Nairobi, Jan. 6 -- In these early days of the year, it's quiet and deserted at Vienne Court where the offices of the International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW) are.

Over on the fourth floor, in an even quieter and more deserted office, you can hear the voice of ICRW's African Director, Evelyne Opondo echoing in the inside chambers.

She's on the phone, already shaking the bushes for women in matters of sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender equality.

This is what she has dabbled in for the last 20 years after her Law degree from Pune University, India and a master's degree in Gender and Development from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.

She is a board member of FP2030 and the Chairperson of the Advisory Board of th...