Youth Representative
Network for Empowering Samburu Transformation (NEST)
Silvana Lesuuda, an Indigenous youth from Samburu County, Kenya, is a leading voice in the movement for gender equality and youth empowerment. She is the founder and Executive Director of the Network for Empowering Samburu Transformation (NEST), a youth-led organization that works to uplift and advocate for young people - especially young women - from Indigenous communities. Silvana also serves as the chair of young women within the Indigenous Women Council (IWC), a platform that brings together women leaders across generations to promote equity and justice.
In her advocacy, Silvana highlights a persistent issue: the marginalization of young Indigenous women in critical conversations and decision-making processes that shape their lives and futures. For generations, patriarchal norms have silenced or overlooked the voices of young women, particularly in pastoralist and Indigenous communities like Samburu. These women, despite being directly affected by social, economic, and political decisions, often find their perspectives dismissed or undervalued. They are rarely encouraged to seek out leadership roles, especially in elective politics.
During one leadership training hosted by the Women's Caucus, Stacey Nareyo- a Special Elect Member of the County Assembly of Samburu - offered a stark reflection of this reality. Stacey shared that her biggest challenge in the County Assembly is patriarchy. She is frequently told she is too young, and when important decisions are being made, she is excluded.
"They often tell you to wait," she explained, "because you have a long way to go."
Her experience mirrors that of many other young Indigenous women who face discrimination not just for being women, but for being young as well. This dual bias systematically restricts their access to spaces where they could otherwise contribute meaningfully.
For Silvana, becoming involved in the Indigenous women's movement has been nothing short of transformative. The movement has provided her - and many other young women - with a vital platform to raise their voices, advocate for their rights, and engage meaningfully in leadership. Through her work with IWC and NEST, she has received mentorship from experienced Indigenous women, gained hands-on experience in community-based advocacy, and developed the confidence needed to step into leadership roles that were once deemed out of reach.
What makes this movement especially powerful is its intergenerational nature. Older women leaders pass on their knowledge and experience, while younger women and girls bring fresh energy, new perspectives, and digital-savvy advocacy. This exchange not only builds confidence and skills but also equips young women to challenge the oppressive systems that have long silenced them.
Moreover, the inclusion of young women in the day-to-day operations and governance of the movement helps ensure its sustainability. Through the support of the Indigenous Women's Council, youth-led organizations like NEST are receiving training in leadership, resource mobilization, organizational development, and advocacy. These efforts are building a strong foundation for lasting change - within communities and at regional, national, and even international levels.
"We are the only ones who can speak for ourselves - in the true spirit of 'leave no one behind.'"
Silvana's words serve as both a declaration and a call to action: to create space for young Indigenous women to lead, to speak, and to shape the future of their communities on their own terms.