The Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW) was honored on Wednesday, August 16th, at the ongoing 10th Devolution Conference for its strides in promoting gender responsiveness and inclusivity. Standing out among the various institutions, CREAW emerged the winner in the prestigious CHUI category of the Devolution Awards. This category is dedicated to recognizing institutions that have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to fostering gender responsiveness and inclusivity across various demographic segments such as youth, women, children, persons with disabilities, older persons, and other vulnerable groups.
Across several Kenyan counties, including Meru, Narok, Isiolo, Nairobi, and Nyeri, CREAW has been collaborating with county leadership to establish tailor-made gender policies. These policies are designed to effectively address gender-based violence (GBV) while advancing the cause of gender equality. CREAW was also recognized for its role in driving economic empowerment programs for survivors of GBV. These initiatives empower survivors by enhancing their access to affordable financial services, thereby strengthening their resilience against an array of challenges including surges in food and fuel prices, environmental adversities like drought, and the unprecedented hurdles posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Thank you Council of Governors for this recognition and for shining a spotlight on this important work. We dedicate this award to all our partners, the incredible CREAW Team and everyone who has supported us on this journey,” CREAW’s Executive Director Wangechi Wachira said after receiving the award.
The Devolution Warrior Awards, an initiative that seeks to spotlight and celebrate exceptional contributions to the advancement of devolution in Kenya, recognized CREAW’s efforts in this space. The awards ceremony, which marked its second occurrence since the inception of devolution, has gained prominence as a platform to honor outstanding individuals and institutions.
This year’s awards saw a staggering 634 nominations submitted across seven distinct categories: Simba, Ndovu, Kifaru, Nyati, Chui, Njiwa, and Tai. CREAW’s triumph in the Chui category stands as a testament to our unwavering dedication and efforts to foster a more inclusive and responsive society through gender-focused policies and empowerment programs.