ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVES

Globally, one in three women is affected by violence, making it one of the most widespread human rights abuses. In Kenya, a limited understanding of women’s rights and insufficient knowledge of services available prevent women and girls from seeking help when they experience violence. Technology can make a big difference to this problem. Using innovative mobile phone technology, women and girls who have experienced sexual and physical violence can be connected with legal, medical and psychosocial support.  Through the use of innovative mobile technology 21094 by texting the words HELP and their messages will be received by the appropriate person amongst a group of 27 volunteers who have been trained to respond in a sensitive and appropriate way. These volunteers include system operators, health workers, paralegals and counsellors, who link the women affected to law enforcement agencies and psychosocial and medical support services. Over 273 cases of violence have already been reported through the platform. The project can also improve the lives of 10,000 of the most vulnerable women and girls living in the Mukuru slum in Nairobi. To ensure long term and transformative change, the project is working with the survivors of sexual and gender based violence to improve their household income through economic empowerment initiatives

Women’s economic empowerment includes women’s ability to participate equally in existing markets; their access to and control over productive resources, access to decent work, control over their own time, lives and bodies; and increased voice, agency and meaningful participation in economic decision-making at all.

But they also remain disproportionately affected by poverty, discrimination and exploitation. Gender discrimination means women often end up in insecure, low-wage jobs, and constitute a small minority of those in senior positions. It curtails access to economic assets such as land and loans. It limits participation in shaping economic and social policies. And, because women perform the bulk of household work, they often have little time left to pursue economic opportunities.

Many international commitments support women’s economic empowerment, including the Beijing Platform for Action, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and a series of International Labor Organization conventions on gender equality. Africa Youth Trust supports women’s economic empowerment in line with these, and with the growing body of evidence that shows that gender equality significantly contributes to advancing economies and sustainable development.

Africa youth trust under the project access to justice project is partnering with National youth council and ActionAid Kenya to trained women on economic empowerment initiatives and give business startup kit to set a direct path towards gender equality, poverty eradication and inclusive economic growth. Women make enormous contributions to economies, whether in businesses, on farms, as entrepreneurs or employees, or by doing unpaid care work at home.