Interview with Hyeladzira James Mshelia

Abstract

Hyeladzira James Mshelia is a Programs Associate at Connected Development with technical and programmatic management skills in designing and implementing gender equality, environmental and climate - related projects, policy influencing, and WASH campaigns in Africa. In a country where corruption thrives and accountability and transparency are reprehensible, her role in CODE spurs transparency and accountability in governance while urging citizens to track and monitor government projects in their communities. In CODE, she has over time continuously led strategic campaigns that address issues affecting women and girls including gender-responsive budgeting, girl-child education campaigns, and campaigns to eliminate all forms of violence targeted toward women and girls. As an activist whose work affects women and recognizes gender equity issues, Hyeladzira was recently selected as a 2023 Twink Frey visiting Social Activist Hyeladzira has a Bachelor's degree (B.SC) in Environmental Biology which she has used to develop targeted programs/ interventions on environmental sustainability and climate action. Passionate about promoting the culture of environmental Sustainability in Nigeria and West Africa to achieve SDGs 13, 14, and 15, Hyeladzira is part of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps, a global network of activists and influencers who advocate for climate crisis and justice. She is a member of the World Economic Forum; a Global Shaper with the Abuja hub where she is the grants manager and co-chairs the 'Abuja Dialogue Series' aimed at policy development from community/stakeholder engagement, mobilization, and dialogue. She was a delegate at the Nigerian International Secondary Schools Model United Nations (NISSMUN) Conference where as a representative of the United Nations representing Slovakia, she deliberated discussed and debated the country's adaptation to a recycling-friendly, zero-waste circular economy and how imperative it is for her to sign the Paris Agreement. Hyeladzira also has experience in developing and influencing communication interventions through data storytelling and strategic use of program-related information advocacy for both developing and influencing communication interventions through data storytelling and strategic use of program-related information for advocacy for non-profit and profit organizations. She has consulted for the likes of Plan International to design and develop USAID E-WASH toolkits for E-WASH media and CSO partners in five States respectively She has been featured on various international platforms where are spoke about discrimination, inequality, and sexual harassment (OXFAM Novib Wall of Voices), World News Today etc