human rights Advocate's Journey: Making a Difference
tonny olela
Youth Advisory Panel UNFPA Kenya | TEDx Speaker| SDG Advocate | Design Thinking, Human Centered Design (HCD) Trainer | SRHR, Gender & Development Practitioner | Sign Language Interpreter
Tonny Olela is a seasoned advocate with a strong background in youth policy, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and gender issues. Over the course of his career, he has collaborated with community-based organizations, international entities, and UN agencies, demonstrating his expertise in program development, partnership building, strategic communication, advocacy, and community development initiatives. With over five years of progressive experience, Tonny has excelled in advocacy, program administration, peer mentorship, and public policy, showcasing his passion for gender advocacy, leadership, and good governance.
Currently, Tonny holds a significant role as a member of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Kenya Youth Advisory Panel (YAP), where he plays a pivotal role in advising country offices to incorporate and empower young people in their programs. Additionally, he volunteers as a partnership and managing director at The Polly Foundation, a community-based organization in Siaya County, where he actively engages in various community activities, including intergenerational dialogues, environmental conservation, and sustainable organic farming. His dedication to environmental causes earned him recognition as the best young Ecosystem Restoration champion in 2021.
Tonny has also served in key roles such as Regional Program Coordinator at the Kenya KECTIL Center for Youth Excellence and Communication Strategist for Stowelink, as well as JOOUST University-Clubs Program Coordinator. In 2022, he was elected as the Undersecretary Head of Administration for the Global Youth Consortium Against FGM, a UNFPA-UNICEF joint program spanning 55 countries, where he mobilizes and engages youth advocates globally and designs economic empowerment programs for marginalized women while strengthening their knowledge in areas related to gender-based violence (GBV) and women's rights.
Tonny's innovative mindset was instrumental in training young innovators for the Kectil Community Kenya "Innovation by Design Thinking for Sustainable Development" program, which resulted in a team from St. Paul's University Eco-Bana winning the 2022 Hult Prize Challenge with their "EcoBana Biodegradable Sanitary Towels" project, securing $1 million USD for their endeavor. Additionally, Tonny has actively participated in high-level panel discussions as a panelist, rapporteur, and moderator on national, regional, and global platforms. His ongoing pilot project, the "tree seedling and pad drive," focuses on grassroots dialogues related to gender equality and health, benefitting thousands of girls and teen mothers in marginalized communities across Kenya.
education
Communication Skills