Linda Kroeger- the Polymath feminist

Linda Kroeger is a human rights lawyer and pan-African feminist passionate about women’s rights and gender equality. She’s the interim Co-Director of Policy and Communications at Womankind Worldwide and recalls her earliest memories of feminism from her upbringing where she used poetry to express herself as a feminist.  

As an activist in the women’s rights space, she’s worked on different facets of social justice  such as women’s participation and leadership and gender-based violence. She’s leveraged on feminist theories and approaches to disrupt oppression and inequality through advocacy and media. 

Where would you cluster yourself in the feminist space? Are you an igniter, disrupter, defender, front-liner or sister? 

I am a Polymath. In my journey I have manifested ignition, disruption, defense and front-line work across different initiatives. Through my writings and poetry for example, I identify myself as a disruptor, in my legal work I am a defender across a broad range of human rights issues. 

Would you share with us some of your milestones and contributions in the feminism movement? 

As a human rights lawyer I have interacted with various issues, but I’d like to spotlight a particular case where we supported a girl who was experiencing abuse emotionally, physically and mentally. While addressing this issue I witnessed systemic oppression and how it manifests in the lives of young women and girls.  

The one thing that stood out for me is that in such experiences- it’s instrumental to work as a community in solidarity and use an intersectional lens to support survivors of gender-based violence. It also reminded me we still have a long way to go in dismantling systems and structures of patriarchy and how they manifest in the lives of women and girls in all their diversities. 

I’ve also had my work published to influence through academic thought-leadership in the feminism movement. From sharing African experiences to bringing to life the contribution of African feminists such as my grandmothers in the liberation struggle in Kenya – I am excited to add my voice to this critical work. And carry on in solidarity the work of these feminists on this Africa Day. 

What are you celebrating on this Africa Day? OR Who are you celebrating on this Africa Day? 

 I am celebrating my heritage as an African woman and the bountiful nature of our existence as persons of African descent- from the concept and practice of Ubuntu to the flavour of life in our cultures and our beauty as Africans.  

I’d also like to celebrate my two great grandmothers who were in Kenya’s Mau Mau movement. Cionina a Maasai mid-wife, and the “Wa-Gacihi” an oath-giver and warrior in the MauMau. It gives me pride that I come from a strong heritage of matriarchs and patriarchs which contributes to my lived experience as an African feminist.  

What would you like to reiterate in this year’s Africa day in relation to gender equality? And what’s your ideal Africa when it comes to realizing gender equality 

To all people of African descent, I’d like to remind us that we are capable and have the power to thrive in all spheres of life. The tenets of equality and justice are rooted in our culture- and you’ll see this across many communities within the continent. 

I dream of a decolonised Africa bustling with economic growth, a sense of dignity for every African, and that all women and girls are treated equal with joy and love.   

Any special quote from feminist sisters or feminist respected leaders that you’d like to highlight on this Africa Day? 

Maya Angelou: “Love liberates. It doesn’t bind. Love says, I love you. I love you if you’re in China. I love you if you’re across town. I love you if you’re in Harlem. I love you. I would like to be near you. I’d like to have your arms around me. I’d like to hear your voice in my ear. But that’s not possible now, so I love you. Go.”