Dr. Salome Mbugua

Dr. Salome Mbugua is a researcher, gender equality activist and human right advocate. She is the CEO of AkiDwA -The Migrant Women’s Network Ireland and has over 20 years’ experience of working with under-represented groups in particular women, children, and the youth, in Europe, Africa and internationally.

Since 2015 she has been supporting the development of Wezesha, an African Diaspora led-development organisation supporting women and children who are affected, or are likely to be affected by conflicts, violence, war and poverty, with piloting projects in Kenya and the DRC. Through this organisation, Dr Mbugua has been working with members of the African Diaspora in Ireland and has conducted research with women from armed conflict countries living in Ireland and the African Diaspora in Ireland to inform policy and the work of the organisation in general.

Her strong belief in equality and justice has shaped her career, leading to engagement with policy makers in Ireland, Europe and at International level. She serves at various advisory committee, expert groups and boards in Ireland and at European level. Dr Mbugua is the co-president of European Network of migrant women and sits on the expert group on violence against women with European Women’s Lobby, and the EU expert group on economic migration.

In Sept 2018 she was appointed by the Tánaiste to chair the working group developing Ireland 3rd National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security. She serves as the chair of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion project board with Public Appointment Services. She is 2015 OHCHR-UN Fellow of people of African Descent and 2010 Eisenhower Fellow on Women’s Leadership.

Dr Mbugua holds a Doctorate from Trinity College Dublin with her research focusing on integrating women into peacebuilding in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a specific case study of Goma. She also holds a master’s degree in Equality Studies from UCD.