A single voice can spark a fire, but a chorus can ignite a revolution. Evelyne wasn’t interested in a spark; she craved an inferno for women’s rights across Africa. But unlike the firebrands who stormed and shouted, Evelyne approached change with the patience and cunning of a weaver.

Her weapon? Relationships. She saw the power in connecting people, in turning colleagues into allies and organizations into a unified force. Her target? The legal frameworks that held women back. Evelyne started small, identifying key players like the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. With quiet determination, she cultivated trust, fostering a dialogue that eventually led to a stronger legal tapestry. Together, they wove standards and norms that now resonate across Africa, a testament to the power of collaboration.

But Evelyne’s ambition wouldn’t be confined to a single room. She saw the strength in a united Pan-African front. With threads of diplomacy, she built bridges to organizations like the African Union Commission and the Pan-African Parliament. These weren’t mere connections; they produced tangible results, crafting crucial standards on abortion rights that would impact millions.

Evelyne understood that awareness was just as important as policy. She wasn’t just a weaver of legal frameworks; she was an educator, a weaver of knowledge. She conceptualized and organized strategic trainings, empowering stakeholders like lawyers and members of parliament to become effective champions. Even the mighty African Commission benefited high-level sensitization meetings.

Evelyne’s story isn’t one of fiery pronouncements. It’s a testament to the quiet persistence of a woman who, thread by thread, wove a web of collaboration that continues to strengthen the fight for a more just Africa, where every woman’s voice can rise in a powerful chorus.

A Champion for Gender Equity and Reproductive Justice

Evelyne is a human rights lawyer and a champion for gender and reproductive justice with 23 years of experience in advancing gender equity across Africa. Her educational background combines a law degree from Pune University in India with a master’s degree in Gender and Development from the University of Nairobi in Kenya.

Evelyne’s career began in 2001 as a State Law Officer in Kenya, where she advocated for the rights of poor and vulnerable widows. She then transitioned to the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Kenya, a prominent women’s rights organization. Over a six-year period, Evelyne held increasingly responsible positions at FIDA, advocating for a broad range of women’s rights issues before leaving as a Senior Program Officer in 2010.

Evelyne’s focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) deepened between 2010 and 2013 when she served as the Africa Regional Policy Associate for Ipas, a global SRHR organization. In this role, she collaborated with regional human rights mechanisms and partnered with both government and non-governmental organizations across Africa to strengthen health systems and increase access to quality SRHR services for women.

From 2013 to 2022, Evelyne served as the Senior Regional Director for Africa at the Center for Reproductive Rights. She led the organization’s work on the continent, devising and implementing successful strategies that significantly improved the landscape of reproductive justice in Africa. Her tenure included contributions to groundbreaking research and court decisions on abortion and maternal health.

Since July 2022, Evelyne has continued her leadership in the field of women’s rights, assuming a role with the International Center for Research on Women and leading their work in the Africa region.

Evelyne is a recognized strategist, collaborating with policymakers, activists, private sector actors, and researchers to advance women’s rights globally. She has published articles on women’s rights issues and is a graduate of the WomenLift Health’s East Africa Leadership Journey program. This program empowers women leaders in global health, and Evelyne leverages her own experience by serving as a program advisor and mentor for the organization’s inaugural Thematic Leadership Journey in Family Planning and Contraceptive Access.

Evelyne’s dedication to reproductive justice is further evidenced by her board memberships with FP2030 and the Reproductive Health Network – Kenya.

Multifaceted Role at ICRW Africa

Evelyne wears many hats as the Africa Director for ICRW. She’s a strategist, a program manager, and a team leader, all focused on advancing gender equality across Africa. As part of ICRW’s executive team, she contributes to the organization’s global strategy while ensuring ICRW’s mission in Africa has clear vision, strong visibility, and impactful technical work. Her focus areas – economic opportunity, health & reproductive justice, social norms, climate action, and power dynamics – become the foundation for ICRW Africa’s research, advocacy, and programmatic efforts.

Evelyne doesn’t just lead, she builds. She actively seeks partnerships and funding to amplify ICRW Africa’s impact, while ensuring long-term sustainability through strategic planning. Her vision extends beyond ICRW Africa’s current work. She’s guiding the transformation of ICRW Africa into a Gender Center of Excellence (GCoE) with operational and strategic autonomy, fostering decentralization and allowing ICRW Africa to be more responsive to specific needs on the continent. This GCoE isn’t just about research; it’s also about nurturing the next generation of gender researchers who are globally connected, contributing to cutting-edge gender scholarship and serving as a formidable bulwark against backlash to gender justice and equality. . Evelyne’s commitment to this vision is evident in the strong Africa Governance board established, a diverse group predominantly comprised of women who bring strategic expertise to the table. Under her leadership, ICRW Africa boasts a series of achievements: increased funding, a comprehensive strategy for program impact, strategic partnerships, and a strengthened operation.

Evelyne’s leadership is shaping a brighter future for African women, and ICRW Africa is poised to continue serving as a leading force for gender equality on the continent.

A Champion for Reproductive Rights in Africa

Evelyne’s career reflects a steadfast dedication to women’s rights, particularly in the realm of reproductive justice. Her experiences demonstrate a multifaceted approach, encompassing strategic vision, legal expertise, capacity building, and network building.

