Breaking the Silence: How Pauline Juma Built a Movement for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence in Kenya

In March 2018, Pauline Akinyi Juma made a decision that would change her life and the lives of many others.

After many years of domestic violence, she broke her silence. What began as a deeply personal act of courage quickly became a movement of healing, empowerment, and social change.

Sitting in a crowded room in Nairobi’s Kibra settlement, with cameras focused on her, Pauline quietly said the words that would echo far beyond that moment: “My name is Pauline Akinyi Juma, and this is my story.”

The six-hour televised interview was a turning point for Pauline. It unlocked a path to healing and gave a voice to countless women and girls carrying hidden pain. It also marked the start of her journey from survivor to change maker.

Inspired by a poem she wrote to her 16-year-old self - a reminder that she was worthy, loved, and enough, Pauline founded Rebirth of a Queen, a community-based organization led by survivors - dedicated to breaking the cycle of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

What started as her personal journey toward healing grew into a safe space and support network for others facing similar experiences. Violence manifests in many ways. It can shift, hide in silence, and infiltrate homes and workplaces. But when survivors speak up, they begin to regain their strength.

Since it started, Rebirth of a Queen has become a safe space for survivors of sexual violence, domestic abuse, and human trafficking. Grounded in a holistic, trauma-informed approach, the organization focuses on healing, reintegration, and long-term empowerment. It offers shelter and psychosocial support for survivors and their children, plus vocational training in fashion design, leatherwork, IT, and graphic design. The organization also creates job and business opportunities run by survivors themselves.

Through community education and advocacy, Rebirth of a Queen also works to challenge harmful norms and end the silence around gender-based violence.

To date, the organization has directly impacted over 3,000 lives, with many survivors going on to become entrepreneurs, mentors, and agents of change in their communities.

In 2023, Rebirth of a Queen formed a transformative partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, significantly boosting its mission and impact. The collaboration offered valuable mentorship and strategic guidance, which helped them focus on sustainability. With the Foundation’s backing, the organization has expanded its vocational training programs, especially for young women, improved access to education and mental health services, and reached more areas across Kajiado County and neighbouring regions.

The partnership has further created sustainable, income-generating enterprises that provide employment for survivors and support shelter operations. “The partnership with the Mastercard Foundation has grown beyond organizational support. It has shaped me into a stronger, more visionary leader. With mentorship, I’ve gained the skills to build sustainable, survivor-led communities,” Pauline notes.

As Rebirth of a Queen celebrates six years of making a difference, its journey is far from over. With ongoing collaboration, the leadership of survivors, and steadfast community support, its vision for a violence-free society is not just a dream, but an achievable future. “This is not just my story. It’s our story of rising again, of reclaiming our dignity, of rebirth. And we’re just getting started,” Says Pauline.