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Kenya’s Leadership Crisis: Why Political Parties Must Be Open to Women in Politics
Are women in politics locked out before the political race even begins?
Imagine a woman in her 30s. She’s not famous. She’s not rich. But she’s trusted. She’s led community savings groups, mobilized disaster relief, taught hundreds of children, and knows her county’s struggles inside and out.
When she walks into her political party office to seek nomination, she finds silence. Closed doors. Or worse dismissive laughter.
This is no isolated story.
Political parties in Kenya are the official gateways to leadership. Yet for many women, that gateway is guarded by silence, power, and exclusion. Despite constitutional promises, the path to political office remains blocked long before election day.
The Gender Audit by CRAWN Trust confirms what many already know but rarely say out loud: party structures are built to preserve power not share it. Women are routinely locked out not by lack of ambition, but by design.
Until political parties intentionally open their doors and support women from the ground up, Kenya’s democracy remains incomplete.
Women’s Political Participation Must Begin: Inside Party Nomination Systems
We often think of elections as the start of the democratic process. But are they? If history serves us right in, the real decisions especially the ones that matter most happen long before ballots are printed.
They happen inside party primaries and examples include:
- Who gets nominated
- Who gets funded
- Who is protected from smear campaigns and political violence
These decisions aren’t made in public. Instead, they’re made in backrooms and unfortunately, by men, for men. Kenya’s nomination processes are opaque, chaotic, and deeply political. Loyalty to male, dominated power blocs often trumps merit.
Meanwhile, violence, intimidation, and coercion go unchecked. The results are young women, especially those without wealthy sponsors or elite networks, are told to wait. Told to step aside. Or told nothing at all.
In Kisumu, a young woman recounted how her name was quietly removed from the party list. No reason. No explanation. No support. Just silence.
“Young female politicians like me are usually rigged out when you start off without the support and mentorship of the political big wigs… you must be nominated by the dominant party, if not you automatically lose.” A young female aspirant from Kisumu County
What many voters don’t realize is the general election is the tail end of democracy, not the beginning. If women are excluded at the nomination level, they’re already out of the game.
Sadly, it’s the reality and Kenya is poorer for it.
Why Women Are Excluded from Party Power Structures
What exactly keeps women out of political parties? It’s tempting to think it’s just about access to the ballot, but the problem runs much deeper. At its core, it’s about who holds the power and how that power is protected.
Inside most political parties, decision-making is dominated by small, male-dominated networks. They control the lifeblood of politics: money, messaging, strategy, and nominations. Even women with strong public support, proven leadership, and community trust are too often relegated to symbolic roles placed in “women’s leagues,” “gender seats,” or simply asked to support from the sidelines.
Two hidden forces reinforce this exclusion, money and stereotypes. Together, they build a wall around political leadership that women must climb alone.
The Money Barrier for Women in Politics
Campaign financing remains one of the most decisive and least discussed barriers to women’s political participation.
While Kenya has passed legislation on regulating political finance, meaningful implementation has stalled. Some laws intended to regulate political finance and promote transparency include:
- The Election Campaign Financing Act of 2013 empowers the IEBC to set spending limits and monitor contributions.
- The Political Parties Act of 2011 requires political parties to maintain financial accountability and promote gender inclusion.
- The Political Parties (Funding) Regulations, 2019 and the Election Campaign Financing Regulations, 2016 (Complementary regulations) define how funds should be reported, capped, and publicly disclosed.
| Legislation / Regulation | Main Provisions |
| Election Campaign Financing Act (2013) | Empowers IEBC to regulate spending and enforce compliance |
| Political Parties Act (2011) | Establishes public funding mechanisms, transparency, and gender representation |
| Funding Regulations (2019) | Details mandatory accounting, audits, and disclosure requirements |
| Campaign Financing Regulations (2016) | Defines spending caps, donor limits, and contribution thresholds |
However, enforcement remains weak. Parliament has delayed the implementation of key provisions, while regulatory bodies like the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) and Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) often lack the will or capacity to demand compliance.
This legal vacuum allows political parties to avoid scrutiny, leaving women aspirants without the financial support or safeguards they need to compete fairly. As noted by watchdogs, the public funding of political parties in Kenya lacks real scrutiny, further widening the gender gap in political participation.
Without access to those financial networks, many women are seen as “non-viable” candidates regardless of their qualifications. The reality is stark and without money, even the most promising female leader cannot sustain a competitive campaign.
And yet, few parties have internal policies to support or subsidize women aspirants. They are often left to fundraise alone, in silence, or abandon their campaigns entirely.
Political Gendered Narratives that Silence Women in Politics
Even when money is not the issue, harmful social narratives remain a persistent force of exclusion. Women in politics are still judged by a different standard. They are called “too emotional,” “too soft,” or even “too distracted by family life.”
Those who dare to lead with confidence are quickly branded as “aggressive,” “unfeminine,” or “disrespectful.” These judgments don’t just exist in public opinion they seep into party leadership decisions.
Such stereotypes don’t only damage women’s chances. They reinforce the status quo, allowing male-dominated leadership to justify exclusion under the guise of “electability” or “party unity.”
Through its Women’s Steering Committee, CRAWN Trust is pushing back by training women, fostering solidarity, and building the kind of political capital that demand inclusion and redefines leadership itself.
Because if women can’t lead within political parties, they will continue to be shut out of the country’s most powerful decisions. And a democracy that silences half its citizens cannot call itself whole.
How Political Parties Evade Gender Laws in Kenya
Kenya’s legal framework for gender inclusion is one of the most progressive in Africa on paper which include:
- Article 27(6) and (8) mandate affirmative action to redress past discrimination.
- Article 81(b) says that no more than two, thirds of any elected or appointed body can be of the same gender.
- The Political Parties Act (2022) requires that political parties include women in decision, making structures.
