Blog Archives - CREAW KENYA

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July 28, 2026by CREAW

For more than 15 years, Caroline  Karengo has dedicated her career to equipping young people with practical skills that can transform their lives. As the Principal of SnP School Of Beauty, which operates campuses in both Nairobi and Nyeri, she has witnessed firsthand how vocational training opens doors for young women and men who might otherwise remain unemployed.

Through the Jasiri Program, Caroline and her institution have partnered with CREAW to provide beauty and cosmetology training to young women, particularly those facing economic hardship. Together, they are helping participants gain employable skills while building the confidence needed to succeed in life and business.

The college offers comprehensive training in cosmetology, combining hairdressing and beauty therapy with additional courses that prepare students for today’s job market. Beyond technical skills, learners receive training in social media marketing, enabling them to advertise their services and reach customers online.

Students also participate in life skills sessions that focus on communication, professional conduct, confidence building, personality development, and healthy relationships with clients, colleagues, family members, and the wider community.

When the institution expanded into underserved communities, Caroline quickly noticed a significant gap. Many young women, including single mothers, lacked employable skills despite having a strong desire to work and improve their lives. Most could not afford tuition, leaving them without opportunities to gain meaningful employment.

By sponsoring learners, the Jasiri program has enabled many young women to access professional training that would otherwise have remained beyond their reach. Despite personal challenges including balancing motherhood, financial difficulties, and other family responsibilities the students have demonstrated remarkable commitment to completing their training.

Beyond graduation, SnP institution works closely with employers to connect graduates to job opportunities while also mentoring those interested in entrepreneurship. Students are guided on how to establish and manage their own beauty businesses, while others use their new confidence to pursue careers in sales, marketing, and even manufacturing beauty products such as shampoos and conditioners.

“Many of the young women who join us are eager to learn but simply cannot afford training. Through the Jasiri Program, they receive that opportunity and leave with skills that can support them for a lifetime.”

Caroline also highlights an important challenge within the beauty industry. While many individuals learn basic braiding or hairstyling informally, employers increasingly seek professionals with comprehensive technical skills such as hair cutting, roller setting, beauty therapy, customer care, and professional workplace conduct. Through the Jasiri Program, this skills gap is being addressed by producing graduates who are better prepared for formal employment.

Already, the results are evident. Many graduates from the first cohort are now working in salons, while others have ventured into different career paths, empowered by the confidence and professional skills they acquired during training.

Despite these successes, Caroline believes many more young people remain unreached. Across communities, countless young women and men remain unemployed not because opportunities do not exist, but because they lack access to affordable training.

“The beauty industry has opportunities. Salons are constantly looking for qualified professionals. When young people receive proper training, they become employable, confident, and even capable of starting businesses of their own.”

Caroline believes expanding initiatives like the Jasiri Program will help bridge the gap between unemployed youth and the growing demand for skilled professionals in Kenya’s beauty industry. By investing in practical skills, entrepreneurship, and personal development, the program is not only changing individual lives but also strengthening communities through sustainable economic empowerment.

The Jasiri Program is a five-year (2023–2028) initiative designed to strengthen the resilience of GBV survivors, expand their access to economic opportunities, and shift social norms so adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) can thrive in entrepreneurship and employment. Implemented across 16 counties in Kenya, the program is delivered by a consortium comprising the Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW), GROOTS Kenya, the Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development (CCGD), the Centre for Domestic Training and Development (CDTD), and Advocates for Social Change Kenya (ADSOCK), in partnership with Mastercard Foundation.


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July 28, 2026by CREAW

 

Just a few years ago, Jacinta Kihara could never have imagined owning a thriving beauty business in Nyeri. At 29 years old, she was trapped in a vicious cycle struggling to provide even the most basic necessities for her children. Today, she proudly runs her own nail spa, employs two people, and is steadily growing a business that has restored her dignity and given her family a brighter future. 

Before joining the Jasiri Program life was incredibly difficult. Providing food for her children was a daily struggle, buying diapers felt like an impossible luxury, and paying school fees was a constant source of stress. To survive, Jacinta relied on casual labour. She washed clothes in other people’s homes, cleaned houses, and occasionally found work on farms, earning just enough to put food on the table for that day. 

Everything began to change after a friend referred her to CREAW. The friend, who had also survived violence, shared how counselling at the organization had helped her stand again on her on. Encouraged by this testimony, Jacinta sought help. Her first step was counselling, where she received psychosocial support that helped her begin healing from the challenges she had experienced. The sessions restored her confidence and prepared her for the next phase of her journey. 

