Jackline Saleiyan OGW address during IWD2025 celebrations: IWD 2025./HANDOUT
As the world marks Africa Youth Month, one young Kenyan continues to draw national attention for the impact of her work rather than the weight of her titles.
At 34, Jackline Saleiyan OGW has become a symbol of youthful leadership grounded in community service, resilience and purpose.
From a single pack to a national movement
Jackline is the Founder of A Pack A Month, known widely as APAM. Her work began with a simple mission: to restore dignity to adolescent girls and young mothers through menstrual health support.
What started as a small
community outreach has since grown into a national effort that has reached
thousands of girls in several counties.
Her team has distributed tens of thousands of sanitary pads and supported more than forty adolescent mothers.
APAM has also launched what is described as Kenya’s first youth-led free daycare supporting babies of teenage mothers affected by sexual and gender-based violence. Through this model, young mothers continue schooling or training while their children receive care.
Jackline Saleiyan OGW issuing graduation certificate to one of the beads for pads in March 2025./HANDOUT
The approach not only generates income, but also builds confidence and creates a pathway to stability.
“We started small, but our purpose was big—to make dignity a right, not a privilege,” Jackline says.
A global voice with grassroots roots
Jackline’s rise from a community volunteer to a national award recipient has been driven by consistency and a clear focus on the needs of girls and young mothers. In 2024, she received the Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya for her contribution to gender equality and youth empowerment.
Jackline Saleiyan OGW at the UN Summit of the future in September 2024,/HANDOUT
She was named among the Top 50 African Women in Development and was nominated for the Tallberg Foundation Global Leadership Award.
She has also been recognised as Mwanamke Bomba and as a Covid-19 hero
for supporting last-mile access to sanitary towels.
Her leadership extends beyond APAM. Jackline is the youngest board member of the Kenya Alliance for the Advancement of Children’s Rights, where she contributes to national advocacy on youth participation, gender equality, and children’s welfare.
She also serves as secretary to the Kajiado North Election Preparedness Committee, among other public-service roles.
Her influence has now crossed borders. She is spoke at the 7th International Perinatal Psychology Conference in Milan, Italy on November 22, 2025. The event was themed “Becoming Parents in Adolescence”.
The appearance and her speech at the event placed her voice on a global platform at a time when conversations around adolescent parenthood, mental health, and gender equity are gaining international urgency.
“When I speak internationally, I carry the voices of girls, mothers, and communities that raised me,” she says.
“Their dreams deserve to be heard.”
Rooted in learning, driven by purpose
Jackline’s approach to leadership is shaped by her educational journey. She studied Communication at Daystar University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and Marketing.
She later earned an Executive Diploma in Humanitarian Diplomacy and Executive Etiquette from the International College of Peace, followed by a Middle Officer Certificate from the Kenya School of Government in Prevention and Control of Violent Extremism.
This mix of communication skills, humanitarian training and peacebuilding experience has helped her navigate community challenges while engaging policymakers.
It has also strengthened her ability to communicate the realities of girls and young mothers to national and international audiences.
Through APAM, she collaborates with organisations such as The Priceless Project in the United States, The HELPS Organisation, CEWAS and the Kajiado County Government.
These partnerships focus on menstrual dignity, economic empowerment and climate action.
“Leadership is not about age or title,” she says. “It’s about vision and service. If they won’t give you a seat at the table, build your own table.”
Championing dignity and peace
Jackline’s mantra, “No Pads. No Dignity. No Peace.”, has become a central message in her work. She links menstrual health to education, stability and human rights.
Her approach argues that when girls have the supplies they need, they are more likely to stay in school, avoid exploitation and participate fully in social and economic activities.
Her message reached an even wider audience during her address at the United Nations Summit of the Future in 2024. She spoke on the link between dignity and peace, drawing attention to the role of menstrual health in strengthening communities.
Her peace advocacy gained momentum during the 2022 election season. She led the A Pack for Peace campaign, which used sanitary towel distribution drives as a platform for peace messaging targeting girls and women. Many of these groups are often affected by electoral tension and violence.
The campaign earned her recognition as the Kajiado Peace Champion by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission in partnership with UNDP.
“When a girl can go to school without shame, peace is present. When a mother can work knowing her child is cared for, peace is present,” she says.
A young leader making her mark
At 34, Jackline represents a growing generation of young Kenyans shaping the country through innovation, empathy, and service. Her work shows how youth leadership can influence policy, inspire communities and build momentum behind long-term social change.
Her journey has been marked by personal commitment rather than privilege. She continues to spend time in communities, speaking with young mothers, girls and local leaders. Those who have engaged with her efforts describe her as determined, grounded and focused on sustainability rather than short-term visibility.
Jackline’s achievements are significant, but she often redirects attention to the communities she serves. “Every award I hold belongs to the girls we serve,” she says. “They are the real heroes.”
As Africa Youth Month draws attention to the role of young people in shaping the continent’s future, Jackline Saleiyan OGW stands out as part of a new wave of youth leaders redefining service, dignity and empowerment.
Through A Pack A Month, Jackline received the Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya in 2024, was listed among the Top 50 African Women in Development, nominated for the Tallberg Global Leadership Award.
