Charlene Chekenya, Zimbabwe
Charlene Chekenya is a student at Chinhoyi University Of Technology studying for a Bachelor Of Science degree in Creative Art and Design. This path of study gave birth to a successful business in the production of fashion accessories from recycled and java materials. She is an advocate for the economic and educational opportunities of young women and girls in rural and marginalized communities through an organization she founded, STAND Foundation. Charlene has been recognized for her work in empowering young women and girls through dialogue sessions on women's and girls' rights, sanitary distributions, self defense lessons, and mentorship. She draws inspiration from a gender-based violence ordeal she has openly spoken about as a way of building up confidence of other young women and girls. She launched an initiative called Orange Cup in 10 communities as a socialization strategy, appealing to men to participate in the "End Violence Against Women and Girls" campaign. Charlene is also a Rotarian and a facilitator for the Voices against Violence curriculum under the World Association of Girl Guides and Scouts. After the fellowship, she hopes to return home and create sustainable social security systems to support young women and girls in vulnerable and marginalized communities