Firdaus Bwanaali’s Journey

Firdaus Loo Bwanaali – Human Rights Defender & Women Empowerment Champion

Firdaus Loo Bwanaali grew up in the vibrant heart of Lamu County, surrounded by the coral stone streets, deep traditions, and the quiet resilience of its people. From a young age, she witnessed both the strength and the struggles of her community—girls dropping out of school too soon, women battling economic hardship, and voices muted by social inequality. These realities planted in her a conviction: change was possible, and she had a role to play.

Her journey of service began in her early twenties, when she volunteered in rural Lamu to teach literacy and life skills to women and girls. Under the shade of mango trees, she listened to mothers express their dreams of financial independence, and she encouraged young girls to imagine futures as scientists, leaders, and entrepreneurs. These encounters opened her eyes to the untapped potential within her community—and to the systemic barriers that kept women and youth from thriving.

Guided by this vision, Firdaus pursued a Diploma in Community Development and Counselling at the Technical University of Mombasa, complemented by professional training in IT, Front Office & Hotel Management, as well as specialized courses in civic education, human rights, and budget accountability.

She has worked with key institutions including URAIA, MUHURI, IBP, and IEBC, gaining hands-on experience in civic education, digital and physical security, social audits, and participatory governance.

Her leadership extended to peacebuilding, where she played a key role as a member of the NCIC Committee in Lamu East, helping to draft peace accords between villages, mediate community conflicts, and champion peaceful coexistence. As a research assistant for the Kenya Building Research Centre, she contributed to mapping local building resources, and through IEBC, she trained and supervised voter education and registration initiatives across Faza Ward.

Firdaus’s commitment to grassroots transformation is also reflected in her work as Program Coordinator with Faza Youth Action Group, where she spearheaded projects on social accountability, access to justice, prevention of violent extremism, drug and alcohol awareness, HIV/AIDS sensitization, constitutional rights education, and community mediation.

Today, Firdaus serves not only as a peace ambassador and human rights defender, but also as a strong voice within the Lamu Women Empowerment Network (LAWEN). Her experience aligns seamlessly with LAWEN’s mission to empower women socially, economically, and politically. Through her civic education background, she strengthens LAWEN’s advocacy for inclusive governance. Her peacebuilding efforts echo LAWEN’s vision of fostering communities where women are not just survivors of conflict but active peacebuilders. Her commitment to social justice mirrors LAWEN’s pursuit of a society where gender equality is the norm, and women have access to resources, opportunities, and decision-making spaces.

By weaving her lived experiences with LAWEN’s agenda, Firdaus embodies the spirit of resilience and empowerment. She represents a generation of women leaders from Lamu who are rewriting the story of their communities—where women rise not only as beneficiaries but as drivers of peace, equity, and sustainable development.