Doreen Majala is a Kenyan lawyer, ADR Practitioner and former News Personality. She formerly worked for the Nation Media Group as a news anchor and show host.
As the executive chairperson of the Doreen Majala Foundation, she spearheads overall direction of the organization by providing leadership and governance.
In 2015, Doreen embarked on a research tour to remote villages across Kenya to gather findings on the day to day challenges faced by the people in accessing quality education, participation and active performance of girl child education and women economic empowerment. She was inspired to work towards improving the livelihoods through sustainable development
In 2019, Doreen transitioned from the media to focus on her legal career and the foundation’s work where she pursues her work in community development focusing on quality education, participation and active performance of girl child education and women economic empowerment in rural communities across Kenya.
As an advocate for community development, Doreen has partnered with various organizations and supported community initiatives to improve community development. In 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic, her foundation partnered with community tailors at The Billian Leadership and Resource Center in the Mathare informal settlement in Nairobi to produce masks to schools where over 500 students across Kenya benefited. The foundation continues to support community causes among then youth groups. She was recently nominated for the Education Advocate of the Year at the East Africa Woman of Excellence Awards 2024, recognizing her advocacy works in championing Education.
Away from Philanthropy, she runs a mediation practice in Nairobi, Resolution Chambers, LLC a group of professional accredited mediators specializing in resolving conflict and dispute management services.
Doreen, your career has spanned journalism, law, and philanthropy. Can you share what initially inspired you to pursue such a diverse career path?
Thank you for having me on this platform. We live in a dynamic world where change is constant. Crafting one’s own path determines adaptability in an ever-evolving world. Being a versatile professional has its advantages and drawbacks; it requires focus and discipline. My passion for journalism dates back to high school when I was a member of the Journalism Club, whose objective was to inform and educate fellow students. This role entailed research, scripting, and presentation, and it was then that I decided to pursue journalism. However, over time, I developed an interest in law, inspired by the desire to fight against injustice and protect fundamental human rights. Law and media operate in tandem; both fields require analytical, research, and communication skills, which I have used to build my niche in both. It’s been four years since I left media to pursue my legal career and community service through the foundation. My journey in community service began in 2012 while I was a law student at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, where I actively engaged in community causes throughout law school. In 2015, I embarked on a research mission to remote villages across Kenya to investigate issues related to access to quality education, the participation and performance of girls in education, and women’s economic empowerment.
Can you elaborate on the mission and vision of the Doreen Majala Foundation? What motivated you to start the foundation?
The motivation behind the foundation is to improve the livelihoods of grassroots communities, especially in ASAL (Arid and Semi-Arid Lands) areas. DMF’s vision is to see empowered, progressive, and healthy grassroots communities through programs that promote sustainable development.
During your research tour in 2015, what were some of the key challenges you discovered regarding girls’ education and women’s economic empowerment?
Barriers to girls’ access to quality education remain a challenge. Sociocultural, economic, and environmental factors continue to hinder progress in breaking the cycles of poverty, FGM, and child marriages. The foundation’s program, Beyond Pink, advocates for girls’ participation in education while addressing these challenges through community civic education, mentorship, and the provision of sanitary towels. In addressing challenges faced by women, it is vital to recognize that women globally remain key contributors to economies and sustainable families, yet still struggle with gender inequality. Empowering women is crucial for inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Through its program, Woman 360, DMF advocates for women’s economic empowerment by equipping women with training, resources, and platforms to create employment and generate sustainable livelihoods. We’re focused on putting money in women’s pockets!
Being nominated for the Education Advocate of the Year at the East Africa Woman of Excellence Awards is a significant achievement. How does it feel to be recognized in this way, and what does it mean for your ongoing work?
I was honored to be nominated for the award among so many other phenomenal women making a difference on various platforms. This recognition encouraged my team and me to continue pursuing our vision.
How do you perceive the current state of gender equality and women’s empowerment in Africa, and what improvements are still needed?
The world has made strides toward gender equality; however, we aren’t there yet, especially considering that women and girls make up half of the world’s population. Imagine the impact of that number reaching its full potential. The push for equality remains essential. Fundamental rights for women, food security, social protection, access to equitable resources, and healthcare are still priorities.
What future projects or goals does the Doreen Majala Foundation have, and how do you plan to achieve them?
We continue working toward improving livelihoods at the grassroots level by strengthening community outreach, providing infrastructure such as reading rooms in schools to encourage literacy, and creating more economic opportunities for women. The foundation is open to partnerships to further develop our communities.