Although she already possessed basic nail care skills and had saved a small amount of money from occasionally offering nail services in other salons, she lacked the capital and financial management skills needed to establish her own business. Through the program Jacinta participated in business and financial literacy training before receiving a business grant of KSh 25,000.

The training transformed the way she viewed entrepreneurship. For the first time, she learned the importance of budgeting every shilling before spending it. She was taught how to separate business money from personal expenses, allocate funds for rent, stock, staff salaries and savings, and maintain financial discipline. She also understood that saving consistently is essential for business growth and for preparing for emergencies.

Using the grant strategically, Jacinta carefully budgeted every expense. She first paid KSh 5,000 for business rent before purchasing salon equipment, including machines, chairs and essential supplies. Because of the financial literacy skills she had gained, every shilling was accounted for, allowing her to establish her salon without wasting resources. 

Starting the business was not easy. For the first four months, she managed the salon completely on her own. As her client base gradually expanded, she hired her first employee. Three months later, she brought on a second staff member to meet the growing demand. 

Today, Jacinta’s business continues to grow steadily. Having additional staff has enabled her to serve more clients without turning anyone away, increasing both customer satisfaction and business income. 

The impact extends far beyond the business itself. Jacinta can comfortably buy food for her family, purchase necessities such as diapers without worry, pay school fees on time, settle household bills, and even set aside savings for emergencies. What was once a daily struggle for survival has become a life of stability, confidence, and hope. 

“Before, I survived through casual jobs washing clothes, cleaning houses, or working on farms just to feed my children. Today, I own my own nail spa, employ two people, and can comfortably provide for my family.” 

“The financial literacy training completely changed how I manage money. I now budget for rent, stock, salaries, savings, and emergencies. Because of that discipline, my business continues to grow every day.” 

By combining psychosocial counselling, business training, financial literacy, and start-up capital, the Jasiri Program equipped her with both the confidence and the practical skills needed to build a sustainable livelihood. 

The Jasiri Program is a five-year (2023–2028) initiative designed to strengthen the resilience of GBV survivors, expand their access to economic opportunities, and shift social norms so adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) can thrive in entrepreneurship and employment. Implemented across 16 counties in Kenya, the program is delivered by a consortium comprising the Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW), GROOTS Kenya, the Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development (CCGD), the Centre for Domestic Training and Development (CDTD), and Advocates for Social Change Kenya (ADSOCK), in partnership with Mastercard Foundation.


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June 16, 2026by CREAW

Nairobi, Kenya – May 2026 – The Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW) has launched its Strategic Plan 2026–2030, unveiling an ambitious five-year roadmap designed to tackle the root causes of femicide and gender-based violence (GBV) while advancing women’s rights, economic justice, and leadership across Kenya.

The launch convened government representatives, development partners, civil society organizations, grassroots women’s rights groups, activists, and the media, reflecting a shared commitment to addressing the escalating crisis of violence against women and girls. The strategy comes at a critical time as Kenya continues to grapple with rising cases of femicide and GBV, many of which occur within intimate and domestic settings, exposing persistent gaps in prevention, protection, and accountability systems.

Marking a significant shift in approach, the new strategy moves beyond traditional awareness-raising efforts toward deeper, systemic interventions aimed at transforming the social, cultural, and institutional factors that perpetuate violence. Anchored in feminist principles of justice, dignity, and equality, the plan prioritizes behavior change, survivor-centered programming, community engagement, and stronger accountability mechanisms to ensure women and girls can live free from violence.

Over the next five years, we will focus on ending all forms of violence against women and girls while advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), promoting women’s economic empowerment and resilience, strengthening women’s rights organizations and feminist movements, and expanding women’s leadership and participation in decision-making spaces. We also plan to deepen its work with community leaders, youth groups, faith institutions, schools, and women-led organizations to challenge harmful social norms and foster gender equality at the grassroots level.

The strategy is backed by ambitious targets. By 2030, CREAW aims to support more than 228,000 women and girls to live free from violence, enable over 200,000 women and girls to access SRHR information and services, help more than 60,000 women access economic opportunities and resources, and support nearly 50,000 women and girls to take up leadership and decision-making roles. We have also reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening Women’s Rights Organizations through flexible funding, capacity development, and sustainability initiatives.

