By Brenda Odhiambo

For many women and girls, especially those from displaced backgrounds, access to education and economic opportunities remains an uphill battle, often hindered by legal barriers, societal norms, and challenges as a result of displacement. However, one young woman is working to change this situation. Prefina Mutudu, a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at USIU-Africa, is the founder of Refugee Women and Girls’ Empowerment (RWOGE), an initiative dedicated to helping refugee women and girls access scholarships, entrepreneurship opportunities, and essential documentation support. Through RWOGE, Prefina is ensuring that women and girls from displaced backgrounds are not left behind in the fight for gender equality and economic inclusion. In this interview, we catch up with Prefina about her work fighting for gender equality.

What inspired you to do this work, particularly focusing on women and girls from displaced backgrounds?

Two key factors inspired me to focus my Community Action Project on empowering women and girls. The first stems from my personal background as a refugee and my deep commitment to supporting their success. In December 2022, I started the Refugee Women and Girls’ Empowerment (RWOGE) initiative, which aimed to create pathways to quality education through scholarships and entrepreneurship opportunities for women and girls from displaced backgrounds. This project, supported by the Department of Refugee Services (DRS), provided crucial resources to refugee women and girls. Over time, I have witnessed more than 10 success stories of women who, despite facing significant challenges, were able to overcome barriers and pursue their ambitions with the right support.

Second, as a refugee, I have had firsthand experience with the difficulties of securing proper documentation and the lack of sufficient support in accessing essential opportunities. Unfortunately, these barriers often lead many young girls to abandon their dreams and opt for early marriages. However, with the opportunity as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at USIU-Africa, I have had the privilege to be trained in leadership and entrepreneurship. These experiences motivated me to focus my Community Action Project on empowering women and girls from displaced backgrounds who struggle to access education and business opportunities, therefore, connecting them with the opportunities they need to succeed through the help of organizations like the DRS.

What are some of the biggest challenges that women and girls from displaced backgrounds face in accessing equal opportunities, and how did your project address this?

Women and girls continue to face significant barriers to education and economic independence, largely due to deep-seated societal perceptions and traditional gender roles. In many communities, they are expected to prioritize household responsibilities over personal aspirations, with little support to pursue education or establish businesses.

According to a report by the International Rescue Committee, seven in ten women and girls from displaced backgrounds encounter heightened risks and challenges during displacement compared to their male counterparts. These challenges include early marriages, sexual harassment and assault, restricted access to education and employment opportunities, and difficulties in obtaining legal refugee documentation. As a result, many are forced to abandon their dreams of higher education, careers, and financial independence.

In response, I launched the Refugee Women and Girls Empowerment (RWOGE) initiative in 2022 to provide mentorship and practical support, equipping them with the confidence to overcome societal barriers. The program focused on guiding participants in securing scholarships and grants, particularly for those aspiring to continue their education or start small businesses. Through these efforts, five out of ten girls have successfully secured secondary school scholarships from Windle Trust Kenya, while one woman received a grant from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to launch her own small-scale business.

Your project focuses on providing information and resources. How does access to information empower women and girls?

Access to information and resources is a crucial pathway to success for anyone, and for women and girls from displaced backgrounds, it can be life changing. Through the sensitization program that focused on creating awareness on the available opportunities with support from the Department of Refugee Services (DRS), over 10 women and girls gained the knowledge on how to easily navigate through the right channels and offices for documentation support like identification card renewal among others. Beyond documentation, I also shared with them information about available scholarship opportunities and grant applications. By equipping them with this knowledge, the RWOGE not only provided practical solutions but also instilled hope and confidence, empowering refugee women and girls to take control of their futures and pursue their aspirations.

One of RWOGE’s success stories is Racheal Murahmya, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). For two years, she struggled to obtain proper documentation to register her small-scale clothing business and support her three children. Through RWOGE’s sensitization program, she received legal guidance from the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) and successfully renewed her refugee identification. This allowed her to legally register her business in Kenya, and since 2023, she has been running a successful enterprise in Pipeline, Nairobi. I continue to support her in searching and applying for funding opportunities to help her achieve financial stability and long-term success.

What are your hopes for the future of women and girls in your community?

I have great hope for the future of women and girls in my community, given their willingness and determination to seize the opportunities available to them. My vision is to continue supporting through conducting sensitization programs on education and entrepreneurship opportunities, therefore, empowering them with the knowledge and skills needed to become financially self-reliant. By building their confidence and equipping them with the right resources, I hope to see more refugee women and girls breaking barriers, supporting their families, and contributing positively to their communities. Ultimately, I envision a future where women and girls from displaced backgrounds will not just survive but thrive, leading change, and inspiring the next generation.

What advice would you give to other young people who want to make a difference in the lives of women and girls?

My advice to young people who want to make a difference in the lives of women and girls is to follow their passion and act, regardless of the resources they have. Making an impact doesn’t always require financial means, dedicating your time, energy, and skills can create meaningful change to their lives. I encourage them not to limit themselves by waiting for perfect conditions. Even small acts, such as volunteering with refugee organizations, mentoring, or simply offering guidance to women and girls can empower and transform their futures. Every effort count, and the ripple effect of support and encouragement can go a long way in uplifting communities.