Maureen Olyaro is a gender and and development expert with over 12 years of experience working in gender and women empowerment in Africa. She is passionate about gender transformative approaches and using both structural and individual level analyses to challenge systemic inequalities using an intersectional feminist lens. I have experience in movement strengthening in Africa, supporting Women Rights Organizations (WROs) to effectively conduct policy influencing and advocacy for greater outcomes on gender equality.

Maureen is a holder of a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Economics from Kenyatta University and is currently finalizing a master’s in public health from Moi University. She is a commonwealth professional fellowship fellow with certificates in advocacy and policy influencing gender and research.

Maureen has previously worked for Amref Health Africa from 2003-2015 in various roles including as a Regional Project Officer supporting multi-country SRHR, Gender and Maternal and Child Health Projects. From 2015 to 2019 she worked at Christian Aid Kenya where she held various roles including Program Manager-Health, country Program Manager as well as Acting Country Manager. She is currently working at the African Women’s Communication and Development Network as a Regional Project Manager leading the women’s movement strengthening work in Africa.