But laws without accountability are just paper promises.
Many political parties comply just enough to avoid deregistration. They appoint women to decorative roles or submit vague gender policies without action. The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) lacks the will to enforce compliance.
Reforms like the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) and Multi-Sectoral Working Group (MSWG) proposals aim to introduce gender top, ups by 2027, but they risk becoming performative unless matched by internal party reforms.
CRAWN Trust is pushing for new laws while demanding that existing ones be honored. That political parties stop finding loopholes and start honoring their constitutional duty.
Women in Politics Who Broke Through. But at What Cost?
Yes, there are women who’ve succeeded in politics. But most of them did it despite their political parties not because of them.
Think of Martha Karua, a fierce advocate for justice and constitutionalism. Or Charity Ngilu, who weathered decades of political turbulence. Or Shakilla Abdalla, who transitioned from activism to public office.
Their stories are inspiring but they’re also the exception, not the rule.
That’s the problem.
Kenya doesn’t need more exceptional women who manage to survive toxic political systems. We need inclusive systems that make women’s success common, replicable, and sustainable. Because, resilience shouldn’t be a requirement for representation.
What Political Parties Must Change for Inclusive Leadership
So, how do we move from exclusion to inclusion?
It starts with bold, tangible reforms inside political parties:
- Internal Gender Quotas: Enforce inclusion in party leadership and policy bodies—not just nomination lists.
- Transparent Nomination Processes: Publicize criteria, timelines, and decisions.
- Fundraising Platforms: Level the playing field with women, led finance networks and crowdfunding tools.
- Mentorship Pipelines: Train, support, and prepare women from grassroots to county and national leadership.
- Gender Compliance Scorecards: Publicly track party performance using tools like CRAWN’s Gender Audit.
The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties must file reports and enforce change, while voters must hold parties accountable, including individual candidates.
CRAWN Trust continues to convene dialogue forums, support women aspirants, and build pressure for deep systemic reform.
Citizens, Voters, and Allies: Your Role in Reforming Political Parties
Democracy is not the job of politicians alone, but the work of everyone and especially those who’ve never been invited to the table.
Here’s what you can do if you are a:
- Party member: Demand gender, inclusive structures and fair primaries.
- Voter: Ask tough questions. Who does your party fund? Who gets supported early?
- Civil society or the media: Track commitments. Publish scorecards. Keep receipts.
- Male leader: Don’t compete, mentor. Open doors. Step aside when needed.
- Woman dreaming of leadership: You are not alone. Others have walked this road and the movement is growing.
Through public campaigns, civic education, and grassroots coalition, building, CRAWN Trust is working to ensure that citizens shape their parties—not the other way around.
Include Women in Politics or We Fail Democracy
Let’s ask the hard question:
Can we call Kenya a democracy if half the population is locked out of political leadership?
The answer is no.
Political parties are more than vehicles for elections. They are the gateways to power, and unless those gateways are reformed, women will remain on the margins regardless of how many laws we pass.
The Gender Audit by CRAWN Trust reveals a broken system but offers a roadmap for fixing it. But laws and data won’t change the system. People will.
People like you.
Build the Future For Women in Politics with Us
If you’re a:
- Party member, demand internal reform.
- Policymaker, enforce the law.
- Voter, ask where your party truly stands.
- Woman dreaming of leadership know this, you don’t stand alone.
Partner with CRAWN Trust
Join the Women’s Steering Committee
Let’s build political parties that work—for all of us.
Explore www.crawntrust.org to learn more and join the movement.
From Aspiration to Action: How WEE Collectives Are Transforming Women’s Livelihoods in Kenya
In the early morning haze of rural Siaya, a woman ties her headscarf, stirs a pot of porridge, and sees her children off to school. But today, instead of heading alone to the roadside market, she joins 20 other women in the community hall. Together, they plan how to deliver crates of fresh vegetables to a supermarket chain.
A year ago, she earned barely enough to get by. Today, she’s part of a women’s collective, a WEE Collective, that has doubled her income, connected her to new markets, and given her a voice in local leadership.
Such stories cement women as the backbone of rural and urban economies across Kenya. They grow the food, run the markets, manage small businesses, and keep households afloat. Yet for decades, their economic potential has been limited, not by lack of skill or ambition, but by systems that make it harder for them to access credit, markets, and decision-making tables.
Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Collectives are changing this reality. They are not charity groups. They are not temporary projects. They are living, breathing networks of women pooling their knowledge, resources, and energy to build enterprises that last.
Through the CRAWN Trust leadership, these collectives have grown from isolated initiatives into a model with national relevance, one that donors and partners can scale into a powerful driver of Kenya’s inclusive growth.
The reports show that since inception, over Kshs.15.3 million has been mobilized through savings, investment, and group contributions , a sign of the model’s sustainability.
What are Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Collectives?
At their core, WEE Collectives are women-led groups committed to a shared economic purpose. The model is simple but powerful. When women work together, they create bargaining power, reduce risks, and open doors that are often closed to individuals.
From the reports, these collectives have taken many forms:
- Dairy cooperatives pooling milk for sale to processors
- Artisan groups crafting beadwork and textiles for local and export markets
- Agricultural teams supplying schools, supermarkets, and hospitals
- Digital hubs equipping women with online sales and e-payment skills
Pooling resources means no one stands alone in negotiation or production. A single woman might find it impossible to secure a large buyer. Twenty women, organized and ready, become a serious market player.
“Pooling resources has given us access to markets we could never reach alone.” WEE Collectives End of Project Report, 2023
It’s a principle that makes economic sense and human sense: together, women can take steps that would be too costly, risky, or exhausting to take alone.
Why are WEE Collectives Critical for Kenya’s Development Agenda?
Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) recognizes that grassroots-led growth is essential. But growth will remain uneven if half the population is left behind. WEE Collectives directly answer this gap.
