Reducing families’ and children’s exposure to gender-based violence and improving their resilience in Kibera

Local partner

The Kibera Girls Soccer Academy (KGSA), PADEM’s first Kenyan partner (2007), was originally an initiative of a Nairobian who grew up in Kibera: Abdul Kassim, a telecommunications engineer. Because of his life experiences, he wanted to launch initiatives in his slum to promote gender equality, to say NO to teenage pregnancies, school dropouts and gender-based violence, and to break the norms of gender in Kenya.

In addition, KGSA has experience in housing projects, in particular with UN Habitat (the United Nations Habitat programme). The NGO was able to capitalize on previous achievements to learn lessons. The association also built a school which is another notable building experience.

Context

In June 2021, the Government of Kenya unveiled a policy brief titled “Kenya’s Roadmap to Advance Gender Equality, End All Forms of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Female Genital Mutilation women by 2026”. The country has made commitments to remove systemic barriers that allow GBV to thrive. While this commitment is commendable, Kenya has seen a steady increase in GBV since the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The mission

The objective of the mission is to reduce the exposure and increase the resilience of vulnerable families to gender-based violence. Thus, the project will allow 50 families to live in safer homes and neighbourhoods.

Activities

-Renovate and improve the equipment of the houses.

-Install street lighting at night.

-Raise community awareness on child protection.

-Train heads of families in income-generating activities and allow them access to revolving funds.

Beneficiaries

100 vulnerable families exposed to gender-based violence (400 persons)