The Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) report, Fifteen Years On: An Evaluation of Kenya’s Women Political Representation in Relation to the Two-Thirds Gender Rule, provides a troubling assessment. It reveals a network of barriers: a patriarchal political culture, filled with violence and intimidation against women candidates; parties that overlook women during nominations; and prohibitively high campaign costs that financially exclude them. These systemic issues have hindered progress, turning constitutional goals into ongoing exclusion.

Kenya’s situation is even more pronounced when compared to other countries in the region. While our multi-party democracy is vibrant, we lag our East African neighbours in actual gender representation. Rwanda leads globally at 61% after the 2024 elections, Tanzania remains at 37.4%, and Uganda at 34.1%. The difference lies in their move from hopeful ideals to strong systems like minimum 30% quotas written into law, special electoral colleges in Rwanda, and performance-linked proportional lists in Tanzania. Kenya’s competitive model seems admirable, but without strict enforcement, it offers more illusion than reality.

The AMWIK report outlines a clear path and a strategy to compliance to the ‘two-thirds’ in due course. To move the needle, Parliament must pass laws that combine direct elections with reserved seats, particularly at the county level. It should also advocate for gender-balanced tickets for presidential and gubernatorial races, ensuring running mates of the opposite gender.

Firstly, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) should link party funding to gender-responsive nomination rules, supported by penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) should enforce these rules as conditions for elections. To eliminate financial barriers, the IEBC needs to set limits on nomination fees and campaign spending, while Parliament should strengthen swift justice against gender-based political violence.

Women themselves can play a crucial role in shifting the balance. The report indicates that more women running for office leads to better outcomes, especially when candidates consistently run in the same constituency to boost visibility.

Aspiring candidates should strategically use digital and mainstream media to counter biased narratives that focus on traditional societal roles instead of leadership skills. Clear guidelines for gender-responsive coverage that highlight manifestos and qualifications would enhance this effort, making media a powerful tool in elections.

The 2027 election represents the next test of our constitution. Leaders, political parties, and electoral bodies must commit to making the Two-Thirds Principle a priority, transforming Kenya from a place of high expectations to one of real inclusivity.

The AMWIK Report is available here

Queenter Mbori is the Executive Director, AMWIK and Founder of WoKN

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The media has always reflected Kenya’s triumphs and struggles. It plays a crucial role in protecting democracy from the grassroots to the national level. As Canadian philosopher Marshall McLuhan said, “the media is an extension of ourselves,” influencing how we understand society and hold those in power accountable. This responsibility is even more significant during tense times such as conflict, disasters, and elections, when public trust and the future of democracy rely on timely, accurate, and unbiased reporting.  

Kenya’s media journey is tied to its democratic development. From colonial-era repression, when the press was heavily controlled to serve state interests, to the growth of radio and print after independence, Kenyan media gradually became the people’s voice. During single-party rule, the government used strict censorship. However, with the liberal changes in the 1990s and the constitutional reforms of 2010, a new chapter began.

The 2010 constitution established media freedom in Article 34, banning state interference and guaranteeing independence for the first time. This progress has enabled the press to report the facts and serve as a foundation for democratic checks and balances. However, restrictive laws and practices remain, making the fight for true press freedom ongoing, especially during political contests.

Technological progress has accelerated changes in the media landscape. Kenya’s 2015 digital migration led to rapid growth, resulting in over 182 TV stations, 135 radio stations, 38 print houses, and dozens of strong online outlets by 2025. Mobile phones and social media have made sharing information easier, giving urban and rural communities quick access to news and different viewpoints. Thus, the media has become vital to national discussions, crisis reporting, and democratic engagement, despite ongoing threats from both state and non-state actors.

With these changes, the risks for journalists have increased. The Media Council of Kenya reported over 50 cases of violations of journalists’ safety and security in 2025. The rise in violence during the Finance Bill protests of 2024, when more than 40 journalists were injured, shows the dangerous environment for those reporting news. As political tensions rise with the approaching 2027 elections, these threats are likely to increase unless they are addressed proactively.

The safety of female journalists is particularly concerning. Their numbers and presence in national and local media have increased, with more women taking on leadership and reporting roles. Yet, they face a higher risk, dealing not only with common threats like assault and intimidation but also with gender-based violence, including sexual harassment, threats of sexual violence, and persistent online abuse.

According to AMWIK’s 2024 report on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV), over 60% of women journalists surveyed reported online harassment. The research shows that technology and social media can amplify voices but also target women for silencing. “This emerging violence undermines the participation of women journalists in public discussions, threatening democracy itself,” notes the AMWIK report.

