1000 Kibera slum girls empowered to excel

Millions of women and girls around the world are stigmatised, excluded and discriminated against simply because they menstruate. It’s not acceptable that because of a natural bodily function women and girls continue to be prevented from getting an education, earning an income and fully and equally participating in everyday life. The situation is even grimmer in informal settlements such as Kibera that tare also underpinned by poverty. The month of may was strategic for a number of activities that in the long term seek to; 

• Break the taboos and end the stigma surrounding menstruation
• Raise awareness about the challenges regarding access to menstrual products, education about menstruation.

Two key activities are the community pads drive, that saw the distribution of 600 sanitary towels at the community as well as hygiene conversations with adolescent girls and young women in the community. Another key activity was the boy’s mentorship as this was very strategic in having boys and men as strategic key partners in ending period shame. 50boys and a further 40 men were engaged in this activity with an intention to further engage them in community.

The girls and young women summit was held at the Good Samaritan Conference Hotel in Kisumu. Girls from Kibera were able to highlight strategically matters that are close to them and get commitments from partners to support them. The event was officially launched by the Director of Gender, Kisumu County, who made an emphasis that GBV, not only affects the poor but also affects the elite in the community. She also highlighted that 1 in every 3 women undergo gender based violence on a regular and encouraged GYW to speak out boldly against GBV. A panel discussion was instigated on the Role of GYW in taking the lead role to drive changes on the issues affecting them.

The girls also discussed how the government is affecting project implementation as follows;

1. The current school curriculum prevents mentors from speaking about sex education issues.
2. New government officials need sensitization on the project.
3. Kisumu and Nairobi County have a good working relationship with the Gender Departments.

How do they map out spaces for young women?

1. Girl representation in the Gender Technical Working Groups.
2. Linking GYW with Local Administration officers who engage them in local decision making platforms such as Barraza’s and public participations.

How are GYW involved in the CIDP making process?

1. Director of gender helped GYW in Kisumu to come up with their priorities and a submission was done.
2. Gils in GYW through the State Department of Gender assessed C1DP 1 and CIDP 2 to inform CIDP 3 and assisted them in drafting and submitting a memo.

The summit was very strategic in allowing girls acces spaces and have influence in them.

How do GYW challenge social cultural norms?

1. Engaging in community dialogues. It is a transformative process to enable change in attitude.

Are there any She Leads Programs targeting boys?

1. Male and Boy Champions are included in our programs.
2. Mentorship sessions for boys.

Do we engage PWDs in our programs?

1. A Memo Submitted on PWD inclusion in the transport bill.