Gloria Kathure: From Rural Roots to Global Advocacy – A Journey of Youth Empowerment, Women’s Leadership, and Sustainable Development

 

By Wasike Elvis 

  In the quiet corners of rural Kenya, where access to information and opportunities can be scarce, Gloria Kathure discovered the challenges that would later shape her life’s work. Today, she stands as a beacon of hope for young people, women, and communities striving for inclusion, education, and sustainable development.

Kathure’s story begins in a small village where opportunities “rarely reached us,” she recalls. Growing up, she often felt left behind—not because of a lack of talent, but because crucial information about scholarships, internships, and leadership programs simply never reached her community. These experiences instilled a deep sense of responsibility and a desire to create pathways for others.

“I always felt like I was meant to be some sort of voice bearer—the one who holds the mic, asks the difficult questions, and steps forward on behalf of those who cannot,” Kathure explains.

This calling led her into a journey of advocacy that spans local, national, and global initiatives.

Bridging the Gap: Youth Opportunities in Kenya

As the Country Ambassador for Youth Opportunities in Kenya, Kathure focuses on ensuring that young people no longer miss out on opportunities due to lack of information. Through her role, she facilitates access to scholarships, internships, fellowships, jobs, and programs, leveraging the organization’s website and app to break down barriers.

“I know the pain of discovering an opportunity too late,” she says. “I know what it feels like to be full of potential but completely unaware of the doors available to you.”

Kathure’s work also involves partnering with institutions to host events and activities that raise awareness, create visibility, and encourage participation among youth. She believes that young people deserve spaces where their voices are not just heard but valued in shaping their futures.

Advocating for Education: Global Impact

Education, Kathure emphasizes, is the foundation upon which communities thrive. As a Global Youth Ambassador for Education with TheirWorld, she champions accessible, safe, and supportive learning environments, particularly for rural children, girls, and vulnerable learners.

“Growing up, I saw how education transforms lives and how its absence limits entire families,” she says.

Through this role, Kathure has amplified conversations around inclusive education, pushing for systemic reforms that ensure no child is left behind because of geography, gender, or socio-economic status.

A Voice for Sustainability

Kathure’s advocacy extends beyond education and youth access to environmental stewardship. As a UPG Sustainability Champion, she engages with global advocates to promote climate action and community responsibility.

“Sustainability is not just a global conversation—it’s a community responsibility that affects the lives of young people today and the generations that will come after us,” she notes.

Her work connects the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with practical local action, demonstrating that development must value both people and the planet simultaneously.

Breaking Barriers: Women’s Empowerment and Leadership

Kathure’s commitment to women’s empowerment stems from personal experience. In university, she became the first female to serve in a traditionally male-held leadership position, navigating challenges that gave her a practical understanding of gender inequality in leadership spaces.

“It strengthened my mission to help young women lead with confidence and to speak boldly where they once felt outnumbered,” she reflects.

Through participatory theater and civic education programs, Kathure has empowered young women to claim space, voice their opinions, and contribute meaningfully to leadership and policy development. Her artistic approach underscores her belief that talent, creativity, and confidence can drive social change.

Community Service and Compassion in Action

For Kathure, advocacy is not only about policies and leadership—it is also about compassion and practical support. She has actively participated in community outreach and charitable missions, supporting vulnerable populations, including street families.

“True impact is rooted in caring for people who need to feel seen and valued,” she says.

These experiences reinforce her understanding that empowerment encompasses both structural change and direct, human-centered action.

A Mission Anchored in Purpose

Gloria Kathure’s journey is deeply personal and profoundly connected to her early experiences. Every initiative she undertakes is motivated by the realities she once faced: lack of access, limited educational opportunities, environmental vulnerability, and underrepresentation of youth and women in leadership.

“I speak about access because I lived through the consequences of not having it. I speak about education because I witnessed what it can do in rural communities. I speak about sustainability because it affects every young person’s future. I speak about leadership because I know what representation does for confidence. I speak about women’s empowerment because I understand the weight of breaking barriers in male-dominated spaces,” she explains.

Kathure’s overarching mission remains unwavering: to create spaces where young people and women are included in decision-making, policy development, and community leadership. She envisions a Kenya—and a world—where opportunity, education, and representation are available to all, and where youth and women can contribute confidently, meaningfully, and sustainably.

As Gloria Kathure continues to champion youth empowerment, women’s leadership, and the SDGs, her story remains a compelling example of how lived experience can fuel transformative change. From her rural roots to global advocacy platforms, she embodies the belief that leadership, access, and purpose can ripple across communities, shaping a more inclusive and equitable future for generations to come.