The dedication and resilience of Kenya’s female journalists, which is sometimes overlooked, has shaped public debate on important topics, from social justice to legislative changes. Their safety is not just about individual well-being but about maintaining the credibility and inclusivity of our democracy.  

To move forward, we need urgent interventions. This includes targeted training in gender-sensitive and election reporting, better safety measures for both physical and online environments, quick support for journalists in danger, and mental health care to address rising stress issues recently highlighted when NTV’s Brygettes Ngana won the Journalist of the Year award.

We must prioritize improved accreditation, better access to election data, and consistent legal reforms to address online and offline attacks. Media stakeholders, government, and civil society must work together to protect the hard-won gains of press freedom and ensure an inclusive media future.  

Finally, Kenya is not immune to broader regional threats. The situation in Tanzania, where media suppression and internet shutdowns limited transparency during elections, serves as a warning. Kenya must build resilience, strengthen accountability, and ensure that no journalist, especially women, is silenced or pushed aside in their mission to report the truth.  

As 2027 nears, we must invest urgently and thoughtfully in the safety of our journalists. Our democracy, our voice, and our future depend on it.  

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If I dare to say, “I’m in too much pain to function,” the response is predictable: a shrug, a chuckle, or that tired line “That’s normal. All women go through it.”

And that’s the real problem. Pain has been recast as ordinary. Women’s suffering is not only dismissed it’s glorified. We’re handed a cultural crown of thorns and told to wear it with pride, as though endurance itself were our crowning achievement.

The Medical Gaslighting

The first betrayal often happens in the doctor’s office. Historically, women’s pain has been minimized, doubted, or outright ignored. One study found that women wait 33% longer than men to receive pain medication in emergency rooms. It’s not just a delay it’s disbelief.

This disbelief is devastating when applied to reproductive health:

• Painful Periods (Dysmenorrhea): Around 80% of women experience menstrual pain; up to 15% suffer pain so severe it disrupts work or school. Yet the advice is often reductive “Take painkiller, it’s just cramps.” This easy dismissal not only normalizes unnecessary suffering but also hides conditions like endometriosis.
• Endometriosis: Affecting 1 in 10 women globally, this condition can cause agonizing pain and infertility. Yet diagnosis takes an average of 7 to 10 years in many countries. Seven years of being told it’s “just stress” or “bad periods.” Seven years of pain treated as imaginary.
• PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome): Another 1 in 10 women battle this condition, with symptoms ranging from irregular cycles to chronic pelvic pain. Many see three or more doctors before diagnosis, enduring years of uncertainty.
• Fibroids: Affecting up to 70% of women by age 50, fibroids cause heavy bleeding, back pain, and anemia. Still, many are told to simply “manage it” until the pain becomes unbearable.

This is not medicine it’s gaslighting drapped in white coats.

The Heroism of “Showing Up”

We admire women who grit their teeth through pain as though it’s a badge of honor. The colleague who attends a meeting pale and sweating is hailed as “dedicated.” The mother who juggles child care while recovering from a C-section is “superhuman.”

But what we’re really applauding is their ability to suppress pain. We’ve built a culture where silence equals strength, and asking for relief equals weakness.

To admit, “I can’t work today, I’m doubled over with cramps,” risks judgment: lazy, unreliable, dramatic. And so we push through. We suffer in silence. We wear our pain as armor because that’s what society demands.

Motherhood: Pain as Proof of Love

No discussion of normalized pain is complete without childbirth and postpartum recovery. Labor is one of the most painful experiences a human body can endure, but it’s often romanticized as “natural” and “beautiful.” Pain relief is seen as optional, even indulgent.

And then comes postpartum. Up to 36% of women report severe pain in the first 72 hours after delivery, with many struggling for weeks. Yet they’re expected to host visitors, breastfeed, keep the house together, and return to work often without adequate medical or emotional support.

The fourth trimester is one of the most overlooked phases of women’s health. Instead of care and rest, mothers get platitudes: “That’s just how it is.”

The Cult of Resilience

This is the paradox: women are celebrated for resilience, but that celebration keeps them chained to suffering. To show up in pain is “inspiring.” To demand recognition of that pain is “complaining.”

But resilience should not mean tolerance of neglect. Stoicism is not strength; it is survival in a system designed to ignore you.

Breaking the Silence

It’s time to dismantle this narrative:

1. Believe Women: A woman’s testimony about her pain must be enough to warrant investigation and care.
2. Invest in Research: For decades, women’s health has been underfunded. Closing the gender pain gap requires more than sympathy it needs resources.
3. Change Work Culture: Workplaces should normalize conversations about menstruation, postpartum recovery, and reproductive health without stigma.
4. Reject Pain as Heroism: Stop praising women for enduring pain. Start asking why they have to.