Speaking during the launch, CREAW Executive Director Wangechi Wachira described the strategy as both a reflection of the organization’s 26-year journey and a forward-looking commitment to deepening impact. She noted that CREAW’s growth has been shaped by partnerships with communities, survivors, and allies working collectively to advance gender justice across Kenya.

Echoing the need for a more transformative approach, CREAW’s Partnerships lead, Angelina Cikanda, emphasized the importance of addressing the cultural and behavioral norms that continue to normalize violence.

She called for gender-transformative approaches that engage both men and women in rethinking masculinity, relationships, and conflict resolution, stressing that legal frameworks alone cannot end violence without broader social and cultural change.

Also speaking at the launch, Principal Secretary for Gender and Affirmative Action Anne Wang’ombe underscored the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration and effective implementation of existing laws and policies.

As stakeholders renewed their commitment to collective action, the strategy was presented as a bold roadmap for building a future where women and girls live with dignity, safety, and equal opportunity.

Access the full Strategic Plan 2026–2030 here.

 


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April 27, 2026by CREAW
Mary Muthoni at her stall in Karatina Market. Photo by Wambui Kimari

The hustle and bustle of Karatina Market in Nyeri County is impossible to ignore. One of Kenya’s largest open-air markets, it pulses with movement. Voices calling out prices, sacks of produce shifting from hand to hand, traders negotiating in quick, practiced rhythms. Agricultural goods move in large volumes here. The pace is fast. Hectic. Relentless.

Tucked between hundreds of stalls, Mary Muthoni tends to her customers.

In a space that loud, Mary is soft-spoken, almost shy. She smiles gently at a customer before turning to welcome us. Her groceries seem to rise around her small frame. A mound of cabbages, baskets of tomatoes, onions, and maize arranged with care.

At 27, her face does not immediately betray the weight she carries. Married young, Mary is a mother of two and a survivor of abuse at the hands of both her husband and in-laws.

Her firstborn developed disabilities following complications from meningitis. Instead of support, this became the source of further abuse. She eventually fled back to her family home, hoping for refuge. But even there, the welcome was strained. Her child’s special needs seen as an added burden, demanding more than the family was willing or able to give.

Determined to survive, Mary sought out casual work, taking on laundry jobs. But even this came at a cost. Unable to afford daycare, she carried her child with her to work. There were days the crying made it difficult to complete tasks. Days she had to stop working altogether to rush to hospital. Many employers preferred workers without such responsibilities. Opportunities slipped through her fingers.

The financial, emotional, physical strain began to show. Caring for a child with special needs without support, while navigating rejection and instability, took a toll on her mental health.

By the time she was introduced to Jasiri’s work, Mary was depressed and struggling to find a way forward.

Through CREAW, she first received counselling which gave her space to process, breathe and begin again. From there, she underwent financial literacy training, building skills in business setup, record keeping, marketing, and product positioning.

With a KES 25,000 business grant, Mary started a clothes-selling business. However, the venture did not go as planned. Sales were low and losses discouraging.

But Mary did not stop.

She noticed how traders in Karatina bought produce in bulk and resold it across towns and villages. With what remained of her capital, she pivoted by starting small with onions.

This time, it worked.

Mary Muthoni serves a customer at her stall in Karatina Market. Photo by Wambui Kimari

Gradually, she expanded her stock to include tomatoes, maize, and cabbages, applying the lessons she had learned.

“While my income is not as big just yet, I am now able to generate enough to restock and cater for my basic needs,” she reflects.

There was a time she could not afford rent, school fees, or even food.

“Now, I can pay daycare for my child with special needs, and school fees including transport for my other child,” she says, a quiet smile breaking through.

Her income now supports medication for her child, who suffers from convulsions. She can afford the extra care her child needs. School transport has eased her daily burden, allowing her to focus on growing her business.

Mary dreams of expansion, of becoming a large-scale trader, of building something stable and lasting.

“I would like to encourage any woman experiencing abuse to get out of the house,” she says.

“Stop hiding. Gather the courage to seek help. I would not have been supported if I stayed behind, crying about my problems. I also hope more women can join the Jasiri Program. It has transformed my life. It understood my challenges and walked with me through this journey.”

The Jasiri Program is a five-year (2023–2028) initiative designed to strengthen the resilience of GBV survivors, expand their access to economic opportunities, and shift social norms so adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) can thrive in entrepreneurship and employment. Implemented across 16 counties in Kenya, the program is delivered by a consortium comprising the Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW), GROOTS Kenya, the Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development (CCGD), the Centre for Domestic Training and Development (CDTD), and Advocates for Social Change Kenya (ADSOCK), in partnership with Mastercard Foundation.