They tackle three persistent barriers in one model:
- Land access, Group registration allows women to lease or co-own productive land.
- Credit access, Collective savings and microloans bypass restrictive bank requirements.
- Market access, Aggregated production meets the scale and consistency that larger buyers demand.
The impact is already visible. From the reports:
- 2,038 women trained in entrepreneurship, market systems, and leadership.
- Incomes in some collectives doubled within a year.
- Women are increasingly represented in local development committees and leadership roles.
For donors, this is more than a social programme. It’s a policy-aligned, evidence-backed approach to achieving SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), with benefits that ripple through entire communities.
Measurable Achievements to Date
The numbers tell one story. The lived experience tells another.
From the project’s monitoring data:
- 2,038 women trained in business management, value addition, and climate-smart agriculture.
- 50+ enterprises transitioned from micro to formally registered businesses.
- Over KSh.15.3 million mobilized through savings, reinvestment, and group income-generating activities.
- Dairy collectives reduced milk spoilage by up to 30% through better storage.
- Beekeeping collectives reported a 20% rise in honey yields after adopting improved hives introduced through project training.
- Vegetable farming groups increased sales revenues by an average of KSh.6,000 per member per month through new market linkages with local hotels and institutions.
But behind these figures are networks of trust, innovation, and resilience. A collective that once struggled to sell small batches now confidently supplies large contracts. Members who once feared digital tools now run e-commerce accounts.
The reports note growing confidence among women to speak in public forums and negotiate with county officials , a change that goes far beyond the balance sheet.
The Barriers that Remain for WEE
No transformation is without its hurdles.
Financing Gaps Affecting WEE
Collateral demands from banks remain a stubborn barrier. While savings groups provide a lifeline, the scale of capital needed for expansion, buying machinery, accessing export certification, requires larger, more affordable financing streams.
For instance, the average cost of a pasteurizer for dairy collectives is KShs.350,000–500,000, way beyond most groups’ pooled savings.
Gender Norms
Even in high-performing collectives, some women face resistance from within their own households or communities. Leadership is often still seen as a male domain. Yet each visible success begins to shift perceptions, slowly normalizing women as decision-makers.
Climate & Infrastructure
With agriculture central to many collectives, unpredictable climate change poses a real threat. Some groups are already adapting, diversifying into poultry, beekeeping, and value-added products, but scaling these adaptations demands investment.
Post-harvest losses from inadequate storage still account for 10–20% of output in some groups, according to the reports. For partners: these are not intractable problems. They are openings, clear points where targeted support can dramatically accelerate the gains already in motion.
Scaling and Sustaining the Model
The WEE Collectives model also sits within a wider movement of research and advocacy. CRAWN Trust has worked alongside the African Women Studies Center – Women’s Economic Empowerment Hub (WEE Hub) at the University of Nairobi, the Center for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW), and the Institute for Social Accountability (TISA), among others.
Through platforms such as the Women’s Economic Forum, these partnerships have brought together evidence from four and a half years of research, on-the-ground implementation, and policy engagement. This has made it possible to showcase what works, identify bottlenecks, and push for reforms that make women’s economic participation not just possible, but sustainable.
The next stage for WEE Collectives is not about starting from scratch. It’s about strengthening and expanding what already works.
Scaling priorities identified in the reports include:
- Policy advocacy to improve women’s access to finance, markets, and land rights.
- Capacity deepening to equip leaders with advanced governance, financial, and marketing skills.
- Private sector linkages that bring women’s products into high-value supply chains, from national retailers to export markets.
The vision is tangible because imagine every county in Kenya hosting dozens of thriving WEE Collectives, each generating income, creating jobs, and influencing policy. Based on current performance, the model could reach 100,000+ women entrepreneurs if replicated in just 50 collectives per county, each averaging 40 active members.
The ripple effects, healthier households, stronger markets, more inclusive governance, would be felt nationwide.
Why Should Donors and Partners Invest?
For donors and strategic partners, WEE Collectives offer a unique blend of impact and return:
- Social impact, measurable poverty reduction, improved food security, and greater gender parity.
- Economic return, stronger supply chains, new market entrants, and increased tax bases.
- Policy alignment, contribution to national priorities and global development goals.
This is not a pilot project needing proof. It’s a tested model with documented outcomes, a clear scaling pathway, and a strong implementing partner in CRAWN Trust. Investing here means backing a system that is already delivering and ready to multiply its impact.
Donor ROI Snapshot: Why WEE Collectives Deliver
Investment in WEE Collectives through CRAWN Trust creates measurable, scalable impact.
- Reach: 2,038 women trained; 50+ enterprises formalized
- Financial Growth: KShs.15M+ mobilized in savings & reinvestment
- Economic Return: 40–100% income growth in some collectives
- Scalability: Potential to impact 100,000+ women across all 47 counties
- Policy Alignment: Direct contribution to SDGs 1, 5, 8, 10 & Kenya’s BETA agenda
Your partnership turns proven results into nationwide transformation
How Can Partners Engage?
Engagement can take many forms:
Investment Opportunities
- Expand financial products tailored to women-led enterprises.
- Fund infrastructure like storage, processing, and transport.
- Support branding and market development for women’s products.
Technical Partnerships
- Offer mentorship and advanced training in governance, finance, and digital commerce.
- Open doors to regional and international market networks.
Advocacy & Policy
- Work with CRAWN Trust to shape legislation that removes barriers to women’s economic participation.
Every partnership accelerates the pace of change, turning steady progress into transformational leaps.
Partner With CRAWNTrust to for Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE)
The WEE Collectives model is proven, scalable, and aligned with Kenya’s economic future. The next step is bold: expanding reach from thousands of women to tens of thousands, across all counties.
This vision is within reach , but only if those with resources, influence, and networks step forward.
