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Women Economic empowerment Archives - CREAW KENYA

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Justin’s Brave Step Towards a Better Life

October 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. 

 

 

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Blog

CREAW, KPC Foundation, and Morendat Institute Sign MoU to Equip Women Survivors of GBV with Technical Skills

May 14, 2025by CREAW
CREAW Executive Director Wangechi Wachira and KPC Managing Director Joe Sang during the signing of the MOU

In a timely move to economically empower marginalized, young female survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), the Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW), the KPC Foundation, and the Morendat Institute of Oil and Gas National Polytechnic (MIOG) have signed a four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to offer fully sponsored technical and vocational training to young women in Nairobi and Mombasa counties. 

The MoU outlines a shared commitment to provide technical skills training while also enhancing work-readiness through comprehensive coaching and mentorship, enabling their full participation in the economy and contributing to their long-term dignity and independence. The partnership also seeks to support the young women by securing internship placements for practical industry exposure and facilitating job linkages by tapping into existing industry networks. In addition, select beneficiaries will receive grants for entrepreneurship 

Speaking during the MoU signing ceremony, KPC MD Mr. Joe Sang noted that gender-based violence continues to rob young women of opportunities in economic participation. Without access to education and skills, many survivors face unemployment, economic exclusion, and generational cycles of poverty.  

“At KPC, we remain alive to these challenges and we remain steadfast in our endeavor to make a difference. In a bid to restore hope and confidence among survivors of GBV, KPC will fully sponsor globally accredited, hands-on training for the young women at our Morendat Institute of Oil and Gas (MIOG) polytechnic. The courses that will be offered under this MoU include: International Welders Certificate, Fiber Optic Installation Technician, Certificate in Motor Vehicle Diagnostics, Certificate in Electrical Installation, Forklift Operator Certification Course and International Fire Fighters Certification Course among others” he said.

The partnership is particularly significant for young women who are survivors of GBV, many of whom face economic exclusion, unemployment, and limited access to education. Studies show that GBV has profound consequences on women’s ability to participate in economic life often leading to lost productivity, job loss, and intergenerational poverty. By equipping survivors with technical skills and pathways to decent work, this initiative directly challenges the cycle of violence and economic vulnerability.

CREAW Executive Director Wangechi Wachira noted that this partnership will open up real opportunities for young women who are survivors of gender based violence to gain practical skills at the facility, find spaces to work, and build strong networks that can support their growth. 

“This isn’t just about skilling. It’s about restoring dignity, hope, and the belief that every young woman deserves a chance to live a meaningful and empowered life,” Wangechi said.

CREAW, through its Jasiri Program, will identify and support young women aged 18–35 who have either survived or are at risk of GBV. The KPC Foundation will leverage Kenya Pipeline Company’s national infrastructure and industry networks to support internship and employment opportunities. MIOG will provide globally accredited, hands-on training in high-demand fields including welding and fabrication, fibre optic installation, electrical installation, motor vehicle diagnostics, CNC machining, refrigeration and air conditioning, and fire safety.

Participants in Nairobi and Mombasa are encouraged to apply by clicking on this link. https://ee.kobotoolbox.org/x/jTbjPF8g

 

 

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BlogJASIRI FundStories from the field

Jasiri Fund: The silver bullet to my financial freedom

April 22, 2022by CREAW

When COVID-19 pandemic pocked its scary nose in Kenya, food insecurity, sexual and gender-based-violence and job losses, were some of the news making headlines in the local dailies. As many were obsessed with casting their nets on the effects of the pandemic, CREAW through its partners was delving deep into the murky waters to find a solution for more than 5,000 survivors of gender based violence.

To dignify and empower women economically, Cash transfer was part of the solutions as it had the potential to help vulnerable households stay off starvation, reduce the vulnerability of survivors and those at risk of sexual and gender-based violence.

Mary Bandi from Kayole in Nairobi was one such woman. She had lost her hotel job and was now doing laundry work that could barely meet the needs of her family. On the side, she had an outstanding mortgage loan that needed to be cleared.

“My husband and I had separated long before the pandemic. As the sole provider for my two children and I, the heat was too much. I even developed blood pressure due to the economic stress I was going through,” Says Mary.

