Women Empowerment
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Empowering Women & girls
Women are said to be the backbone of the, family, economy and society at large, yet in most cases that potential has not been fully tapped because poverty and discrimination have left them vulnerable and disenfranchised. WYCDO Kenya believes that when empowered, women & girls have the greatest potential to trigger positive transformation right from the family level which in turn spills over to the community and to the nation at large . Women are naturally endowed with the unique capability to address and solve difficulties affecting their families particularly children. An empowered woman brings up empowered children and contributes more effectively in the community.
Consequently WYCDO is working with more than 20 women groups in Nairobi, Muranga, Kajiado and Nyeri representing more than 2000 women and girls and families. We are undertaking various empowerment programs that include :
(i) Women & girls Groups: Mobilization , solidarity and group development
We recognise the need to build common spaces where women & girls can come together to develop solidarity and social capital . WYCDO is proving platforms for women and girls to come together to dialogue, share stories about their lives, learn together , network and build common ground for growth and development . This way women & girls start to realise that they are not on their own in their problems/challenges which in itself empowers them and builds confidence to approach life. This processes aim to build social capital and attract partnerships around the groups. This part of our program aims to develop a movement of transformation that leads to action and participation, learning sharing and networking. We believe that when women & girls come together great things happen, change happens!
Impact:
- Over 20 groups of women girls formed representing more than 2000 representatives in Nairobi, Nyeri and Kajiado.
- All the groups are equipped with tools and strategies for solidarity building to reduce vulnerability and advocate for their rights
- All the groups meet weekly and are saving and growing together
(ii) Women Economic Empowerment
According to UN Women “ Investing in women’s economic empowerment sets 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. In our experience, more women engage in income-generating activities to combat poverty and generate income for their families
WYDO’s women and girls economic empowerment entails forming Self-help groups aiming to build solidarity in savings and investments, sharing business ideas and acting as a community development platform. We mobilize and provide platforms that bring people together at the community level to develop solidarity and form development self-help groups. We are developing capability for group formation, social welfare and economic enhancement including networking and learning.
Groups and individuals also go through psycho-social support, financial literacy and business development, life skills, effective parenting, health and self-care and gender empowerment. Building women & girls collective power
Impact
- We are working with gifted women that are making grafts and selling them both locally and internationally. WYCDO plays a key role in market linkages, developing group capacities to understand markets and product development and general entrepreneurship development
- WYCDO has facilitated formation of over 20 groups representing over 1000 women who are currently involved in table banking (self help groups, savings and loaning) and doing business together
- Together with EPTF and other partners WYCDO Kenya has trained over 500 women in business skills development and entrepreneurship . These business are continuously mentored and guided . Business clubs that facilitate business owners to come together and learn from each other are held on a quarterly basis.
- In partnership with China Open House we are supporting 30 women owned businesses with small grants to improve profitability and social impact through a revolving fund.