We advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment as one of our pillars. This principle encompasses the pursuit of a society where all individuals, regardless of gender, are afforded equal rights, opportunities, and access to resources and decision-making processes. It involves actively challenging and addressing systemic discrimination, biases, and inequalities that women and girls encounter in areas such as education, employment, healthcare, politics, and social norms.
Gender equality and women empowerment are key pillars in our mission. They encompass the principles and actions aimed at creating a society where all
individuals have equal rights and
opportunities as well
as access to resources. We strive to challenge systemic
discrimination, biases, and inequalities faced by women and girls in various aspects of life.
Our work in gender equality involves promoting equal access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. We address gender-based violence and
discrimination, and advocate for women's rights and participation in decision-making processes. By fostering women empowerment, we enable women to realize their full potential and exercise agency over their lives.
Women empowerment is not only a matter of human rights but also contributes to sustainable development. It leads to more inclusive and diverse societies, improved social and economic outcomes, and a fairer world for all. We implement policies, advocate for reforms, support women's leadership, and challenge gender stereotypes to create a gender- equitable and inclusive society.
Society organizations, communities, and individuals, we work towards building a future where gender equality is a reality, and women and girls can thrive and contribute to a better world for everyone.
The current project focuses on improving safety, mobility, and access to justice for vulnerable women
and girls in Nairobi's Mukuru informal settlements. By organizing collective action against
Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), we advocate for gender-responsive public spaces
and policies, while holding the State accountable Access to Justice This initiative helps survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) in Nairobi's
Mukuru informal settlements access legal aid, medical, and psychosocial support through an
SMS platform ('HELP' to 21094). The platform ensures survivors receive the necessary
assistance for justice and recovery. We collaborate with Action Aid Kenya to implement this
initiative. Young Urban Women (YUW) With a network of 4,000 young urban women in Nairobi and
Mombasa, we advocate for policies that address economic security and gender-responsive
public services. This project empowers women and girls to engage in advocacy at the local,
national, and global levels, influencing policy changes.
The initiatives that we have carried out under Gender Equality and Women Empowerment pillar have been;
The Safe and Friendly Cities for All (SAFCA) Initiative
The Safe and Friendly Cities for All (SAFCA) Initiative was a pilot project on urban safety that was implemented in 8 cities worldwide, including Nairobi City. The project was carried out in partnership with UNICEF, UN Habitat, and UN Women, with the objective of seeking support and spearheading partnerships with municipal leaders and local community organizations. The project focused on various aspects of urban planning, management, budgeting, and responsive governance structures to ensure the empowerment and safety of women, youth, and children.
In partnership with Action Aid Kenya and funded under DFID, AYT Mukuru implemented a project in the informal settlements of Nairobi, which was titled 'Increasing safety, mobility, access to justice, and improving gender-responsive public spaces for vulnerable women and girls living in cities'. The project aimed to organize women and girls to collectively challenge Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in public spaces. It also sought to demand state accountability and action for gender-responsive policies and public services.
In partnership with UN Women, AYT implemented the 'Young Women in Governance' (YWIG) project. The project aimed to actively involve young women in governance and development matters. YWIG was piloted in Nairobi, Kiambu, and Machakos Counties.
The program's goal is to prioritize women's economic empowerment (WEE) nationally by translating and packaging evidence on WEE into clear policy requests. This will be accomplished through the mobilization of local advocacy organizations that will champion policy change in Kenya. The program also aims to create and sustain coalitions among advocacy organizations that work on WEE by linking them to research and supporting the conversion of evidence into policy action. Moreover, the program will evaluate the impact of these endeavors.