Conclusion: Laying Down the Crown

Every month, I drag myself out of bed, push through the pain, and show up because that’s what’s expected. But showing up doesn’t mean the suffering is acceptable.

The crown of thorns society places on women bleed, ache, endure, repeat was never a gift. It’s a burden we should refuse to carry. A woman’s worth is not in how much she can endure in silence, but in her right to live without unnecessary suffering.

It’s time we stop applauding women for surviving pain and start building a world where they don’t have to.

The post The Crown of Thorns: Why Women’s Pain Is Normalized and Praised appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

Well, statistically, it has been found that more women than men suffer from mental illness. However, this has been attributed to the fact that women are more outspoken about their problems while men are trammeled with societal expectations of exhibiting stoicism, which is generally embedded in hegemonic masculinity. This makes it difficult for them to show vulnerability, which is deemed weak. But empirically speaking, yes, women in Kenya have been found to suffer more from mental issues, especially mood disorders.

In my opinion, the causes of mental illnesses are not exclusively gender biased. For instance, genetics, substance use, traumas, and even hormonal imbalance have been associated with the etiology of mental illnesses in both genders. Of course, we can’t be oblivious to the fact that hormonal imbalances/ fluctuations do occur more in women, hence the reported higher rates in mood disorders. As previously mentioned, the other plausible explanation for the notably poorer mental health among women as compared to men is women’s presumed ease in vocalizing their mental health concerns.

As we work to support women’s mental health, how can friends, colleagues, and others help?

Friends, colleagues, and other people can help by initially destigmatizing mental illness. I believe the perception held by most people, despite considerable growth in knowledge and awareness about mental health/ wellness, makes it difficult for women to come forward when they need support. This is because mental illness is still regarded as strange/bizarre.  For women who self-stigmatize, a supportive social environment can be the first step towards recovery and wellness. 

What’s your take on seeking therapy even when there are no apparent mental health issues?

The question is, can we say that there is no mental health issue? Any issue that considerably affects how you think, feel, and behave (meaning there’s a slight deviation from the norm) should be considered as something affecting your mental health. Now, that doesn’t mean that it has to be associated with or stemming from a psychopathology/ disorder, but it could mean that you need therapy to navigate it. So, yes, it is important to seek therapy to understand issues that might be causing distress, discomfort, and not necessarily depression, for example. Sometimes, new things that are causing feelings like extreme joy can warrant booking a session with your therapist. New ventures like getting married, starting a business, or deciding to have a baby might need a session with your therapist. It depends on the individual and how they navigate issues.

Regular Mental wellness checks are always good for a woman’s overall mental well-being.

This article was written by Dr. Sylvia Raywe, Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Integrative & Holistic Hospital – Karen.

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It’s routine work, but vital. These women are the backbone of Kenya’s informal sector, which contributes 35% to the national GDP.

Behind this daily enterprise lies a brutal truth. Despite their resilience, many women remain trapped in a persistent cycle of financial exploitation. Each year, billions of shillings are lost to corruption, predatory lending practices, and illicit financial flows. Whether through routine bribes, high-interest digital loans, or exclusion from formal banking services, women in the informal sector face systemic barriers that drain not only their earnings but also their potential to grow and thrive.

Claudine, Head of Business Banking for SMES at Equity Bank Kawangware, notes that many women in informal trade remain outside formal banking not by choice but due to systemic barriers.

“They’re often unable to meet basic requirements like minimum balances or collateral,” she explains. 

“Even those with thriving businesses lack things such as a minimum bank balance to access loans, car log books, title deeds, or formal business registration. That locks them out of credit and the safety of formal financial systems.”

“Many are stuck in ‘chamas’, leading them to lack money to deposit in the bank.” She adds.

They are not just traders but mothers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. They are the backbone of Kenya’s economy. But the question remains: when will the system stop working against them?

The Silent Tax: Bribery and Extortion in Informal Trade

For many women in Kenya’s informal economy, paying bribes has become routine; it is simply the cost of doing business.

Traders in open-air markets often reserve a portion of their daily earnings to “secure” their spaces from county officials or to pay middlemen who assert control over market territories. Sometimes, they also make payments to avoid harassment from police and other enforcement officers. These transactions occur off the books, lack receipts, and are unpredictable.

“They come every week, and whether you’ve made sales or not, you must pay something or they’ll threaten to close down your stall. Sometimes we even borrow just to give them,” said Irene Vugutsa, a trader in Kawangware market. 