Contact crawntrust.org to get the full reports, see the detailed impact, and discover how your partnership could multiply these results. Because when women have the tools and opportunities to lead economically, everyone benefits from households, communities, and the nation as a whole.
Empowering Resilience: SSY Farmers in Kwale Lead the Way
In the heart of Kwale County, the Sikiliza Sauti Yetu (SSY) project is sowing the seeds of climate resilience through a powerful grassroots approach. Women and youth, organized into mini farmer groups, are at the center of this transformative work. From sharing farming inputs to supporting group registration, the SSY team is committed to walking alongside these communities as they build sustainable livelihoods.
A key milestone is the establishment of a functional demonstration farm, which will serve as a training and innovation hub. Progress among the groups is being closely tracked, ensuring that lessons are learned and success is shared. Each group has also selected two representatives to join a newly forming farmer cooperative, giving them a voice in shaping larger-scale farming initiatives.
While the journey has seen its fair share of challenges—such as water shortages and crop destruction by monkeys in Lunga Lunga—the determination of these farmers remains unwavering. They’re thriving with high-value crops like moringa and hibiscus, and many are reaping the benefits of selling organic vegetables such as mchicha, mrenda, terere, and cassava.
Seaweed farming, a vital part of the blue economy and especially important to women, has suffered due to climate change. Yet, the community remains undeterred. With an eye on sustainability, the farmers are adopting practices that not only feed their families but also preserve the environment.
The SSY project in Kwale is more than farming—it’s about empowerment, climate action, and building a future where no voice is left behind.
How Women, Youth And PWDs are Shaping Future of Climate Change in Kenya
When you think about climate change in Kenya heroes, your mind probably often drifts to scientists, politicians, or international summits. But what if the most transformative solutions were taking root in a Nairobi backyard or a reclaimed coastal mangrove?
What if climate leadership looked like a mother in Kibera, digging her hands into once-toxic soil?
That’s exactly what the Green Champions for Change project revealed and it is changing how we understand power, resilience, and what real climate action looks like in Kenya.
Why Climate Change in Kenya Justice Must Be Ground-Up
Kenya faces a complex climate future according to its second Kenya’s Second Nationally Determined Contribution (2031-2035)NDC from 1st January 2031 to 31st December 2035. The climate report indicates the country has warmed by 1.0°C since 1960, with projections estimating a rise up to 2.5°C by 2050.
Rising sea levels, frequent droughts, and erratic rainfall now disrupt livelihoods across nearly 80% of Kenya’s landmass, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Agriculture, a sector that employs most Kenyans, is rain fed and therefore highly vulnerable.
The reality is most responses remain top-down schemes. Despite efforts like the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) and Kenya’s participation in global frameworks like the Paris Agreement, implementation often excludes the voices of those most affected: women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The Green Champions for Change (GCC), led by Community Advocacy and Awareness Trust (CRAWN Trust) with support from Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA) and the Voices for Climate Action (VCA) programme, seeks to address this imbalance. Rather than viewing marginalized groups as vulnerable beneficiaries, GCC positions them as leaders with insights, innovations, and lived experience.
Climate Change Is More than About the Planet: Its People
Climate change in Kenya is about more than rising seas and melting glaciers. In Kenya, it is about families walking farther for water, youth watching their farms wither, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) unable to escape flash floods or attend community forums because infrastructure isn’t accessible.
The GCC model recognizes this. It centers lived experiences by elevating local voices through training, advocacy, and grassroots projects across Nairobi, Siaya, Lamu, and Homabay.
The question it asks is bold: What if those most affected were the ones leading the response?
Real People. Bold Solutions.
Here are just a few examples of how Green Champions are changing the landscape, socially, economically, and environmentally:
In Kibera, a dumpsite becomes a thriving farm
Young parents in Nairobi’s Kibera turned a trash heap into an urban oasis using permaculture and recycled materials. Kale, spinach, amaranth, and tomatoes now grow in the same space that once harbored waste.
“This is our therapy,” said Mary, a mother and GCC participant. “Digging the soil, watching things grow; it helps us reset.”
The garden feeds local families and employs youth. It also teaches children about food security, climate resilience, and circular economy practices like composting.
Here is a video from ASSOCIATED PRESS (AP) taken in Nairobi, Kenya – 19 June 2023 showing how these communities in Kibera are doing urban farming.
In Dagoretti, disability does not mean exclusion
Aiang and Teresa, both women with disabilities, began growing food in small raised gardens supported by GCC. They did not stop at feeding themselves. They advocated for and achieved better representation in Nairobi County’s climate policy review processes.
“Even if you’re challenged, you can still do something different,” Teresa said.
Their advocacy influenced revisions in the Nairobi Disability Act and encouraged budget allocations for inclusive farming programs.
In Kamukunji, youth reclaimed public space
What was once a dark, unsafe park in Kamukunji now serves as a community hub. A coalition of 25 youth groups, trained in budget tracking and advocacy, successfully petitioned for lighting, clean-up crews, and safer access.
Kevin, a youth coordinator, shared: “We learned that knowing the budget cycle is more powerful than complaining.”
From Community Action to Policy Influence
The GCC movement did more than just clean spaces or plant gardens. It rewired how systems include, or ignore marginalized voices.
Policy Outcomes:
- Nairobi and Homabay counties increased climate budget allocations to women and PWDs by 15% and 20% respectively.
- GCC-trained champions submitted five official policy recommendations across the counties.
- Representatives from GCC were invited to join the national Gender and Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Subcommittee.
Economic Outcomes:
- Participants in Kibera and Dagoretti reported income increases of 30-40% through vegetable sales and composting.
- Urban farms began forming supply partnerships with schools and local businesses.
Social Impact:
- 112 grassroots leaders trained (74 women, 28 youth, 10 PWDs).
