SHEBA ONCHIRI

Sheba Onchiri, originally from Kenya, has been actively a gender activist, educationist, a researcher, socio-justice activist, and community trainer in both the USA and Africa. She holds a Ph. D in Educational Administration, a Master’s in Women’s Studies , a Post Graduate diploma in Gender and Development and a Bachelor’s degree in Education. She seeks to build a strong sisterhood with like-minded women and human rights activists. Her feminist stance drives her to use whatever tools and opportunities she lays her hands on, to conscientize people on the need for gender equity. Currently, she is actively engaging African female (and male) students studying at Michigan State University (her employer) to find ways to address the oppressive patriarchal systems that demean African women and inhibit their social, economic, and political advancement. Sheba believes that targeting the younger generation (both female and male) is one of the most viable way to address the seemingly die-hard oppressive patriarchal tendencies, prevalent in most African countries. She has also started to reach out to African women and girls, living in the diaspora, and devising ways to address the multifaceted challenges facing them both in their countries of origin and in the US. She believes that empowering African females in the diaspora would contribute towards the empowerment of women currently living in Africa. In the past, Sheba has consulted with African based nonprofits including the Kenya Episcopal Conference (Women and Gender Program), and the Community Based Development Services. In this capacity, Sheba offered various trainings that sought to enhance the aptitudes of African community leaders including women, teachers, the clergy, and other community leaders. The fundamental goal of all her trainings was to sensitize these community leaders on gender issues and women’s rights.