With the cash transfer she received totalling to Kes 21,000, Mary started selling crisps by the roadside outside her house. Little by little, she got orders from mini-markets around Kayole, where she supplied in bulk.

In her own words, she got a second chance at life. Mary was invited for a business development training organised by CREAW, to help beneficiaries of cash transfer program work on their business skills even as they rebuild their lives.

“What stood out for me was stock taking, saving and investing. I realised from the money I got, little went into saving. That is when I started saving little by little to help me complete my house mortgage. In a few months’ time I will be through with the balance,” Proudly states Mary, casting her eyes around her house.

Thanks to the introduction of Jasiri Fund immediately after the business development training, Mary saw an opportunity to grow her crisps business as well as diversify into the fashion industry.

“I took a loan of KES 50,000. I spent KES 30,000 for buying 3 bales of handbags. From each bale I was able to make a profit of KES 40,200. This enabled me repay my loan in 3 months,” States Mary as she was taking us through her record book.

“Investing in women owned enterprises promotes economic development among women survivors of GBV. However, mainstreaming of GBV support services into the financial inclusion program is key to reducing women’s risk of experiencing violence as well as strengthening equal access to economic resources that enhances women’s empowerment.” Confirms Moses Okello, the Women Economic Empowerment Lead at CREAW, who has been supporting women under the program rebuild their life post-COVID-19.

By the time we were leaving her home, Mary had already gotten second approval for a loan of KES 65,000. She wants to use it in expanding her handbags business as well as find another branch for the same.

With support from Mastercard Foundation, through the Response, Recovery and Resilience Project in partnership with GROOTS and The Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development: CCGD, CREAW has been providing women like Mary with affordable financial services through Jasiri Fund. The fund is available in ten counties, that has enabled 1000 entrepreneurial women to access start-up capital to invest and expand their businesses.

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BlogJASIRI Fund

Kadzo: Jasiri fund turning my tides of misfortune

January 12, 2022by CREAW

Kadzo Samuel Kaingu is definitely a woman without limits. She epitomizes resilience, as her never giving up spirit is show cased through her carpentry business. A venture that is less trodden by women, especially for a middle aged woman who is a mother
of 6.

As the world was trying to come to terms with the ravaging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kadzo was equally struggling to put her life back to order. Her carpentry workshop in Naeni location in Kilifi county, one of the 6 coastal counties of Kenya, had been vandalized. All her investment and hard earned money was taken away by the robbers.

“I was left stranded with nothing to cater for my needs and that of my children. At that time, three of them were in secondary school so I urgently needed their school fees,” Says Kadzo.

With no one else to look up to, Kadzo started doing menial jobs like laundry work as well as working in construction sites. Her woes in search of a stable job continued, until she was identified by a community champion, who recommended her for business development training, that CREAW was conducting for women led businesses in Kilifi County, with support from Mastercard Foundation.

“Through the training, I came to learn a lot of mistakes I was making in my previous business. I never had a record of inventory, I was also poor in budgeting hence I could not account for the sales I would make. I was more eager to start on a clean slate,” She adamantly agrees.

From the training, Kadzo was among the women that were selected for a cash support of Ksh 15,000 (USD 150). She took care of her immediate home needs and reinvested the remaining Ksh 10,000 in her business.

“I got a workshop near Kiwandani Prison and bought materials needed to run the workshop. I am grateful that now I can comfortably account for whatever I make. I have a record of things sold like beds, tables and even doors, which are mostly preferred by people who are building homes around here,” Smiles Kadzo.

According to a 2020 study by the International Centre for Research on Women and Kenya Association of Manufacturers, raising start-up capital is one of the biggest challenges for women entrepreneurs in Kenya’s key manufacturing sector, with banks requiring collateral that most of them do not have.

However, CREAW with support from Mastercard Foundation was able to fill this gap by providing women like Kadzo with affordable financial services. Jasiri Loan Fund is available in three counties of Mombasa, Kilifi and Nairobi which has enabled entrepreneurial women to access start-up capital to invest and expand their businesses.

The joy and gladness on Kadzos face is a reflection of what women economic empowerment can do, to uplift businesses as well as improve livelihoods especially in women led homes, where majority are the drivers of the small scale economy in Kenya.

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