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April 7, 2026by CREAW

 

In 2025, we remained steadfast in its vision of a just society where women and girls are valued, respected, enjoy their full rights, and live in dignity.

In a year marked by shrinking civic space, funding contractions, and rising anti-rights movements, CREAW advanced its mission through survivor-centred support, systems strengthening, and grassroots feminist leadership.

Overall, we directly reached 23,799 people across Kenya, strengthening prevention and response to Gen der-Based Violence (GBV), expanding adolescent-responsive Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), deepening women’s economic empowerment, and resourcing Women’s Rights Organisations (WROs) to lead change within their communities.

Under our Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) pillar, 7,965 survivors accessed legal and psychosocial support, including 6,490 who received direct services and 1,475 supported through our toll-free line. A holistic case management approach linked survivors to economic strengthening and life-skills support, reinforcing long-term safety and autonomy.

Beyond direct response, we reached approximately one million individuals through artivism, radio, and digital prevention campaigns that challenged harmful norms, promoted survivor-centred justice, and strengthened public accountability around violence. In parallel, 1,213 service providers were trained on survivor-centred approaches, contributing to improved case handling and stronger referral systems.

Our SRHR programming strengthened adolescent-responsive health systems across six counties. 710 healthcare providers were equipped to deliver respectful, youth-friendly services, and Community Scorecards institutionalized accountability in 59 health facilities, leading to extended service hours, improved commodity availability, and more dignified care. Community dialogue processes engaged adolescents, caregivers, elders, and faith leaders, contributing to shifts in perception toward contraception, consent, FGM/C, and early marriage.

Through feminist sub-granting, CREAW channelled KES 334,960,675 in sub-grants with KES 31.5 million directed to flexible funding for 24 WROs. This has enabled partners to respond rapidly to emerging crises without being constrained by rigid project budgets.

Women’s economic empowerment interventions trained 4,129 women in entrepreneurship and financial literacy, provided over KES 27.5 million in grants and KES 4.2 million in affordable loans, and expanded skilling path ways for adolescent girls and young women. Evidence from our integrated model shows that linking economic strengthening to survivor support improves justice retention and long-term protection outcomes.

Our 2025 experience reaffirms that holistic, survivor-centred programming delivers stronger outcomes, youth-led accountability accelerates access to reproductive health services, integrated outreach is essential in marginalized contexts. As we look ahead, CREAW will continue to advocate for safety and protection of women and girls, survivor economic reintegration, adolescent-responsive health systems, and multi-year support to WROs ensuring that women and girls remain at the centre of transformative and lasting change.

Read the full report here


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December 16, 2025by CREAW

As the world marked the end of 16 days of Activism, we joined grassroots women’s rights organisations, the County Government of Meru, Couples, Local leaders, IRC, FCDO, WhatWorks to Prevent Violence Against Women, AFEOP and John Hopkins University, to launch the Imarisha Mahusiano couples program.

To be implemented in Meru and Tharaka Nithi County where the prevalence of intimate partner violence is alarmingly high at 48% for Meru (KDHS 2022), this initiative will reach 800 couples, opinion leaders, and the wider community through radio listener groups to strengthen and promote healthy relationships.

CREAW will deliver a curriculum-based model with heterosexual couples that explores the household maintenance of power framework within the concepts of understanding power (power within, power to, power with) and negative types of power to foster individual level social norms change that emphasizes the benefits of non-violent, healthy, and equitable relationships. The curriculum will further provide (and tools including media content) to support other couples through a peer-to-peer learning model including supporting accountability and sustainability new norms.

Additionally our partner AFEOP will develop radio dramas based on Imarisha Mahusiano model and establish listener groups to diffuse the curriculum content in couples and opinion leaders and wider communities in implementation. The model will be adapted into a radio program where couples can listen, learn and transform their knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors towards respective relationships. Broadcast of the radio programming will reach a wider audience with the same content and messaging, thereby helping to sustain transformations and foster a more enabling environment within couples in the community.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners and communities who continue to support and amplify our collective efforts.


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December 16, 2025by CREAW
WOBN winners at the recently concluded award ceremony

This quarter came with moments of reflection, pride, and celebration for the Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW). We are deeply honored to have our work recognized through two prestigious awards, affirming our long-standing commitment to advancing women’s leadership, gender equality, and human rights in Kenya and beyond.

