Culture
Empowering Women to Stand Up: How IRC is Building Trust and Creating Change
Born in Kenya, Sophia Ngugi grew up in a community where women were discouraged from getting more than just a basic education and standing up against social injustices. But today, she’s doing just that. As senior technical advisor for participation & women’s movement building at International Rescue Committee (IRC), Sophia is creating safe havens where women can share their stories—and where they can be heard.
Sophia is one of thousands of people who have dedicated their lives to improving the lives of others through IRC. In partnership with organizations on the ground, IRC meets the immediate needs of those uprooted from their homes, from providing emergency monetary support and meals to hygiene kits. Right now in Ukraine, for instance, women are giving birth in bomb shelters against all odds; these women need access to medical care and information on legal rights. In these dire situations, IRC teams are ready to mobilize.
IRC’s work has been an inspiration to many of us here at 2U. Since 2019, we have partnered with the global humanitarian organization to ignite change via education. Working in areas of conflict, IRC employees often don’t have access to programs to advance their knowledge. Through full scholarships to executive education courses and curated leadership development tracks for high-potential women leaders, 2U offers IRC’s global employee base opportunities to grow their skills to best take care of those they support.
In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8 and our celebration of the stories of women to claim our collective power, 2U’s Business Resource Network for Womxn and Allies (W.A.N.) invited Sophia to share with 2U employees the life-changing work IRC does to support women who have been impacted by conflict and help them recover, survive, and regain control of their future. Beginning with her own upbringing, Sophia spoke about her role as a humanitarian, progress made in combating gender violence, and how she is helping to build empowered communities and uplift the stories of women through IRC. Here are a few crucial takeaways from our conversation, as well as a couple of ways you too can get involved and make a difference.
Empowering Women & Girls in the Global South
Growing up, Sophia often questioned the patriarchal systems she faced in Kenya. As one of 10 children, she was fortunate to have parents who supported a woman’s right to education and who encouraged her studies. But as she learned more about the intersection of gender issues and humanitarian aid, she also realized how far there was to go.
“As a black woman, as a Kenyan, as a woman living in this continent, I don’t feel safe,” she said. “Being [economically empowered] does not make it any easier…there will always be reasons why a woman will become more vulnerable.”
For Sophia, International Women’s Day is about breaking the bias that enables violence against women to really persist, which is so often dismissed.
“When a crisis happens, often there’s a quick call to address that crisis,” Sophia said. “But then, sometimes the most significant impact—which is violence against women—could be forgotten or not treated with the same urgency.”
Or even with the same specificity.
“With issues of gender, we cannot forget the intersecting lenses,” Sophia said. “What an African woman is experiencing is not the same as what a white woman is experiencing. What a white woman with a disability is experiencing is different from what a white woman who doesn't have a disability is experiencing.”
As I spoke with Sophia, I gained a deeper understanding of the common situations she faces. She strives to empower women to stand up against gender-based violence, sexual harassment, community stigma, victim-blaming, and a host of other issues women face. And partnerships led by purpose, she said, are required to make a lasting impact.
Creating Powerful Change Through Purpose Partnerships
Sophia knows first-hand the importance of connecting with community members when starting any initiative. Building a network of trusted partners provides the insights and tools needed to create a comprehensive—and enduring—program.
“When we are [creating programs], we need to really engage with the community,” she said. This includes women and girls, men and boys, and people who work in various roles throughout the area. Asking for community input, Sophia noted, can help increase local engagement and hold people accountable.
Well before IRC programs are needed, the team strives to network in communities to build a greater sense of trust and foster relationships with local groups. Humanitarian organizations with community roots remain after IRC has gone, so it’s important to develop a collaborative workflow for lasting impact.
By eliciting input from the surrounding community, IRC is able to create programs built on trust, where women, in particular, can feel safe to receive support. These spaces are designed only for survivors—not perpetrators—in order to maintain credibility. As Sophia said, “If a survivor comes and finds you talking to a perpetrator, why would she trust you?”
Developing these safe spaces could not be made possible without the deep community ties IRC builds.
Amplifying Women’s Voices
“We keep talking about ‘women speak up, women speak out,’ but are we listening?”
When Sophia posed this question, I was left speechless. While we encourage women to advocate for themselves, how do we know they are being heard?
IRC’s efforts to uplift women’s voices worldwide gained momentum over this past year. The Listen Up! Project was developed based on feminist principles to amplify the voices of women and girls in humanitarian settings.
Sophia shared the inspiring stories of Jackie Letaru and Grace Muuduru, two women from northern Uganda who are making a difference by campaigning for women’s rights. Jackie has been fighting for girls’ rights in classrooms her entire life, and her dedication to ensuring women who experience sexual harassment know how to access services is admirable. Grace, who works with COSMESS to support refugees and Ugandan women in professional development, is also raising awareness about sexual harassment. Both women are now seen as activists in their communities and beyond.
By elevating the voices of women like Jackie and Grace, IRC ensures they are seen, acknowledged, and remembered. Their stories can make a difference, and Sophia has witnessed their power personally and professionally.
Igniting Change Together
Sophia acknowledged that her work is far from over—and that the only way to effect change is to continue to move forward, encourage women to stand up against violence, and keep fighting.
“For me, International Women’s Day means remembering to really do our best to create a better environment for women, so that each and every woman can really enjoy her basic rights,” she said.
Women like Sophia are not only impacting change—they’re creating it. Join the IRC in honoring aid workers who continue to step up for women and girls in urgent need by affirming your support. You can also help IRC provide critical assistance to displaced families in countries like Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen by making an emergency donation today.
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