A Transparency International report shows that women in informal trade are especially vulnerable to corruption. This is mainly because they work in public spaces where enforcement officers, who are rarely held accountable, exploit their visibility and lack legal protection. Many women recount stories of paying multiple levies to county officers, (”I face constant harassment from local authorities. The city council collects money weekly, and if I don’t have it, they threaten to shut down my stall or fine me. It’s exhausting, and it puts a massive strain on my finances. I often have to borrow just to cover the bribes and still manage to feed my family and pay business rent,” shared Kavindu, a vegetable vendor in Kawangware.), local law enforcers, and even organised groups masquerading as market regulators.

At the Kenya-Uganda border, a study by Sauti and GIACE revealed that 56% of women traders experience corruption daily, while 81% encounter it monthly. Police were cited as the primary offenders in 47% of cases, followed by revenue officials at 18%.

A report from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission estimates that informal traders lose Ksh. 238 billion annually to bribery and extortion, of which Ksh. 119 billion is lost by women.

“Yes, the city council collects money weekly. Sometimes, you have nothing at hand to give them, and they end up threatening you.” Anita, a vegetable vendor in the Kabiria area, Nairobi, states.

“ It causes financial strain… It affects my business since I can’t borrow beyond a certain limit due to outstanding debts.” Kavindu adds.

For many, the cost is not only financial. Those who refuse to comply face threats, confiscation of goods, and even gender-based harassment. Intimidation keeps them in constant fear and insecurity, hindering their ability to grow beyond mere survival.

The Dark Side of Digital Lending

To the unsuspecting clients, mobile loan apps offer a lifeline. With a smartphone and a few taps, women traders can access quick loans to restock goods, cover emergencies, or pay rent. But what seems like a financial cushion is often a trap lined with hidden fees, unrealistic repayment timelines, and punishing interest rates.

In the last decade, Kenya has seen an explosion of over 120 digital lending platforms, offering instant credit without the need for collateral. However, many of these loans come with annual interest rates as high as 400%. Borrowers often borrow from one app to pay off another, sinking deeper into a cycle of debt.

“I have used them before,” Nancy,  a hairdresser in Kawangware, explains. “The experience wasn’t good because of the threatening messages they sent and the short repayment deadlines.”

“You end up borrowing from one app to pay for the other. Before you know it, you’re blacklisted on CRB.” her collegue added.

Joseph Kairu, a financial expert at ABSA Bank, draws attention to a more insidious issue: the link between some digital lending apps and fraudulent behaviour.

“We’ve seen a rise in cases where unregulated apps don’t just exploit borrowers, they also pose cybersecurity risks,” he explains. “Some apps harvest personal data without consent, access contact lists, and can even plant spyware. These practices border on financial fraud and data breaches, and many users aren’t aware of the risks until it’s too late.”

He adds that without strict regulation and digital accountability, vulnerable groups, particularly women in informal trade, become easy targets for exploitation not only financially, but also digitally.

Alice, a second-hand clothes Dealer in Kabiria, Nairobi, shared how the system has trapped her deeper into debt:

“I took loans from a digital lending app,” also, “because I couldn’t afford to buy a smartphone in cash. So I went for a loan phone offer, but now I’m paying nearly three times more than I should. The interest rates are crazy and quite exploitative to small business owners like me.”

According to Financial Sector Deepening Kenya (FSD Kenya), a key challenge is financial literacy. Most borrowers don’t understand compound interest, hidden fees, or the terms that govern digital credit. Others aren’t aware of their rights or how to report exploitative behaviour.

Anthony Munyao, the Marketing Manager at SMEP Microfinance Bank, offers a perspective from within the financial industry. He notes that while regulation is slowly taking shape, especially with interventions from the Central Bank of Kenya, the digital lending space still operates with minimal oversight.

“It’s not that these platforms are entirely unregulated; regulation is evolving, but the digital credit sector has grown so fast that enforcement hasn’t caught up,” he explains. “Some lenders capitalize on emotional vulnerability. They know borrowers are desperate and uninformed, and that’s where exploitation thrives. Without accessible financial education and strong consumer protection, many, especially women, end up in cycles of stress, debt, and social harm.”

Claudine adds that while products like Fanikisha are designed to offer women-friendly digital lending options, adoption has been slow.

“We’ve seen that digital literacy is still a major gap. Many women are afraid to use apps because they don’t fully understand the terms. Without education and support, these tools become just another trap,” she says.

The lack of regulation means many lenders use aggressive tactics like contacting family members, employers, or clients to shame borrowers into repayment, a violation of privacy that causes emotional and social harm.

The Link Between Informality and Illicit Financial Flows

Kenya’s informal economy is extensive but predominantly operates outside formal systems. This obscured nature is not solely a consequence of informality; it also contributes to the prevalence of illicit financial flows (IFFS).