Leading the Charge:

At the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR), Evelyne’s strategic vision positioned CRR as a global leader in advancing and protecting reproductive rights across Africa. Her leadership resulted in impactful litigation, with six groundbreaking court decisions on issues like abortion access and maternal healthcare abuse. (See links provided)

Shaping the Narrative:

Evelyne actively contributed to publications addressing complex topics like the criminalization of noncoercive and nonexploitative consensual sex among adolescentsand the expulsion of pregnant girls from schools. (See links provided) Her insights helped shape public discourse on these critical issues.

Empowering Others:

Evelyne recognized the importance of building capacity. She played a key role in strengthening the abilities of NGOs, government officials, and legal professionals on matters of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender across the region.

Building Bridges:

Evelyne fostered collaboration and established the Africa Reproductive Rights Initiative, a vital regional network for SRHR advocacy. Her strong connections with human rights advocates, academics, and UN officials further amplified her impact. (See link provided)

Expanding Reach:

Under Evelyne’s leadership, CRR expanded its footprint in Africa, growing from a presence in three countries to seven. This broadened influence allowed CRR to more effectively engage with human rights mechanisms and political spaces. Evelyne also played a critical role in supporting institutional and regional fundraising goals.

Beyond CRR:

Evelyne’s commitment to reproductive justice extends beyond CRR. During her time with Ipas, she successfully coordinated advocacy efforts that expanded abortion rights within the Kenyan Constitution. (See link provided)

Setting Standards:

Evelyne actively participated in developing key guidelines and codes. This included contributions to the 2012 Standards and Guidelines for reducing morbidity and mortality from unsafe abortion in Kenya. She also provided technical advice on other critical documents like the Kenya National Patients Charter and professional codes for medical practitioners.

Educating and Empowering:

Evelyne recognized the importance of education and awareness. She conceptualized and organized strategic trainings on reproductive rights, reaching a wide audience that included the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, Members of Parliament, African lawyers, and others.

Driving Change for SRHR in Africa

Evelyne is a strategic leader with a proven track record of mobilizing resources and developing effective strategies to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across Africa. Her multifaceted approach combines adaptability, strong communication skills, and a deep understanding of the African context.

Building a Sustainable Foundation:

Evelyne is a critical thinker who constantly assesses her approach against the funding landscape. She understands the importance of playing to organizational strengths, addressing weaknesses, and adapting to ensure success.

Communicating for Impact:

Evelyne is a skilled communicator. She crafts compelling narratives that resonate with stakeholders, donors, and the public. This ability to effectively communicate the mission, impact, and vision of SRHR organizations is essential for securing resources and building support.

Collaboration is Key:

Evelyne recognizes the power of collaboration. She cultivates strong relationships with partners, donors, and other organizations. This collaborative spirit allows her to leverage resources, amplify the impact of her work, and create a more unified front for SRHR advocacy.

Trust and Credibility:

Evelyne maintains high ethical standards in her work. This focus on integrity builds trust and positions her organizations as credible and reliable partners for lasting change.

Adaptability and Foresight:

Evelyne thrives in dynamic environments. She is adept at quickly adapting to changing contexts, emerging issues, and diverse audiences. This allows her to remain relevant and address evolving needs within the SRHR landscape.

Thought Leadership:

Evelyne is a thought leader. She actively shapes conversations, influences policies, and drives the narrative around SRHR issues in Africa. This proactive approach positions her as a key influencer in the field.

Experience Makes a Difference

Evelyne’s extensive experience across diverse sectors has significantly contributed to advancing SRHR in Africa.

Civil Service Background: Her time in civil service provided her with a deep understanding of government structures, public policy development, and navigating bureaucratic processes. This knowledge allows her to effectively advocate for women’s rights within government institutions.

NGO Advocacy: Within NGOs, Evelyne championed the rights of marginalized women, focusing on critical issues often shrouded in stigma, such as abortion, assisted reproduction, and adolescent access to SRHR services.

Regional Human Rights Mechanisms: Evelyne’s work with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child directly contributed to strengthening regional standards and norms related to women’s rights.

Evelyne’s multifaceted approach, combined with her extensive experience, makes her a powerful force for positive change in the realm of SRHR across Africa. Her ability to mobilize resources, communicate effectively, and navigate complex environments positions her as a valuable asset in the ongoing fight for women’s rights.

Empowering Women Leaders in Global Health

Evelyne Opondo isn’t just a leader in global health; she’s an advocate for ensuring women have a seat at the table. Her dedication is evident in her participation with the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey. This program empowers women leaders, and Evelyne actively participated in the inaugural East Africa cohort. The experience was so transformative that she’s returned in 2024, this time as a mentor for the Family Planning and Contraceptive Access Thematic Leadership Journey. The program’s impact on Evelyne is clear: it’s helped her refine her leadership skills, build a strong network, and find her voice.

But Evelyne’s passion extends beyond her own growth. She’s dedicated to amplifying the voices of marginalized women, those often left behind. Her goal is to empower them to unlock their potential and achieve their goals. This translates into her advocacy for gender and reproductive justice issues. Evelyne aspires to be a fearless champion, not just within Africa, but on the global stage. She believes collaboration is key, encouraging others to seek support and build relationships with allies in the field. Evelyne’s journey is a testament to the power of mentorship and the importance of continuous learning. By empowering others and advocating for women leaders, she’s paving the way for a future where gender equality shapes health outcomes worldwide.