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Blog

Kilifi County Launches Anti-Gender-Based Violence Policy

December 10, 2024by CREAW

As part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), CREAW proudly participated in the launch of the Kilifi County Anti-Gender-Based Violence Policy (2024-2028). The event, held on November 25, 2024, at the Tezo Agricultural Grounds, marked a significant milestone in the fight to end GBV in the county.

The launch brought together a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including Kilifi Deputy Governor, County Executive Committee Member (CEC) for Gender, other senior county officials, development partners, implementing agencies, community stakeholders, and members of the public.

At the heart of this event was the unveiling of a policy designed to drive change. The Kilifi County Anti-GBV Policy lays out a clear and actionable framework aimed at addressing and eliminating GBV through multisectoral approaches, prevention strategies, survivor support systems, and accountability mechanisms.

Speaking at the event, Pauline Muigai, CREAW’s Program Officer in Kilifi, commended the strong collaboration between the Kilifi County Government and the State Department for Gender. She highlighted the progress achieved through these partnerships and reaffirmed the need for sustained joint efforts to eradicate GBV in the region.

Dr. Ruth Dama Masha, the County Executive Committee Member for Gender, emphasized the importance of partnership among all gender stakeholders saying, “Counselors, government departments, community organizations—we need your voices, your hands, your dedication. Together, we must ensure every resident understands this policy and sees its impact.”

Her Excellency, Deputy Governor Flora Mbetsa Chile, reiterated the county administration’s unwavering commitment to ending GBV. She called on all stakeholders to continue working together to foster a safer and more equitable society for all residents of Kilifi County.

The launch of this policy underscores CREAW’s dedication to supporting county governments in the fight against violence toward women and girls. Kilifi County now joins other counties—Meru, Narok, Nyeri, Nairobi, and Kitui—where CREAW in partnership with UN Women has played a pivotal role in developing gender-responsive policies.

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BlogPublications

CREAW Annual Report – 2023

February 21, 2024by CREAW

2023 has been a year of remarkable progress and steadfast dedication for CREAW. We have continued to stand at the forefront of advancing the protection and promotion of women’s and girls’ rights, successfully implementing a myriad of impactful programs and initiatives. Our collective efforts and unwavering commitment have borne fruit, and I am immensely proud to highlight some of our key achievements.

One of our most significant milestones this year has been the establishment of a second GBV Outreach Center in the Mukuru informal settlement. This center is a beacon of hope, offering essential free legal and psychosocial support to survivors of violence and abuse. The Jasiri Fund, another cornerstone of our initiatives, has continued to provide a crucial financial safety net for survivors of violence. This fund embodies our belief in the resilience and strength of survivors, ensuring they have the resources they need to rebuild and thrive.

At CREAW, we understand that true change begins at the grassroots level. That’s why we are deeply committed to empowering grassroots women to become solution providers in their communities. Through sub-granting nascent grassroots organizations, we amplify their voices, power, and agency, creating a rich pool of local leadership and advocacy against gender inequality.
Furthermore, we continue to champion the inclusion of women in governance and decision-making spaces. Our participation in the multi-sector workforce developing a framework for the implementation of the two-thirds gender principle is a testament to our commitment.

 

Click here to read the full report
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BlogWomen Leadership and Governance

CREAW Hosts Pre-Award Induction for Piscca Decid’Her Project

January 20, 2024by CREAW

We were thrilled to host a pre-award induction workshop for eight youth-led feminist Women’s Rights Organisations (WROs) selected for the Piscca Decid’Her project.

These WROs, drawn from four counties—Narok, Kwale, Kiambu, and Nairobi—include:

  • Superb CBO
  • Wounded Healers
  • MK Defenders
  • LEHA Kenya
  • Hijabi Mentorship
  • Afy Africa
  • Matasaru Ntoiye Pastoralist Foundation
  • Tuwajali Wajane

During the workshop, CREAW signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the eight organizations, marking the formal start of the project. This milestone underscores our shared commitment to advancing sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), preventing gender-based violence (GBV), providing critical services, and fostering socio-economic empowerment.

