From family role model groups to workplace reform, one community leader is helping create lasting change for women, men, and families alike.
For Inyasious Inyani, gender equality is not simply a concept—it is something that must be practiced every day, in homes, workplaces, churches, and communities.
As a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, a church treasurer, and the chairman of a Family Role Model Group, he has spent years promoting fairness, respect, and shared responsibility. His work has taken him from community dialogues and refugee settlements to organizational policy discussions, always with the same goal: creating environments where women and men can thrive together.
His commitment to this work is deeply rooted in both his professional responsibilities and his personal convictions.
As a Protection Coordinator, promoting gender equality has long been part of his mandate. But his efforts extend far beyond his professional role. Recognizing the devastating impact of domestic violence on families and communities, Inyasious founded a community-based organization dedicated to preventing gender-based violence. Although the organization later evolved into family role model groups, the mission remained the same.
Today, these groups continue their work by engaging directly with families, conducting door-to-door outreach, and raising awareness in both local communities and the Palabek Refugee Settlement.
Over the years, his dedication has earned him the trust and respect of those around him.
Community members regularly seek his guidance, visiting his home to discuss challenges and ask for advice. Men, in particular, often approach him for mediation and support when facing difficulties in their relationships, reflecting the confidence many place in his judgment and leadership.
For Inyasious, this trust is built on listening, understanding, and helping people find solutions together.
One of the areas where he has made a particularly significant impact is women’s representation in leadership.
Through advocacy and sustained engagement, he helped increase women’s representation in leadership positions from just 15 percent to 47 percent, and later to 51 percent—bringing organizations closer to true gender parity.
At the same time, he has worked to strengthen workplace policies aimed at preventing sexual abuse and harassment, while continuing to advocate for women’s empowerment in both professional and community settings.
His work also focuses on challenging harmful social norms that contribute to inequality and violence.
By promoting shared decision-making within families, raising awareness about child marriage, and building the capacity of cultural, religious, and community leaders, Inyasious seeks to address the root causes of gender-based violence rather than only responding to its consequences.
He believes that when women and men are equally respected and involved in decision-making, families become stronger and communities become safer.
At home, he strives to model the same values he promotes publicly.
Family decisions are made together with his wife, household responsibilities are shared, and regular family meetings help ensure transparency and cooperation. Whether discussing finances, planning family activities, or dividing responsibilities, he believes equality begins with everyday actions.
His approach to community engagement reflects a similar philosophy.
Women are encouraged to participate through one-on-one discussions, experience sharing, and open forums where they can express their views and make decisions. Young people are motivated to develop their skills, participate in sports, and engage in activities that build confidence and leadership. With elders, he facilitates dialogue aimed at transforming cultural norms that may limit opportunities for women and girls.
These efforts are all guided by a belief that sustainable change requires the involvement of everyone.
When asked what motivates him to continue this work, Inyasious points to two important influences in his life.
The first is his mother, whose dedication and sacrifices helped support and raise the family. The second is his background as a former seminarian, where he learned the values of humility, reflection, and service to others.
Those lessons continue to guide his leadership today.
Whether working in communities, supporting families, or influencing organizational policies, Inyasious strives to lead by example. He believes integrity begins with self-respect, fairness, and treating others with dignity, regardless of gender or background.
His vision is simple but powerful: communities where women and men have equal opportunities, families work together as partners, and every individual can contribute their talents without barriers or discrimination.
The Jeremiah Lucas Opira Foundation and Northhood Production Initiative are proud to recognize Inyasious Inyani as one of the winners of the National Champions Advancing Inclusion Awards 2026. Through his leadership, advocacy, and commitment to empowering others, he is helping build stronger families, more inclusive institutions, and more equitable communities for future generations.