Atsango Chesoni is a celebrated lawyer and women’s rights activist. She is also a member of the Committee of Experts working on the Constitutional Review Process appointed by the president.

Although she went to school to study Biology, her interest to study law stemmed from the tragedy that happened to someone that was close to her.

She sought to find out why the rape of a child meant less to her society than the theft of a cow. However, it is the rape of someone close to her that had a significant impact on Atsango`s life converting the would be scientist into a lawyer and later a champion of women`s rights.

She has been involved in matters of the Constitution for over a decade of her life. In 1997, she was involved in the drafting of demands women made during the National Constitution Conference. 

She holds that the current constitution discriminates against women, a reason for which women must push for a review if they are to better their lives. 

In a past interview with a local newspaper, Atsango cautions women not to leave all the work to the members of the committee of experts but rather to rally from the outside and push for involvement and fair representation in the constitution review process.

She urges women to stay vigilant and use every opportunity available to make their voices heard but she says the prerogative to ensure women’s rights are improved also lies with the men.

She believes that as Kenyans focus on the reforms agenda and particularly review of the Constitution, the demands remain consistent — that what women want is to be included in decision-making and given at least a third of the positions.

This provision of a third of the positions reserved for women should be entrenched in law and accompanied by clear mechanisms of enforcing the same.

Until her appointment to the committee of experts, she was working as a private consultant. She has previously worked for the United Nations in Southern Sudan, monitoring the impact of conflict on women and children.

She also works as a policy and legal reform analyst advising on policy and law reforms, human rights and women’s human rights. She also evaluates development initiatives an area whose clients include the World Bank, multi-lateral agencies, African Union and Action Aid International.

Atsango draws inspiration from many people including, Pricilla Abwao, Phoebe Asiyo and Graca Machel.