𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

Across the globe, the narrative of women’s financial dependency on male relatives, be they brothers, fathers or husbands has historically constrained their autonomy.

This dependency has not only limited women’s ability to shape their own destinies but also stifled their voices, desires and aspirations.

Recognizing that empowering a woman is akin to investing in the broader society, a community-based organisation has rolled out an initiative targeting over 700 women in Nakuru, Kajiado and Narok Counties to enable women to amplify their voices, paving the path towards a gender-equal world.

Dandelion Africa is promoting the creation of economic opportunities that enable women within the three devolved units targeted to enable them to be financially independent and self-sufficient. The venture is prioritizing entrepreneurship training and mentorship programs.

According to Executive Director of Dandelion Africa Ms Wendo Aszed, empowerment is not just a goal for women but a foundational pillar for a resilient, inclusive and equitable society.

Ms Aszed indicates that the project is empowering women in Arid and Semi-Arid areas of the targeted counties to adopt climate-smart farming and build their resilience to climate shocks. This way, she says Kenya can protect water and food security, as well as livelihoods.

“Women’s role in food nutrition and security remains crucial and equipping them with necessary skills to engage in climate-smart agriculture will provide the silver bullet needed to drive us into the world of abundance,” she stated.

Dandelion Africa is skilling the beneficiaries to help them better understand their diverse environments and adaptation measures badly needed to improve livelihoods, incomes and living conditions.

Aszed indicates that with better knowledge of farming methods, women will be able to boost productivity in the three counties easily. This, she adds, is targeted at fighting poverty and achieving food and nutritional security, as well as sustainable development.

Through an entrepreneurship class, the women have been introduced to table banking, a community based financial system that allows members to pool savings and grow their money.

“Through the class, the beneficiaries have not only gained practical skills but also learnt critical lessons about running a sustainable business. One of the key take-aways has been the importance of maintaining a financial cushion, a buffer that allows for business expansion and weathering tough times,” explains the Executive Director.

Aszed notes that women in marginalized communities often bear the brunt of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution due to systematic gender inequalities.

She adds that climate change impacts such as extreme weather events and altered disease patterns often disproportionately affect women’s health and livelihoods.

In many regions, the Executive Director stated, women serve as primary caregivers and providers of food and water for their families, making them more susceptible to the consequences of the ecosystem degradation and resource scarcity.

Ms. Aszed explains that the project incorporates a component that empowers and actively involves women in climate action and presents a framework to address impacts on women, children and nature.

She affirms that measures such as providing access to education, health care and economic opportunities for women and children, promoting nature-based solutions and fostering community resilience are crucial for mitigating adverse effects of climate change.

She points out that the initiative recognizes and values the indigenous knowledge possessed by women, as across generations they have been stewards of traditional wisdom, passed down through oral traditions and practical experience.

The initiative also incorporates a campaign against gender-based violence, teenage pregnancies, female circumcision and early marriages in the three counties.

Community members have been trained on how to report violation of their rights and those of their children so that the legal process is followed for them to get justice.

Chiefs and village elders have also been sensitized against settling defilement cases through 'Kangaroo’ courts, as the process compromised justice to the disadvantage of the affected girls.

Aszed says Dandelion Africa has been using vernacular radio stations, drama and theatre to enhance knowledge on gender-based violence and Female Genital Mutilation.

“Elders involved in mediation in these villages have been trained on basic human rights as settling some matters locally denies women, men and young girls and boys justice,” she states.

In most cases, parents do not report cases of crimes including female genital mutilation (FGM), defilement and rape for fear of embarrassing their families.

Part of the project also entails encouraging men subjected to GBV to open up, report to authorities and seek counseling at health facilities.

Ms Prisca Chemoda from Marigat Self Help Group notes that limited access to resources and participation in economic decisions that impact women’s lives, as well as men’s portrayal as sole breadwinners, not only reinforces women’s dependency but also gives men financial power to dictate how resources will be used

Chemoda states that through the initiative she no longer regrets exclusion from formal financial systems after learning about table banking, as she can now easily access credit without going through bureaucratic processes required by banks.

Margaret Akinyi from Machungara Self Help Group indicates that the mentorship and empowerment initiative has uplifted her through financial literacy, technical skills, and entrepreneurial training.

“I have learnt that Wealth is not only about the money in your pocket but also your belief system and support network,” offers Akinyi.

Ms Rehema Kipeanju from Narom is happy that the project is helping address the patriarchal and patrilineal traditions ingrained in Kenyan society simultaneously creating an inclusive environment for every woman to learn, grow, and progress without barriers.

Ms Kipeanju indicates that gender equality is linked to improved development outcomes, like reduced vulnerable employment and extreme poverty for women.