Career
editDemere Kitunga has worked in the world of literature as an author, translator, and Publisher. In 2007, Kitunga co-founded E&D Readership and Development Agency, a non-profit aimed at encouraging literacy, scholarship, and storytelling in Tanzania. This agency works alongside E&D Vision Publishing, where Kitunga has also supported Tanzanian authors. In 2004, she wrote the book Lupompo and the Baby Monkey. She continued her journey in print by translating the book “When Trees Walked ” into her native language Swahili. [1]
Advocacy
editDemere Kitunga is a human rights activist, literary activist, and feminist who uses her job as a writer to promote reading as a way to educate and empower. Kitunga's agency, E&D Readership, and Development, was founded with a feminist perspective, emphasizing gender equality and cultural upliftment. E&D Readership and Development works to produce books that reflect these values. Kitunga uses her agency to encourage reading culture in Tanzania and to shine a light on the importance of readership for Tanzanian youth. The organization also prioritizes research to illustrate the importance of reading, writing, and creativity for children in Tanzania. She advocates through mentoring and is a founding member of the Tanzania Gender Networking Programme which helps promote gender equality in Tanzania. [2]
Demere Kitunga is a Tanzanian feminist, publisher, and literacy advocate known for her work in promoting feminist ideology, social change, and literacy as tools for empowerment. She is the founder of Soma, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering a reading culture through initiatives such as the Soma Book Café, a hub for learning, dialogue, and cultural exchange. Kitunga's activism extends to creating platforms like Vavagaa, which challenges patriarchal norms and promotes gender equality through storytelling and community engagement.[3][4]
As a mentor and writer, Kitunga has contributed to various literary and feminist collectives, including the Waka Poetry Consortium and Kisima cha Mashairi. Her work emphasizes the importance of creating inclusive spaces for dialogue, critical thinking, and grassroots organizing to bridge digital divides and address issues such as bodily autonomy, reproductive rights, and societal inequities.[4][5]
Her career reflects a commitment to feminist principles, integrating these values into her publishing endeavors, mentorship programs, and community initiatives. Kitunga's efforts aim to inspire transformative social change by empowering individuals to challenge oppressive systems and reimagine societal structures.[3][5]
.
 | This is a draft article. It is a work in progress open to editing by anyone. Please ensure core content policies are met before publishing it as a live Wikipedia article. Find sources: Google (books · news · scholar · free images · WP refs) · FENS · JSTOR · TWL Last edited by Atlanta2004 (talk | contribs) 21 seconds ago. (Update)
Finished drafting? or |
Early Life
editKaylyn Freeman
Personal Life-Emilomo
editBibliography
editKaylyn Freeman
- ^ "Demere Kitunga". Barranca Press. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ^ "Demere Kitunga » African Feminist Forum". African Feminist Forum. 2016-03-24. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ^ a b Francis, Lukelo (2023-06-13). "Vavagaa: A Feminist Storytelling Platform Seeking to Disrupt Tired Narratives - The Chanzo". Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ a b "Demere Kitunga » African Feminist Forum". African Feminist Forum. 2016-03-24. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ a b badilisha-content (2016-01-31). "Demere Kitunga | Badilisha Poetry – Pan-African Poets". badilishapoetry.com. Retrieved 2024-11-17.