Governance and Human Rights Award – 2025 NGO Awards

CREAW was awarded the Governance and Human Rights Award at the 2025 NGO Awards, a recognition that speaks to decades of intentional, values-driven work.

This honor reflects our unwavering commitment to promoting women’s leadership, protecting human rights, and strengthening governance structures that center dignity, equity, and justice. It is also a powerful reminder that this work is never done alone. The progress we continue to make is possible because of the solidarity, trust, and support of our partners, allies, and communities.

CREAW team receiving the Governance and Human Rights Award at our offices

1st Runner-Up: Organization of the Year – WOBN Awards

At the 5th Annual Women on Boards Network (WOBN) Awards Gala, CREAW was recognized as 1st Runner-Up in the Organization of the Year category.

This recognition celebrates our continued efforts to uplift and empower women leaders within CREAW, across the communities we serve, and among the many incredible women we work alongside every day. For over two decades, women’s and girls’ rights have been at the heart of our mission. Our approach has always been bold, innovative, and holistic, driven by the belief that women’s voices must be heard loudly and clearly.

This award is a testament to our vision of a just society where women and girls are valued, respected, enjoy their full rights, and live in dignity.

CREAW team accepts the organisation of the year – 1st Runner Up award at the WOBN gala

We extend our sincere gratitude to our staff, partners, supporters, and communities who continue to walk this journey with us. These awards belong to all of you who believe in the power of collective action and feminist leadership.

As we celebrate these milestones, we remain grounded in our purpose and energized for the work ahead.

 


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December 10, 2025by CREAW

On 25th November 2025, CREAW officially kicked off the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, joining national and county partners in amplifying this year’s global call: UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls. 

Every year, the 16 Days campaign serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility we hold in dismantling the barriers that stand in the way of gender equality. This year, CREAW placed a deliberate focus on a form of violence that is growing quietly yet harming loudly digital violence. From online harassment and cyberstalking to non-consensual image sharing, women and girls are increasingly facing new forms of harm as more aspects of life shift online. 

CREAW’s commitment to ending violence against women and girls extends to all spaces offline and online. Throughout the 16 days, we created awareness across its digital platforms, breaking down what digital violence looks like, outlining available legal protections, and signposting institutions where survivors can seek help. This approach ensured that women and girls not only understand the risks in digital spaces but also know their rights and where to access support. 

In Nairobi, we joined partners under the Kibera Gender Advocacy Network (KGAN) at the DC Grounds to launch the 2025 16 Days of Activism. The activation highlighted the rising threat of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, including online harassment, deepfakes, blackmail, and misinformation. During the engagement, CREAW showcased its comprehensive survivor-centered support, including access to free legal aid, psychosocial services, and sustained advocacy for safer and more accountable digital spaces.  

In Mombasa, CREAW joined partners under the County Gender-Based Violence Technical Working Group (GBV-TWG) at Tononoka to launch the 16 Days campaign, echoing the global theme, “Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” and reinforcing the need for multi-sectoral collaboration to address both online and offline forms of violence. 

In Nyeri County, more than 100 girls and young mothers were sensitized on gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, drug and substance use, and mental health during the campaign launch. Together with county leaders and partners, CREAW reinforced a collective stand for action and accountability against violence. Addressing the participants, Nyeri MCA Hon. Agnes Wachira encouraged the girls to speak out and pursue empowerment through education and skills acquisition, affirming that, “You are not alone. You deserve dignity, safety, and justice. Your voice matters. Your dreams matter. Your life matters.” 

To amplify awareness, CREAW also joined Radio Maisha on the Staarabika show, where our lawyer Evelyn Apondi unpacked: How to identify digital violence, what survivors can do and how the law protects victims 

This conversation allowed thousands of listeners to better understand online safety and their digital rights. 

By centering digital violence within the broader fight against gender inequality, CREAW reaffirms its leadership in championing women’s rights and advancing a society where every woman and girl can thrive on the streets, in their homes and equally online. 

 


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December 6, 2025by CREAW

 

For as long as she can remember, Victoria Mumbua has always had an eye for detail, especially when it came to painted walls. She would notice the uneven strokes, the bumps, the cracks and silently think, “I could do better.” That quiet curiosity led her to Buildher, one of the partners under the Jasiri Program, which equips young women with hands-on skills to help them participate meaningfully in the world of work. At Buildher she is learning painting and decoration.