Financial exclusion forces women to depend on unregulated lenders and cash-based transactions, which are hard to monitor and tax. Women frequently face barriers when trying to access banking services, such as high minimum balance requirements for their accounts, the need for collateral, or the necessity of formally registering their businesses.

“Informality isn’t a sign of incompetence; it’s often the result of exclusion,” Claudine states. “The current system is not designed to recognize informal women entrepreneurs as legitimate. Until we fix that, they’ll keep operating in the shadows.”

This invisibility allows large suppliers in the informal economy to evade taxes, further weakening public resources. Government funds that could improve access to credit or offer business training are lost, leaving women traders to fend for themselves.

Corruption only worsens these financial leakages. When daily fees are paid as bribes instead of through official systems, the money ends up in shadow economies instead of contributing to national development.

Breaking the Cycle: The Need for Policy Reform

A multi-pronged strategy is needed to address the complex challenges facing Kenya’s informal economy and digital lending space. This includes enforcing regulations on digital lenders to cap interest rates, ensure transparent repayment terms, and penalize harassment, as outlined in the Central Bank of Kenya’s Digital Credit Providers Regulations 2021. According to the GIACE report, County governments should combat corruption in informal markets by eliminating illegal levies, digitizing payments, and holding corrupt officials accountable. Financial inclusion must be boosted by developing affordable, accessible credit tailored to informal traders without collateral or registration, as stated in a study by Mercy Corps. 

Claudine emphasizes the importance of intentional onboarding and support.

“You can’t just build products and expect women to come. We have to engage with them, build trust, explain options clearly, and offer solutions that match their income patterns,” she says.

“Financial literacy must go hand in hand with access, it’s the only way to create lasting inclusion.”

“Women, especially those in low-income and informal sectors, often lack access to accurate financial information. Strengthening financial literacy can empower them to make informed decisions, avoid over-indebtedness, and assert their consumer rights.”  Stated in the FSD Kenya report. 

Finally, the Deloitte Policy Analysis suggests that formalizing informal businesses through tax breaks and simplified registration can help integrate them into the formal economy. 

The women of Kenya’s informal economy strive to do their best. They work hard, support their families, and generate billions in economic value. But despite their contributions, they remain on the margins, exploited, ignored, and overburdened.

While institutions such as Equity Bank and Mercy Corps focus on onboarding and education, others emphasize the need for broader systemic change.

“Digital lending in Kenya grew faster than regulation could keep up,” says Anthony. “In the rush to fill credit gaps, oversight lagged behind innovation. Now, we’re seeing the consequences of exorbitant rates, privacy violations, and deepening debt cycles. Regulation must catch up, but so must our efforts to reach those being left behind.”

As one trader stated,

“I’m struggling to feed my family and pay business rent. I want to grow, but these debts, high taxes, and bribes hold me back.”

The fight for justice in Kenya’s informal economy concerns not only money but dignity, security, and the right to thrive.

Kenya’s future rests on the backs of its women traders. The question now is: Will the system continue to fail them, or will it finally rise to protect them?

CREDIT: “The project received support from the Thomson Reuters Foundation through the Media Foundation for West Africa, as part of its global work aiming to strengthen free, fair and informed societies. Any financial assistance or support provided to the journalist has no editorial influence. The content of this article belongs solely to the author and is not endorsed by or associated with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, Thomson Reuters, Reuters, nor any other affiliates”.

The post Women in the Informal Sector are Vital to Kenya’s Economy, Yet They Lose Billions Due to Corruption appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

Today, as the founder and CEO of Giving Light Society, Ivon is a beacon of hope for countless women and girls from marginalized communities. Founded in 2023, the organization is the culmination of her deep-seated passion for fostering peaceful and fulfilling lives. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Psychology, coupled with studies in Project Management and Chinese Language and Culture, Ivon’s academic pursuits further fuel her commitment to social justice, providing her with a deeper understanding of the complexities of gender-sensitive issues.

Her path to empowerment began with a period of intense learning and mentorship. From May 2023 to January 2024, Ivon immersed herself in meetings and discussions with seasoned advocates, absorbing their wisdom and strategies for supporting marginalized women. Alongside this, she engaged in charitable acts, providing essential aid to orphans and children in rescue centers. This confluence of experiences sparked a vision: to create a structured platform for collective action, addressing the systemic barriers that perpetuate gender inequality.

Giving Light Society embodies a holistic approach to empowerment, encompassing four key programs: mental health, girl child education (Kairetu), skills development and economic empowerment, and the Mother Heart program. The mental health program, spearheaded by six trained mentors, provides crucial support to individuals grappling with emotional and psychological challenges, often stemming from GBV and trauma. Weekly meetings and webinars facilitate project planning, enabling the team to address critical issues such as teenage motherhood, postpartum depression, and the early onset of emotional distress in children as young as grade four. Ivon’s determination to reach more individuals is hampered by the critical need for additional trained mentors.