- 22 climate literacy workshops held, reaching over 1,100 people.
- 4 counties formally included community reps in environmental planning forums.
The Ripple Effect of Climate Change in Kenya: Why This Model Works
The biggest shift was mindset.
- Women became leaders, not just caretakers.
- Youth moved from informal to formal civic participation.
- PWDs became advocates shaping laws.
And perhaps most powerfully: the belief that those often labeled “vulnerable” are not weak, they are vital.
The Green Champions model proves that investing in dignity yields sustainable results. It doesn’t require billion shilling programs, just commitment, community ownership, and inclusive design.
Let Us Build Bigger, But Stay Grounded
CRAWN Trust is working to replicate and adapt this model in more counties, starting with West Pokot, Nyandarua, and Kakamega. Plans include developing a toolkit, expanding peer-to-peer exchanges, and supporting gender-disaggregated data in climate planning.
But scale must preserve what makes this model powerful: deep community roots, shared decision-making, and respect for lived experience.
“We are not growing a program. We are growing a movement,” said Daisy Amdany, Executive Director, CRAWN Trust.
Join the Movement, Join CRAWNTrust
If you’re a donor, policymaker, advocate, or ally who believes that climate justice must be inclusive, here is how to support:
- Fund what works — Support grassroots models with proven policy and social impact.
- Center affected communities — Inclusion must go beyond consultation.
- Partner with purpose — Empower groups already doing the work.
Climate change in Kenya resilience is not built in boardrooms. It is grown in gardens. It is spoken in community halls. It’s shaped by those whose hands, voices, and visions have too long been ignored.
The Green Champions are not just Kenya’s future. They are Kenya’s now.
Partner with us to explore how we can grow together and make the planet safe for everyone including you and I.
Championing Gender Justice: Intersectional Feminism in Climate Action
Climate change is the defining challenge of our time, impacting communities worldwide. However, these impacts are not felt equally, with marginalised groups—particularly women—bearing the brunt of its adverse effects. To address these disparities, the “Championing Gender Justice: Intersectional Feminism in Climate Action” webinar brought together thought leaders, advocates, and community members to discuss strategies for fostering equitable climate action that centres on gender justice.
This pivotal conversation highlighted the need for an intersectional approach to climate action, recognising that women, especially in marginalised communities, face unique challenges exacerbated by socio-economic and cultural barriers.
Why Intersectional Feminism in Climate Action Matters
Intersectional feminism is a framework that examines how various forms of discrimination—such as gender, race, and socio-economic status—intersect to create unique experiences of inequality. Applying this lens to climate action ensures that no one is left behind in the pursuit of sustainable solutions.
Women are often on the frontlines of climate change, serving as caregivers, farmers, and community leaders, yet their voices are frequently excluded from decision-making spaces. This webinar aimed to change that narrative by exploring how gender-just policies and practices can benefit all, especially those most vulnerable to climate impacts.
Expert Insights
The event featured two esteemed speakers:
- Irene Asuwa, a renowned social scientist with extensive experience in community engagement and policy advocacy. Irene shared research-backed insights into how women in rural and marginalised areas are disproportionately affected by climate change and offered practical solutions to empower these communities through education, resources, and leadership opportunities.
- Marceline Nyambala, a Media and Gender Specialist, brought her expertise to the discussion, focusing on the role of media in amplifying women’s voices in climate advocacy. She underscored the importance of storytelling in shaping public discourse and influencing policy changes to create gender-responsive climate strategies.
Key Takeaways
- Inclusive Leadership: Women must be included in decision-making processes at all levels, from grassroots initiatives to international policy-making. Their lived experiences provide valuable insights for creating effective, sustainable solutions.
- Capacity Building: Investing in education and training for women equips them to advocate for their communities and implement climate-resilient practices.
- The Power of Media: Leveraging media platforms to highlight women’s stories can drive awareness and policy change, ensuring that gender justice remains a priority in climate action.
- Intersectional Policies: Policymakers must adopt intersectional frameworks that address the overlapping vulnerabilities faced by women, particularly in rural and marginalised settings.
The Path Forward
This webinar underscored the importance of collective action in addressing climate change through a gender justice lens. By empowering women leaders and advocates, we can create a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
As the world grapples with the urgency of the climate crisis, ensuring that women’s voices are at the forefront of climate action is not just a moral imperative—it is a strategic necessity.
Let’s continue to champion gender-responsive, intersectional approaches to climate justice. Together, we can build a world where no one is left behind.
Stay Connected
For more insights and upcoming events, follow us on [social media handles] or visit our website [insert link]. Let’s keep the conversation going and amplify the call for gender justice in climate action.
Breaking Barriers: CRAWN Trust Launches Gender Audit Report on Women in Politics
CRAWN Trust has unveiled its groundbreaking Gender Audit Report on Women’s Representation and Participation in Legislative, Oversight Bodies, and Political Parties, offering an incisive look into the realities faced by women in Kenya’s political sphere. This vital assessment draws from a gender analysis framework to evaluate the levels of women’s involvement in national and county leadership roles—including Parliament, county assemblies, executive positions, and political party structures.
The report paints a sobering picture of entrenched gender inequalities fueled by societal norms, cultural beliefs, and institutional barriers that limit women’s political participation. Central to its findings are challenges related to gender roles, unpaid care work, and social expectations that hinder women’s ability to fully engage in political life. Gender-based violence, both online and offline, also looms as a major deterrent for many aspiring female leaders.
One powerful testimony from a young female aspirant in Kisumu County sums it up poignantly: “Young female politicians like me are usually rigged out when you start off without the support and mentorship of the political big wigs… you must be nominated by the dominant party, if not you automatically lose.” Her experience echoes the broader struggles faced by women across the country who are excluded from vital political networks and denied the mentorship crucial to building a political career.
