Ketty Nivyabandi (born 1978) is a

Burundi Burundi (, ), officially the Republic of Burundi ( rn, Repuburika y’Uburundi ; Swahili language, Swahili: ''Jamuhuri ya Burundi''; French language, French: ''République du Burundi'' ), is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley at the ...

an poet and

human rights activist A human rights defender or human rights activist is a person who, individually or with others, acts to promote or protect human rights. They can be journalists, environmentalists, whistleblowers, trade unionists, lawyers, teachers, housing campai ...

living in

exile Exile is primarily penal expulsion from one's native country, and secondarily expatriation or prolonged absence from one's homeland under either the compulsion of circumstance or the rigors of some high purpose. Usually persons and peoples suf ...

in Canada.

Biography

She was born in Belgium and grew up in

Bujumbura, Burundi Bujumbura (; ), formerly Usumbura, is the economic capital, largest city and main port of Burundi. It ships most of the country's chief export, coffee, as well as cotton and tin ore. Bujumbura was formerly the country's normal capital. In late ...

, where she studied

International Relations International relations (IR), sometimes referred to as international studies and international affairs, is the scientific study of interactions between sovereign states. In a broader sense, it concerns all activities between states—such as ...

and worked as a journalist. Her French-language poetry has appeared in literary magazines such as ''

World Literature Today ''World Literature Today'' is an American magazine of international literature and culture, published at the University of Oklahoma. The stated goal of the magazine is to publish international essays, poetry, fiction, interviews, and book review ...

'' and ''

Words Without Borders ''Words Without Borders'' (''WWB'') is an international magazine open to international exchange through translation, publication, and promotion of the world's best writing and authors who are not easily accessible to English-speaking readers. The ...

'', and in anthologies including ''We Have Crossed Many Rivers: New Poetry from Africa'' (2012) and

Margaret Busby Margaret Yvonne Busby, , Hon. FRSL (born 1944), also known as Nana Akua Ackon, is a Ghanaian-born publisher, editor, writer and broadcaster, resident in the UK. She was Britain's youngest and first black female book publisherJazzmine Breary"Let' ...

's ''

New Daughters of Africa ''Daughters of Africa: An International Anthology of Words and Writings by Women of African Descent from the Ancient Egyptian to the Present'' is a compilation of orature and literature by more than 200 women from Africa and the African diaspora, ...

'' (2019). In 2012 Nivyabandi represented Burundi in the London Poetry Parnassus as part of the

Summer Olympics The Summer Olympic Games (french: link=no, Jeux olympiques d'été), also known as the Games of the Olympiad, and often referred to as the Summer Olympics, is a major international multi-sport event normally held once every four years. The inau ...

. Nivyabandi became an activist during Burundi's constitutional crisis of 2015. She led Burundi's first women-only protest and was a founding member of the Women and Girls Movement for Peace and Security in Burundi. She was forced to flee the country when she was targeted by the government. She has testified before the

House of Commons of Canada The House of Commons of Canada (french: Chambre des communes du Canada) is the lower house of the Parliament of Canada. Together with the Crown and the Senate of Canada, they comprise the bicameral legislature of Canada. The House of Common ...

's Subcommittee on International Human Rights on human rights violations in Burundi, and regularly speaks on human rights, especially women's rights and the effects of conflict on women's lives. In 2016 she was included in

Kate Schatz Kate Schatz is an American feminist writer, public speaker, activist, and educator. Along with Emmy-winning director W. Kamau Bell she co-authored ''Do the Work: An Antiracist Activity Book'' that was published by Workman in 2022. It spent 3 weeks ...

's ''Rad Women Worldwide''. In 2017, Nivyabandi joined the staff of the Nobel Women's Initiative as a Media Associate. In March 2019 she was a speaker at the

Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy The Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy is an annual human rights summit sponsored by a coalition of 20 non-governmental organizations. Each year, on the eve of the United Nations Human Rights Council's main annual session, activists from a ...

. She has been appointed as the Secretary General of

Amnesty International Amnesty International (also referred to as Amnesty or AI) is an international non-governmental organization focused on human rights, with its headquarters in the United Kingdom. The organization says it has more than ten million members and sup ...

Canada (English-Speaking Branch) in 2020, succeeding

Alex Neve Robert Alexander Neve, Order of Canada, OC (born May 24, 1962) is a Canadians, Canadian human rights activist and the secretary general of Amnesty International Canada. Born in Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, the son of Robert Rex Neve and Jean Eliza ...

. Presently, Nivyabandi resides and works in

Ottawa Ottawa (, ; Canadian French: ) is the capital city of Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River in the southern portion of the province of Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the core ...

, Canada.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Nivyabandi, Ketty 1978 births Burundian women Burundian writers Burundian women writers Burundian human rights activists Burundian women activists Canadian women poets Belgian women poets Living people