The Kairetu program, named after the Kikuyu word for “girl,” focuses on menstrual health and education, a crucial aspect of SRHR. Reaching over 10,000 girls in densely populated schools across Kibera, Makueni, Kasarani, and Meru, the program provides essential resources and mentorship, breaking down barriers to education caused by lack of menstrual hygiene products. In drought-prone Makueni, a partnership with Uhuru International enabled the distribution of reusable sanitary pads, addressing a critical need and promoting sustainable health practices.

Skills development and economic empowerment are woven into the organization’s fabric, directly addressing economic empowerment gaps. Beyond mental health and menstrual hygiene, Giving Light Society equips women and girls with practical skills, including beading, crocheting, and baking. The organization fosters entrepreneurship and economic independence by providing raw materials and connecting trainees with financial literacy experts. Partners in the finance industry then provide training on saving, investing, and accessing credit, empowering women to break the cycle of poverty.

The Mother Heart program underscores the interconnection of health and environment. The Eco-Mind sub-program promotes mental well-being through nature walks and park cleanups. At the same time, the nascent waste management initiative aims to provide litter bins to schools and rescue centers, fostering sustainable practices. However, Ivon’s vision to expand these vital environmental initiatives is significantly limited by a lack of funding.

Ivon Mukui’s story is a powerful reminder that adversity can be a catalyst for change. She transformed her experiences into a force for good, creating a sanctuary where women and girls can find support, empowerment, and a voice. Through Giving Light Society, Ivon is not just illuminating paths; she is forging a brighter future for generations to come, despite operating primarily on her and her friends’ limited resources.

Call to Action: Giving Light Society, driven by Ivon’s unwavering dedication, is a testament to the power of grassroots initiatives. However, the organization’s ability to expand its reach and impact is constrained by financial limitations. Ivon, a dedicated student, and her friends self-fund the organization. We call upon organizations and individuals who share Ivon’s passion for gender justice, SRHR, health, and economic empowerment to join in supporting Giving Light Society. Your contributions will enable Ivon and her team to reach more women and girls from marginalized communities, providing them with the tools and resources they need to thrive. Together, we can help Ivon turn her vision into a reality, forging a more equitable and just society.

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They hosted an event themed ‘Empowering Women in Waste Management’ that went beyond the usual expected symbolic gestures, directly addressing the challenges faced by women working in informal settlements. This initiative, centered around the ‘Sikiliza Sauti Yetu, Dunia Inaita! (SSY)’ project, highlighting how addressing climate change can simultaneously unlock economic opportunities for women. 

A core focus of the event was to dismantle the stigma surrounding women in waste management, emphasizing the vital role they play in Nairobi’s environmental health. While speaking to Doddy Okelo, the communication strategist for OAY, he stressed the need to recognize these women’s work as equally valuable to any other profession, challenging the common perception that they are merely “garbage collectors.” He highlighted the importance of fostering a sense of pride and dignity, particularly among young mothers and teen parents who often face additional burdens.

“Beyond the stigma, women in waste management encounter significant challenges. Reports of sexual harassment and rape cast a dark shadow over their daily work, and wage inequality persists,” Okelo noted. He went ahead to state that the burden of motherhood is particularly acute, with many women forced to bring their children to work due to a lack of affordable childcare.

Furthermore, Doddy, speaking to Woman Kenya Network, stated that many women lack access to proper safety equipment and training. However, according to him, OAY is actively working with civil society organizations to address these issues, including developing robust reporting mechanisms and providing support for survivors of gender-based violence. 

He further noted that the organization is committed to transitioning to a circular economy, where waste is transformed into valuable resources. This vision is intrinsically linked to women’s empowerment, with women playing a crucial role in driving this change. The event featured representatives from organizations working in this area, emphasizing the importance of waste segregation at the household level as a crucial first step toward sustainability.

This International Women’s Day initiative was not a one-day event, but a catalyst for ongoing change. The commitment to addressing gender-based violence, promoting wage equality, and supporting working mothers is a testament to the dedication of OAY and its partners. The stories shared by the women present served as a powerful reminder of their resilience and determination. They are not merely “garbage collectors,” but environmental stewards, community leaders, and agents of change. 

Their voices, once silenced, are now being amplified, demanding recognition, respect, and equal opportunities. As Nairobi moves forward, the lessons learned will continue to resonate. By empowering women in waste management, the city is building a cleaner environment and a more just and equitable society. The journey is far from over, but the women of Nairobi lead the charge, turning waste into opportunity and transforming their communities.