The report further highlights deep urban-rural divides. Women in rural areas grapple with layered challenges such as early marriage, female genital mutilation, and limited access to education. These factors not only contribute to long-term disempowerment but also restrict their ability to vie for political office due to lack of resources and confidence.
Importantly, the audit emphasizes that access to income is a key enabler for women seeking political leadership. However, it is not enough on its own. Building women’s political capacity also requires fostering self-expression, supporting community organizing, and expanding platforms for public engagement.
CRAWN Trust urges a multi-faceted approach to dismantling these barriers: sustained advocacy, increased economic empowerment for women, deliberate and inclusive political strategies, and greater involvement of men as allies. The report aims to spark action and guide policy reforms that will lead Kenya toward a more just, inclusive, and representative democracy—where women’s voices are not just heard, but hold power.
Empowering Women for Climate Justice: The Feminist Transformational Climate Justice Learning Space
In a world grappling with the climate crisis, it is vital to integrate perspectives that are often marginalized in decision-making processes. The Feminist Transformational Climate Justice Learning Space, a capacity-strengthening workshop hosted by the AMwA Kenya partners, is taking bold steps to address this gap by equipping the VCA Alliance and its partners with intersectional feminist approaches to climate justice.
This dynamic workshop is designed to enhance the capacity of the VCA Alliance and its Kenyan partners to engage in climate action with a focus on gender equality and social justice. The training aims to empower women to take charge as both participants and leaders in shaping sustainable, equitable climate solutions.
What is Feminist Transformational Climate Justice?
At the heart of the learning space is the understanding that climate justice cannot be achieved without addressing the systemic inequalities that disproportionately affect women, particularly those from marginalized communities. Feminist Transformational Climate Justice is an approach that seeks to confront the intersection of gender, race, class, and other forms of oppression, ensuring that solutions to the climate crisis are inclusive, just, and sustainable.
By incorporating feminist principles, this training enables participants to recognize and challenge power dynamics, bringing forward women’s voices and leadership in the climate movement. It also emphasizes the importance of creating spaces where marginalized communities can actively contribute to shaping the future they inhabit.
A Space for Empowerment and Leadership
The workshop serves as a critical platform for women to build the knowledge and skills needed to lead climate justice initiatives. By using an intersectional lens, participants will be able to analyze how different systems of oppression intersect with the climate crisis, fostering a deeper understanding of how to implement solutions that prioritize equity and justice.
Through this initiative, the VCA Alliance and its partners will be equipped not just to participate in the global climate conversation, but to drive the transformative changes needed in their communities. These women are not just the future leaders of climate justice—they are leading today, demanding solutions that leave no one behind.
A Collaborative Effort for a Just Climate Transition
This capacity-building workshop is a testament to the power of collaboration. By joining forces, the VCA Alliance, AMwA Kenya, and other stakeholders are taking significant steps toward a just climate transition. It is a call to action, emphasizing the need for gender-responsive solutions that not only address the environmental impacts of climate change but also the social and economic inequities that exacerbate vulnerability.
The workshop highlights the inseparable connection between feminism and climate justice. In order to secure a truly just and sustainable climate future, we must ensure that feminist principles—equality, inclusion, and justice—are woven into the very fabric of the solutions we create.
Conclusion
As the Feminist Transformational Climate Justice Learning Space workshop unfolds, it promises to leave a lasting impact on those who take part in it. It is a powerful reminder that the fight for climate justice is inherently tied to the fight for gender justice, and only by addressing both can we create a truly just and sustainable world for all.
We look forward to seeing the transformative leadership that will emerge from this space as women continue to take charge of climate action, building a more equitable future for all.
Empowering Communities Through Inclusive Climate Action: Highlights from the Validation Meeting Under the SSY Project
The Sikiliza Sauti Yetu Dunia Yaita (SSY) project achieved a significant milestone by hosting a Validation Meeting to present the draft findings of its participatory research on community perceptions of climate change. This pivotal gathering brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from community-based organizations (CBOs), private sector actors, government officials, and persons with disabilities. The meeting aimed to ensure that the research findings were accurate, inclusive, and reflective of the voices from the ground.
Community Voices at the Core of Climate Action
The draft report presented at the meeting highlighted the lived experiences and perspectives of local communities grappling with the impacts of climate change. By prioritizing participatory research methods, the SSY project underscored its commitment to amplifying community voices and recognizing their crucial role in shaping effective climate solutions. The findings provided a comprehensive understanding of how climate change is affecting local environments and livelihoods, from shifts in agricultural productivity to water scarcity and ecosystem changes.
Collaborative Insights for Sustainable Solutions
The Validation Meeting fostered meaningful dialogue among the stakeholders. Attendees offered valuable insights, feedback, and recommendations to refine the draft report and enhance its relevance. This collaborative approach ensured that the research not only reflected the realities on the ground but also integrated the expertise and perspectives of various sectors.
Government representatives shared policy-related perspectives, while private sector stakeholders explored opportunities for partnership and investment in climate resilience. Persons with disabilities and CBOs brought critical insights into the unique vulnerabilities faced by marginalized groups, advocating for tailored interventions that leave no one behind.
Towards Inclusive and Sustainable Climate Action
The SSY project’s participatory research and validation process exemplify the power of collective action in addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change. By integrating diverse voices, the project is laying the foundation for community-led solutions that are both sustainable and inclusive.
Key takeaways from the meeting include:
– The importance of localized solutions that align with community needs and capacities.
– The need for targeted support for vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, women, and youth.
– Opportunities for multi-sector collaboration to enhance resource mobilization and implementation.
Looking Ahead
As we move forward, the SSY project remains dedicated to translating these findings into actionable strategies that empower communities to build resilience and adapt to a changing climate. The feedback from the Validation Meeting will play a vital role in finalizing the research report and informing subsequent phases of the project.
