Journey With Us in

AMPLIFYING THE VOICES OF MARGINALIZED YOUTHS & WOMEN AMONG THE PASTORALISTS COMMUNITIES IN THE NORTHERN KENYA.

Gender equality and Youth’s empowerment is among the Millennium Development Goal and is considered to be an essential component of sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction.

However, governments continue to struggle with their capacity to translate GENDER AND YOUTH policies into effective, actionable programs.

In Northern Kenya, where Gender and Generational inequality remains a pervasive feature of rural livelihoods, compounded further by Patriarchal society approaches that keeps YOUTH & WOMEN in a subordinate position, further fueled by the devastating effects of climate change, the region is characterized by notable Generatioanal and Gender disparities both in the economic, social, cultural, and political persuation.

OUR VISION & MISSION

A Transformed, Empowered and Productive Society as a result of Relevant Youth Empowerment Strategies and Advocacy.

To mobilize Human, Financial and Material resources in order to support initiatives geared toward transformation of Youth and Women among Marginalized Pastoralist Communities in Northern Kenya.

KEY GENDER FACTS

1

FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION

42.6% of women aged 15–49 who have undergone Female Genital Mutilation were cut when they were between the ages of 10 and 14

2

GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

Statistics by The Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW-Kenya) revealed that over 3,762 cases of Gender-Based Violence were reported in 2022.

3

UNEMPLOYMENT & YOUTH BULGE

Kenya is facing a youth bulge: 75% of the Kenyan population is aged below 35 years old. Youth unemployment in Kenya is as high as 35% (4.5 million young men and women), compared to the overall national unemployment rate of 10%.

4

FEMALE GENDER VULNERABILITY

Young women and adolescent girls are the most vulnerable group in Kenya. They are particularly vulnerable to poverty especially at the household and community level exacerbated by gender-based violence, harmful cultural attitudes, and beliefs. This often block them from participation in key communal forums and discourse.

5

GENDER THROUGH PASTORALIST EYES

Whereas many African governments have ratified the Convention on Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and instituted national gender-friendly policies and legislation to protect girls and women, such as affirmative action for higher education in Kenya, social cultural practices are systemically embedded in society. Practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriages and domestic violence remain an obstacle to progression of pastoralist girls and women.