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The numbers are haunting. Twelve million girls are married before the age of 18 every year. Twelve million futures are rewritten. Twelve million lives are altered forever. For each of these girls, childhood ends abruptly. They are thrust into adulthood, expected to bear children and manage households when they should be in school, dreaming of what they could become. Child marriage doesn’t just steal their childhood; it robs them of education, economic opportunities, and a future of their choosing.  

But child marriage is not merely a girl’s issue. It’s a human rights issue. It’s about a society’s failure to protect its most vulnerable. It’s about perpetuating cycles of poverty, illiteracy, and gender inequality. It’s about the world turning a blind eye to millions of girls, whose only crime is being born female.  

Why Is Progress So Slow?

If the world recognizes the harm child marriage causes, why is progress so painfully slow? The answers lie in a complex web of cultural norms, economic pressures, and political inertia. In many communities, child marriage is seen as a way to secure a girl’s future, protect her from sexual violence, or ease financial burdens on the family. In reality, it achieves the opposite.  

Married girls are often pulled out of school, isolating them from education and economic opportunities. They are more likely to experience domestic violence and have higher risks of pregnancy complications due to their young age. Their children are also more likely to face health issues and struggle with education. The cycle of poverty continues.  

Yet, cultural norms alone don’t explain why change is so slow. Political will or rather, the lack of it is another major barrier. Many countries have laws setting the minimum marriage age at 18, but these laws are riddled with loopholes, allowing child marriages under religious or customary laws. Inconsistent enforcement and weak legal systems further undermine progress.  

International efforts to end child marriage often suffer from fragmented approaches and insufficient funding. Despite the clear link between child marriage and poverty, health issues, and gender inequality, investments in programs to end this practice remain alarmingly low.  

The Cost of Inaction

The consequences of inaction are dire. According to the World Bank, ending child marriage could generate billions of dollars in economic benefits by reducing population growth, improving educational attainment, and boosting earnings for women. But the cost of maintaining the status quo is not just financial. It’s about lost potential. It’s about dreams deferred. It’s about girls who could have been doctors, engineers, leaders, or innovators but were denied the chance to even try.  

If nothing changes, 150 million more girls will become child brides by 2030. That’s 150 million lives sacrificed to an outdated tradition that has no place in the modern world.  

What Needs to Change?

The world cannot afford to wait until 2092. We need to accelerate change, and that requires a multi-pronged approach:  

1. Stronger Laws and Enforcement: It’s not enough to have laws on paper. Governments must close loopholes and enforce laws consistently. This includes setting strict penalties for those who facilitate child marriages.  
2. Education as a Lifeline: Education is one of the most powerful tools to prevent child marriage. Girls who stay in school are less likely to marry early. We must invest in quality education that empowers girls, not just academically but also socially and economically.  
3. Economic Support for Families: In many communities, child marriage is driven by poverty. Families see daughters as economic burdens or sources of dowry. Economic empowerment programs, including cash transfers, vocational training, and microfinance, can provide alternatives.  
4. Community Engagement and Norm Change: Ending child marriage requires challenging deeply held beliefs and norms. Community leaders, religious figures, and local influencers must be involved to shift mindsets. Girls’ voices should be at the center of these conversations.

The Time for Action is Now

We cannot wait another 68 years. We must act with urgency and determination. Ending child marriage is not just about saving girls from a harmful tradition. It’s about creating a world where every girl is free to dream, free to learn, and free to choose her future.  

A girl born today deserves more than to wait until she’s 68 to see justice. She deserves a childhood. She deserves an education. She deserves a chance. The question is, do we have the courage to make that a reality?  

The clock is ticking. Let’s not wait until 2092. Let’s act today. 

The post Dawns of freedom; End Early Child Marriages appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

Meanwhile, others like April Mason focus on healing and self-worth, while Kim Anami dives into blending femininity with sensuality and spiritual empowerment.  

On the surface, it seems like a positive shift. In a world where hustle culture and hyper-independence are often the gold standard, embracing softness, emotional intelligence, and receptivity feels like a breath of fresh air. For many women, it’s a chance to step back and say, “I don’t have to be everything to everyone to be worthy.” The idea that softness and emotional depth are powerful traits rather than vulnerabilities is an empowering concept, especially for women who feel overwhelmed by the constant juggling of career, family, and personal goals.  

But, just like anything that seems too good to be true, there’s a flip side. The conversation around femininity coaching starts to feel a little more charged. Critics argue that some of these coaches aren’t helping women reclaim their power; they’re just repackaging outdated gender norms. Instead of promoting authentic self-expression, they’re presenting an idealized version of femininity that revolves around pleasing men and securing relationships. A woman’s value, in this narrative, is based on her ability to attract a “provider,” not on her achievements or aspirations.  