Together, we are building a path towards a healthier planet and empowered communities—one that values inclusivity, sustainability, and shared responsibility.
Grassroots Initiatives: The Foundation of Economic Empowerment
Economic empowerment begins at the grassroots level, where the day-to-day realities of women and girls highlight the pervasive nature of systemic inequality. At CRAWN Trust, we have found that community-driven solutions not only address immediate economic challenges but also lay the groundwork for sustainable change.
Local Solutions to Global Challenges
The challenges women face, such as limited access to resources, inequitable workloads, and cultural barriers, demand localized interventions. Initiatives like our kitchen gardens in Kibra, Kamukunji, and South C showcase how leveraging available resources can transform lives. These gardens improve household food security while providing women with a source of income. By utilizing available land and adopting innovative practices, women in these communities have become food-secure and financially stable.
Similarly, our training programs on modern beekeeping have enabled women’s groups to tap into new revenue streams, fostering economic independence. For example, participants in Embu have adopted modern hives, significantly boosting honey production and sales. Such initiatives also create ripple effects by inspiring neighboring communities to adopt similar practices, thus driving broader economic transformation.
Building Networks for Collective Action
Grassroots initiatives thrive on collaboration and collective action. By connecting women’s groups to broader networks, resources, and markets, we empower them to amplify their voices and advocate for their rights. Our mentorship programs ensure that women leaders are equipped with the tools and confidence to navigate economic and social barriers. These efforts extend beyond individual gains, promoting systemic change and transforming entire communities into hubs of resilience and empowerment.
Through these localized yet impactful solutions, CRAWN Trust demonstrates that grassroots approaches are foundational to achieving lasting economic justice for women and girls.
The Intersection of Culture and Economic Justice
Cultural norms play a pivotal role in shaping economic opportunities for women. At CRAWN Trust, we understand that addressing systemic economic injustice requires shifting mindsets and breaking down traditional barriers that limit women’s potential.
Challenging Gender Roles
Unpaid care work disproportionately falls on women, limiting their participation in education, employment, and entrepreneurship. Through community dialogues and awareness campaigns, we challenge societal expectations and advocate for shared responsibilities within households. Engaging men and boys in these discussions is critical. Our workshops highlight the economic benefits of redistributing care work, fostering a culture of shared responsibility.
Celebrating Women’s Contributions
Recognizing the economic value of women’s contributions—whether paid or unpaid—is essential for cultural transformation. By documenting and amplifying the stories of women who have overcome systemic barriers, we challenge stereotypes and inspire others. For instance, our storytelling projects celebrate women entrepreneurs who have succeeded in male-dominated sectors, proving that economic empowerment is achievable despite cultural constraints.
Fostering Inclusive Communities
Economic justice cannot exist in isolation from social justice. CRAWN Trust’s programs aim to build inclusive communities where women’s contributions are recognized and valued. Through school-based programs, we engage young people in discussions on gender equity, ensuring that the next generation adopts more inclusive attitudes toward economic participation.
By addressing cultural barriers and fostering a culture of inclusion, CRAWN Trust paves the way for sustainable economic justice, ensuring that women and girls can thrive in an equitable society.
Where is the justice in Climate Justice? My Reflections from COP 28 By Cindy Kobei, CRAWN Trust
COP 28 Blog, December 14
Where is the justice in Climate Justice? My Reflections from COP 28 By Cindy Kobei, CRAWN Trust
Four days ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights celebrated its 75th birthday. You’d think there’s every reason for a party.
But in Dubai where the UNFCCC COP 28 was being held it was not that simple. For years people have fought to have human rights integrated into international climate policy. Think of the right to clean air, the right to development, right to health and even the right to life.
All of this is increasingly under pressure, especially for people in climate-vulnerable areas.
Women and children are particularly hard hit by the climate crisis, especially indigenous peoples in developing countries. Just think of the increasing drought and floods in parts of Kenya and Africa. Women are usually the ones who provide water and fend for the entire household. If you have to walk not 5 but 20 kilometers a day, you won’t have time for anything else. And that’s just one simple example.
We work together with government, other NGOs within and beyond the women’s movements to draw more attention to the effects of the climate crisis on women. The UN has drawn up a Gender Action Plan to support this. But its implementation runs into the same barriers as other parts of international climate policy: unwillingness and money. CRAWN Trust is working with the State Department of Gender and Affirmative Action to ensure that Kenya domesticates the enhanced Lima Work Programme on Gender and its Gender Action Plan which was adopted in 2019 during the 25th UNFCCC COP. The action plan will guide gender responsive climate policies at the national and county level.
As long as it is not recognized that international climate policy must go hand in hand with achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the situation worldwide will deteriorate. Many rich countries profess that they are working on this, but in practice they are mainly concerned with business-as-usual: economic growth in their own country. Perhaps slightly greener growth than thirty years ago – for which the necessary raw materials are happily sourced from the same poor(er) countries like our country, Kenya.
A delegate from Kenya sounded a warning in Dubai: it won’t be long before widespread unrest breaks out. Food shortages and climate migration are already commonplace in Kenya and elsewhere. Moreover, Kenya’s President William Ruto recently remarked that, due to rising interest rates, Africa will have to pay $62 billion debt repayments this year, which is 35% more than in 2022. “If you don’t solve the debt issue, you can’t solve the climate issue,” he said. But the big question is ‘Why is there too much talk but not much action?’ For 28 years world leaders have been convening to ‘discuss’ how to tackle the climate crisis and yet there is not much to show for it other than more debt especially in most African countries.