As a mother of two, Victoria juggles motherhood, studies, and an internship that runs six days a week. Her days begin at dawn and end after sunset leaving home at 6 a.m., attending classes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., then heading home to care for her children.

By the time she walks through the door, she’s exhausted. “Sometimes I feel like I’m losing touch with them,” she says quietly. “If someone told me one of them misbehaved, I wouldn’t even know whether to believe it or not.”

The demanding schedule has also strained her social life. But Victoria now sees that as a blessing. “Before Buildher, I didn’t know how to say no,” she admits. “Now I have boundaries. I know what matters.”

Through the Buildher’s training, Victoria is learning not only painting and decoration techniques but also discipline, financial literacy, and resilience. The program has given her access to trainers who challenge her to stay consistent, and to mental health support that helps her cope with the emotional toll of her journey.

Her sister occasionally helps her with food, rent, and school fees, but Victoria has learned to hold on to her bigger goal to complete her training and secure sustainable employment.

There are moments when she feels like giving up. “I’ve wanted to leave this program a million times,” she laughs. “Every week I say I’m done. But then wonder what would happen should I quit.”

She finds motivation in the women she meets at construction sites who tell her they earn Ksh 2,000 a day. “It reminds me that there’s something better waiting on the other side of this hard work,” she says.

Today, Victoria speaks with quiet confidence and determination. She’s learning to see beyond the struggles of the present to the promise of independence and stability ahead.

“I’m not just learning how to paint walls,” she says with a smile. “I’m learning how to rebuild my life.”


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November 23, 2025by CREAW

Justin Nasimiyu, a mother and resident of Kibra, has walked a challenging path as a survivor of gender-based violence (GBV). Her journey is one of courage, reflection, and starting anew.

For years, Justin endured a painful marriage with a violent, alcoholic husband. He not only disregarded her feelings but also brought another woman into their home to humiliate her in front of their children. Justin faced daily beatings, insults, and was left to raise her children alone, as her husband support the needs of the family. “I lived through pain every day, but no one seemed to notice. I had to carry the burden alone,” she recalls quietly.

One day, Justin realized she couldnt continue living like that. After deep reflection, she made the brave decision to walk away and take her children with her. Leaving was not easy, but she knew she had to do it for herself and her children.

A close friend who witnessed Justin’s struggles introduced her to CREAW, where she was enrolled in the Jasiri Program. This connection transformed her life. Through Jasiri, Justin received counseling that helped her begin to heal from the emotional pain she had carried for so long. She also participated in financial literacy training, learning essential skills for managing her business. She was taught the importance of pursuing her passions, saving money for personal use, business, and emergencies, as well as keeping accurate records of every coin earned and spent.

“Before Jasiri, I didn’t know how to manage anything. I was just surviving, but they taught me how to plan for my life and my future,” she expresses.

After completing the training, Justin received a grant that enabled her to open her own salon business. From that moment on, her life started to improve. Today, Justin can comfortably pay school fees and provide food for her children, allowing her to support her family without the daily struggles that once weighed her down. “I now feel proud when I can meet my children’s needs without begging or waiting for someone to step in,” she says with a soft smile.

Justin is deeply grateful to Jasiri for giving her the opportunity to rebuild her life. “Jasiri came through for me in a way my friends and family could not. They helped me when I had no other way out,” she shares sincerely.

The difference between her past and present is stark; she has gone from days filled with pain and fear to days filled with hope and growth. She now has the strength to support her children even when they face challenges in school.

“To all the women going through the same thing, don’t sit in silence, waiting for friends or family to save you. Look within yourself and ask the hard questions. Staying too long in suffering can destroy you in the end,” she advises. Justin encourages women to share their stories and seek help from people and organizations that can genuinely support them.

Justin is thankful to Jasiri for pulling her out of a life of pain. She hopes Jasiri will continue to encourage and support her as she raises her children and builds her life.

The Jasiri Program aims to enhance the resilience of GBV survivors, increase their participation in economic opportunities, and shift social norms to create an enabling environment for them to thrive in the world of entrepreneurship and work. The program is implemented by a consortium comprising Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW), Grassroots Organizations Operating Together in Sisterhood (GROOTS Kenya), Collaborative Center for Gender and Development (CCGD), Centre for Domestic Training and Development (CDTD) and Advocates for Social Change Kenya (ADSOCK in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.