In Kilifi County, Kenya, Patricia Loko Mutua stands as a symbol of resilience. She played a key role in securing a landmark 10-year prison sentence in 2024, in a case involving the prolonged sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl. In a country where impunity for sexual violence is widespread, the 10-year sentence marked a rare and powerful victory - creating a judicial precedent, hope and momentum. A survivor herself, Patricia channels her experience into grassroots activism - supporting women and girls, advancing sustainable livelihoods, and challenging harmful gender norms. She ensured the survivor in this case received counselling, safe shelter, and protection from media exposure, while personally guiding the family through the justice system. Her work is courageous and high-risk, and Patricia implements a security strategy to avoid retaliation. Her work with various groups has rescued many women from sexual violence and child marriages. Patricia is a member of PBI Kenya’s Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) Toolkit Organizers’ Network. The Network launched in 2016 to connect and strengthen women defenders. Grassroots activists were already doing vital work to combat violence against women and girls but were often isolated, facing attacks, under resourced, and unsupported. The network created a trusted space for solidarity, peer learning, and collective action - enabling women defenders to share strategies, create community-based support systems, build their capacity, manage security risks, document threats, and seek redress for violations. What began with 15 women in Nairobi has now expanded to Kilifi County and beyond, growing into a powerful movement of local trainers and leaders who are driving change from the ground up. Through this network, defenders like Patricia have gained contacts, skills, credibility, and the strength of collective support. PBI supports women defenders across the world, who, like Patricia, create real change in their communities and seminal results in the courts in favour of gender justice and women’s rights.