Speaking at the event, Marion, the Executive Director of MK Defenders, highlighted the transformative impact of the project:

“Signing this agreement means that we will no longer have to carry survivors of sexual violence on our backs since we couldn’t afford to even pay for a bodaboda. This is a new lease of life for our beneficiaries as we can now support them with dignity.”

The Piscca Decid’Her project is made possible through the generous support of the French Embassy in Kenya and Somalia and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. It focuses on building the capacity of youth-led feminist organizations to effectively address GBV and SRHR, creating lasting change within their communities.

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Blog

CREAW Launches Mukuru SGBV Outreach Centre to Address Gender-Based Violence

January 2, 2024by CREAW
Attendees including partners, stakeholder and community members during the launch

The fight towards ending gender based violence has received a boost with the launch of the Mukuru SGBV Outreach Center. The inauguration of the center by Center for Rights, Education and Awareness (CREAW) in partnership with Nairobi County, Hewlett Foundation and the Canadian High Commission, marks a crucial step in addressing the alarming prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Kenya, particularly in informal settlements.

The launch, held during the 16 Days of Activism, was graced by His Excellency Christopher Thornley, High Commissioner for Canada in Kenya, Mr. Tom Michira the Chief Officer Public Health representing Nairobi Governor Sakaja, development partners, civil society partners, community partners, and the community at large.

Research shows that 1 in 3 women in Kenya has experienced some form of sexual or gender-based violence in her lifetime. These statistics underscore the urgent need for attention and action to address the pervasive issue that affects the lives of mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends, creating untold stories of pain and resilience within society.

Survivors in informal settlements face more complex challenges, including poverty, lack of awareness, limited access to support services, stigma, patriarchal attitudes, and harmful social norms. The pervasive silence surrounding these issues often prevents survivors from seeking help or reporting the crimes committed against them.

It is from this backdrop that CREAW and the Nairobi County Government has made efforts to bring services closer to the community through this center. The strategic placement of the SGBV centre within the Mukuru Health Center ensures survivors have access to integrated health services, pro bono legal assistance, free psychosocial support, and economic empowerment programs.

The outreach center streamlines the GBV pathways, reducing the burden on survivors’ resources and time. In the three weeks since opening, the outreach center has already supported 17 cases for psychosocial support and 11 cases for legal support, highlighting the dire need for these services in Mukuru.

The SGBV Centre represents a departure from the norm by aiming to eliminate the retraumatization survivors often face when navigating different offices and recounting their trauma. By streamlining the GBV pathways, the outreach center paves the way for survivors to attain the justice essential to their healing process.

His Excellency Christopher Thornley, High Commissioner for Canada in Kenya applauded the collaborative efforts made towards ending GBV in Kenya, noting that it is a global problem as well.

“I hope that the continued advocacy and partnership on advancing gender equality makes a difference in ending GBV,” he noted.

While thanking partners and stakeholders for their role in making the outreach center happen, CREAW’s executive Director Wangechi Wachira called for increased collaboration between communities, government agencies, media, and civil society organizations.

“Only through a united front can transformative change be achieved, eliminating the root causes of SGBV and fostering a society where everyone can live free from fear and violence,” Wangechi said.

Chief Officer Public Health Tom Michira lauded the establishment of the centre and emphasised the need to work together in order to address the issue of SGBV from the root.

The successful launch would not have been possible without the unwavering support of numerous individuals and organizations. CREAW extends gratitude to the Canadian High Commission, Nairobi County, Hewlett Foundation, and partners such as Unwomen, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), The United Nations Population Fund (Unfpa), Shofco, Forumciv, Action Aid, Christian Aid, Kenya Red Cross, among others.

The Mukuru SGBV Outreach Centre launch represents a significant step towards combating gender-based violence in Kenya. Through collaborative efforts, streamlined services, and community support, CREAW aims to create a society where everyone can live free from fear and violence.

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