Some voices in the space claim that modern feminism has misled women and moved them away from their “natural place” in relationships. The feminine ideal they promote centers around submission, grace, and emotional availability, and anything outside of that is seen as an anomaly.  

So, is femininity coaching empowering, or is it just patriarchy dressed in lipstick and a pink dress? Maybe the real question isn’t whether femininity coaching is inherently right or wrong, but whether it allows women to define femininity on their terms. Some women are drawn to the idea of embracing traditional femininity, while others find strength in independence and career success. Many are searching for a balanced way to express both their nurturing sides and their independence.  

The truth is, that true empowerment comes from the freedom to choose your path without feeling boxed in by societal expectations. It’s not about fitting into any mold, whether that’s one of softness or assertiveness. What matters is that we express ourselves authentically, without having to conform to someone else’s idea of who we should be. Femininity, like love, is unique to each individual. Whether we’re loving ourselves or others, the real power lies in embracing who we are, free from external pressures.

The post Is Feminism Empowerment or Reinforced Stereotypes? appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

In 2024, Kenya reached a heartbreaking milestone. More women were killed last year than ever before. It’s not just the numbers that haunt us, it’s the cruelty behind them. Women are being murdered in their homes, on the streets, by the people they trust most. Husbands. Boyfriends. Relatives. Friends. It’s not random. It’s not faceless. It’s personal.  

A report from African Uncensored and Odipo Dev paints a grisly picture. The methods are brutal and inhumane. Household items, the same tools used to prepare meals or build a home, are now weapons of destruction. And the violence is spreading like a whirlwind. Nairobi leads in femicide cases, but smaller towns like Kisii, Kitui, Meru, and Nyeri are catching up. There’s no safe corner left.  

The danger is more acute for younger women. More than half of those murdered last year were 30 or younger. These were women just starting their lives, chasing careers, raising children, and, dreaming of better days. Now, their futures have been stolen, and their families are left to pick up the pieces.  

Despite Kenya’s Constitution and laws promising protection, femicide remains undefined in our legal system. These murders are prosecuted as regular homicides, erasing the gendered nature of the crime. How can justice be served when the very essence of the violence is overlooked?

On the brighter side, there have been steps forward. Convictions have risen by 118% compared to the previous years. Average sentences have increased to 23 years. But what does that mean for the woman who might be killed tonight? whose killer might walk scot-free because the system is too slow or too flawed to hold him accountable. 

President William Ruto’s allocation of Ksh. 100 million to fund a 16-day anti-femicide campaign in November 2024 was a step in the right direction. But campaigns alone cannot bring back the women we’ve lost or protect those still at risk.

What’s the Way Forward?

We can’t afford to keep losing women like this. Ending this crisis requires collective action from stakeholders across the board. The change we need isn’t complicated, it’s urgent and overdue. 

•  Name It for What It Is: Femicide must be recognized in Kenyan law. These crimes are not like other murders; they’re driven by gendered violence and need to be treated as such.  
• Faster Justice: Four years is too long for a family to wait for a verdict. Our justice system must prioritize femicide cases, dedicating resources to ensure timely and thorough investigations.
• Protection of Survivors: Women who escape violence need safe shelters, mental health support, and financial aid to rebuild their lives. These services should be accessible to all, especially in rural and remote areas.  
• Cultural Change: Violence against women isn’t just a crime; it’s a mindset. Communities need education and conversations that challenge harmful norms and foster respect for women’s lives.  
• Commitment to Prevention: This crisis won’t end with punishment alone. Prevention starts at the roots, with investments in programs that empower women, educate boys, and provide economic opportunities to reduce dependency on toxic relationships.  
• Media: The media holds immense power in shaping narratives and driving change. It must move beyond sensationalism and focus on storytelling that humanizes victims and educates the public. Stories should highlight the systemic issues behind femicide and amplify the voices of survivors, advocates, and those working to prevent violence.

This isn’t just a government issue, it’s about all of us. When we hear screams from next door, when we see signs of abuse in our workplaces, when we notice a friend withdrawing, what do we do? Do we look the other way? Or do we act?  

These women were not nameless. They had stories and laughter to share, and their lives mattered. If we forget them, if we let the outrage fade, it’s not just them we’re failing, it’s every woman who will come after them.  

Change doesn’t come from campaigns, high-end conferences, or speeches alone. It comes from the choices we make every day, in our homes, in our communities, and in our hearts.  

They deserved better. Now, it’s up to us to make sure no one else becomes a number in this ongoing tragedy.  

The post THE HUB OF FEMICIDE  appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.