Apparently there are still two realities: the Western one, which uses the climate summits mainly as a good opportunity to do business-as-usual, even if that’s a bit greener than before; and the daily reality of most of the world’s population. They fight for their survival in a world that cares less and less about them. A bridge will have to be built quickly, otherwise the consequences will be incalculable. Let’s not forget that the climate COPs were originally intended for that…
Let’s turn back to what actually happened in Dubai the past two weeks. The ministers continued to make speeches, just like yesterday. And there have been countless rounds of consultations, mostly behind closed doors and till very late. That makes it difficult for observers to keep track of the state of affairs.
Unfortunately, that’s what happens when you break everything down instead of keeping an eye on the big picture. Or, in the words of a judge from Uganda who is part of our team:
“These climate summits are similar to what happened during slavery. If you let people work till they drop, they forget everything they ever knew and get used to being slaves. These technical negotiations are of no use; we need actual climate justice. And it is not even
national interests that block that, but the interests of a small group of extremely wealthy people who manipulate the entire world to their will.”
I have nothing to add to that but to keep advancing climate justice with conviction, boldness and foresight acknowledging that what happens in COP reflects the complexities in our world!
World Health Day 2024: Empowering Women and Girls with "My Health, My Right."
Every year on April 7th, the world comes together to celebrate World Health Day. This day is an opportunity to raise awareness about global health issues and advocate for the right to health for everyone, regardless of their age, gender, or background. In 2024, the theme for World Health Day is “My Health, My Right,” highlighting the importance of empowering individuals to take charge of their health and advocating for their right to access quality healthcare services.
One of the key focuses of World Health Day 2024 is on women and girls, recognizing the unique challenges they face in accessing healthcare and the critical role they play in promoting health within their families and communities. Here are some key aspects to consider in relation to women and girls’ health empowerment:
Access to Healthcare Services
Access to healthcare is a fundamental right, yet many women and girls around the world still face barriers in accessing essential health services. These barriers can include financial constraints, lack of awareness about available services, cultural beliefs, and geographic remoteness. On World Health Day, it’s crucial to advocate for policies and programs that ensure equitable access to healthcare for women and girls, including maternal and reproductive health services, vaccinations, mental health support, and preventive care.
Gender-Based Violence and Health
Gender-based violence is a significant public health issue that affects the physical and mental well-being of women and girls. It can lead to long-term health consequences, including injuries, trauma, and chronic health conditions. World Health Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the link between gender-based violence and health and to advocate for comprehensive support services for survivors, including medical care, counseling, legal assistance, and community support networks.
Empowering Women as Health Advocates
Women and girls are not just recipients of healthcare but also powerful agents of change in promoting health within their communities. Empowering women as health advocates involves providing them with education, resources, and opportunities to take on leadership roles in healthcare decision-making processes. It also means recognizing and addressing the social determinants of health, such as poverty, discrimination, and unequal access to education and employment, that impact women and girls’ health outcomes.
Investing in Women’s Health Research
Research plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of women and girls’ health needs and developing effective interventions and policies. On World Health Day, it’s important to highlight the need for increased investment in gender-sensitive health research that addresses the unique biological, social, and environmental factors that influence women and girls’ health across the lifespan. This includes research on women’s reproductive health, mental health, chronic diseases, and the impact of social and economic factors on health outcomes.
Collaborative Action for Health Equity
Achieving health equity for women and girls requires collaborative action involving governments, healthcare providers, civil society organizations, academia, and communities. World Health Day serves as a platform for mobilizing stakeholders to work together towards achieving universal health coverage, promoting gender-responsive healthcare services, and addressing the underlying determinants of health inequalities.
In conclusion, World Health Day 2024 with the theme “My Health, My Right” is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to empowering women and girls to lead healthy lives and advocating for their right to access quality healthcare services. By addressing barriers to healthcare access, addressing gender-based violence, empowering women as health advocates, investing in research, and fostering collaborative action, we can create a healthier and more equitable world for all.
HIGH COURT IN NAIROBI SETS DATE FOR HEARING OF CASE ON ELECTION CAMPAIGN FINANCING
The High Court in Nairobi has set February 7 as the hearing date
of a battle to reinstate regulations on campaign financing.
Justice Anthony Mrima directed that Parliament and Attorney General Kihara Kariuki file their replies to the case filed by Katiba Institute and Africa Centre for Open Governance (AfriCOG) in readiness for the full hearing. “The Motion and the application will be heard together,” directed Justice Mrima.
This comes as another lobby – CRAWN Trust – sought to join the
case, arguing that women would not have an equal footing with men during the
August election if Parliament’s stand on campaign financing is not reversed.
WOMEN ECONOMIC FORUM
By Liberty Kituu,
The Inaugural Women Economic Forum 2021, themed Reshaping the Kenyan Economy through harnessing women’s potential was coordinated in Nairobi Kenya, virtually hosted to facilitate attendance from across the World, on the 24th – 25th February 2021. The Forum was hosted by, Community Advocacy and Awareness (CRAWN) Trust, the permanent secretariat to the National Women’s Steering Committee – NWSC, a coalition platform that brings together individuals and organizations working for women’s political, social and economic emancipation.
KENYANS MUST DEMAND BETTER IF THE 2022 GENERAL ELECTIONS ARE TO BE FREE, FAIR AND CREDIBLE
On Friday, January 21, 2022, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officially gazetted Tuesday, August 9, 2022 as the date of the third General Election under the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. In releasing the elections calendar, the IEBC sought to assure Kenyans that the up-coming General Election would be free, fair and credible as required by the Constitution.
KENYAN WOMEN’S RIGHTS ORGANISATIONS SUBMIT A PETITION FOR CONSIDERATION TO EAST AFRICAN LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ON THE TWO THIRDS GENDER PRINCIPLE
By Liberty Kituu
As the clock counts down to the August 2022 general elections in Kenya, the two thirds gender principle remains in abeyance. In a bid to secure the political rights of women and having faced frustration from the leadership here at home, Kenyan women rights organisations led by Community Advocacy and Awareness (CRAWN) Trust….