities and other vulnerable groups enjoy a better health, especially sexual and reproductive health and rights.