Jessica is a founding member of the African Working Group of Feminist Forum, a member of the Board of Urgent Action Fund-Africa, and serves on the International Comic Relief Grants Committee. In 2012 she was named African woman ‘changemaker’ by ARISE Magazine and as one of the 40 Africans among 40 Changemakers by Applause Africa’s. Its research and analysis was published in professional journals The Lancet and Feminist Africa, the Al Jazeera media platforms, and openDemocracy The Feminist Wire.

“AWDF is thrilled that she is joining our team and we are delighted that its leadership leads AWDF forward into a new phase of our journey to the promotion and realization of the rights of African women and global social justice,” said the Theo Sowa CEO of AWDF.

The work of Jessica as his counsel Akiiki Consulting, has led to pioneering initiatives, including philanthropy for social justice, with the creation of UHAI -EASHRI- the first African funds directed to support the rights of sexual minorities. She was a leader in the early days of reflection on the funding models for FRIDA – The Fund young feminists and also managed funding for women’s rights and minority rights in the Sigrid Rausing Trust, one of the largest private funders of human rights in Europe, overseeing substantial growth in two portfolio funds.

“Jessica Horn worked for over 15 years in supporting militant organizations, donors and the UN in order to deepen the analysis, shape policy and funding, and refine interventions to defend the rights of women to health, bodily autonomy and freedom from violence. This includes 10 years on the rights of women and the change of social philanthropy as a funder and governance donor and advisory roles. “

Ms. Horn joined AWDF after the Stephen Lewis Foundation, where she served as Senior Advisor AIR (The African Institute for integrated responses to violence against women and girls and HIV / AIDS). Ms. Horn replaces Sarah Mukasa, who operated at this position for nine years.