Driven by Purpose. Powered by Young Women
Our Story
In 2016, Irise Institute East Africa (IIEA) emerged as a beacon of change, a testament to the power of grassroots initiatives driven by the passion and dedication of young women. These visionary founders recognized the multifaceted challenges that women and girls faced in their communities, and they set out to address them head-on.
Our Vision & Mission
Vision
A world where women and girls have equitable access to health, education and opportunities to thrive in life
Mission
Empowering women and girls in communities to take charge of their health, education, and well-being, by advancing menstrual health and hygiene, strengthening grassroots networks, and advocating for evidence-informed and integrated approach to systems and policies.
Our Core Values
These values guide our decisions, partnerships, and impact as we work towards a more equal world.
Dignity & Respect
We value and respect every person’s strength, experiences, and voice by creating inclusive and participatory spaces.
Mutual Trust
We foster transparency, reliability, and shared accountability to strengthen collaboration with communities, partners, and each other.
Driven by Passion
We are committed to justice, equity, and meaningful change, channeling our passion into persistent action and hope for a better world.
Accountability & Integrity
We remain accountable to the communities we serve and uphold ethical principles that guide our decisions, actions, and use of resources.
Innovation with Grounding
We pursue creative, evidence-based solutions shaped by local context, lived experience, and sustainable impact.
Guiding Principles
Principles that ground our work in collaboration, inclusion, and collective action.
Sustainability through Collaborative and Integrative Approach
We believe lasting impact is achieved not in isolation, but by weaving our efforts into the social, economic, and ecological fabric of a place.
This core principle is realised through three key anchors of our work:
Community-Powered Collaboration
We ensure community priorities, knowledge, and leadership drive every initiative. Our role is to facilitate and co-create solutions where community agency is guiding the work we do.
Collective Power over Individual Effort
We recognise and celebrate the strength of movements, networks, and coalitions to tackle systemic challenges no single actor can solve alone. By uniting diverse grassroots partners with intentionality, we amplify our collective impact beyond the reach of any individual effort.
Feminist Praxis in Action
We apply a feminist lens to all our work, challenging power structures and inequality. This means centering the voices of women and girls, redistributing power and resources, and fostering inclusive partnerships.
Place-Based Approach to Learning and Working
We believe that one-size-fits-all solutions can be reductionist and colonial in nature. We ground our strategies in the history, culture, people, and ecology of a place. We commit to deep listening and adaptive learning, ensuring our work is contextually relevant and responsive.
Place-Based Approach to Learning and Working
We believe that one-size-fits-all solutions can be reductionist and colonial in nature. We ground our strategies in the history, culture, people, and ecology of a place. We commit to deep listening and adaptive learning, ensuring our work is contextually relevant and responsive
Our Broad Goals
Goal 1
Increase access to menstrual health information, products, and services for school-going girls, while demystifying harmful cultural norms associated with period stigma in East African communities.
Goal 2
Build authentic leadership capacities for in-school girls through structured mentorship and leadership development programmes.
Goal 3
Increase girls’ and young women’s participation in shaping menstrual health policy agendas and advancing evidence-based programming.
Goal 4
Promote economic independence for marginalized young women through improved livelihoods and strong network systems.
Our
Strategic
Plan
Our Strategic Plan
Our strategic plan guides the long-term vision and priorities of Irise Institute East Africa as we work to advance menstrual health, gender equality, and leadership opportunities for girls and young women across East Africa.
Our Leadership
IIEA is guided by a diverse and experienced leadership structure that ensures strategic direction, accountability, and programme excellence
Chairperson
Vice Chairperson
Member
Treasurer
Secretary
Board Chairperson
Lillian Bagala
Regional Director
Helliot Opyem
Vice Chairperson
Namara Babrah
Programs Manager
Elizabeth Kaitesi
Senior Communications, Partnerships, Advocacy & TPEN Coordinator
Namumbya Sarah
Program Officer Menstrual Health & Products
Joyce Akello
Program Assistant Menstrual Health & Products
Georgina Asizu
Program Officer Communications, Partnerships & Advocacy
Noel Lynn Epilaoketa
Program Assistant/Menstrual Justice Project Coordinator
Be Part of the Change
We are building a strong network of leaders, advocates, researchers, and programme professionals working toward menstrual dignity and gender equality.
