Domtila Chesang

“I come from a community where girls were expected to stay silent, but I chose to speak up. I believe championing women’s and girls’ rights and empowerment is not a project, it’s a shared responsibility and a lifelong commitment. I_Rep Foundation is an embodiment of what I believe in, my personal call to action, built from lived experience, shaped by resilience, and driven by a vision for a just, safe, and thriving society where dignity and rights are non-negotiable.”

Domtila Chesang is the Founder and Director of I_Rep Foundation, a grassroots organization based in West Pokot County, Kenya, a region where the prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains alarmingly high, with rates exceeding the national statistics of 15% and reaching up to 100% in some remote villages.

A trained high school teacher by profession, Domtila chose to leave the classroom to become a full-time girls’ rights defender. Her decision to walk away from a traditional career path reflects her deep commitment to ending harmful practices and ensuring that girls and women live free from violence, fear, and discrimination.

Domtila is widely recognized both locally and internationally for her dedicated activism and community-based advocacy. Her courage, determination, and impact have earned her several prestigious awards and honors. Among these awards include the Presidential Head of State commendation HSC (2020), Human Rights Defender (2019), African Youth Leader (2018) and the Queen’s Young Leader Award (2017). She continues to lead I_Rep Foundation with vision and purpose, amplifying the voices of girls, building bridges for change, and challenging social norms that deny women and girls their rights.