Jasiri Program
Target Impact
The Jasiri program aims to empower girls in marginalized parts of the country and those at risk of gender-based violence to recover and get into thriving economic activities (sustainable businesses and work opportunities) that help them escape these injustices.
Jasiri is a Swahili word for ‘bold’.
The issue of gender-based violence (GBV) is a major concern in Kenya, with an estimated one in 3 women having experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime (UN Women Report 2019). Acts of GBV can be barriers to women’s economic empowerment. The physical and psychological impacts of GBV can make it difficult for women to participate equally in productive roles. The lack and/or inadequate support structures and systems also prevent survivors from fully recovering to a life of dignity.
Status: Active
Country
Kenya
Period
2023 – 2027
Industries
Access to Finance
Education & Skills
Gender
Impact to Date
The program is still in the inception stages.
Partnership Focus
The program recognizes and addresses the barriers young women who are survivors of gender-based violence through:
Funding (loans), at friendly terms, to start businesses and livelihood activities. Women, young people, and people with disabilities who are survivors of gender-based violence are, therefore, able to start afresh by economically empowering themselves.
Training opportunities to enable them access work opportunities.
Engaging financial service providers and the State Department of Gender to build transformative and inclusive financial services that cater to the full range of needs of young women and GBV survivors.
Supporting and collaborating with community skilling partners (Shelters, master craftsmen) and Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to provide skilling opportunities (life skills, entrepreneurship) to GBV survivors and most at risk girls and young women.
Enhancing the capacity and resilience of shelters and other GBV service providers to provide timely, safe, and confidential services to support the short- and long-term healing and empowerment of GBV survivors.
Engaging national and county governments on relevant policies, engaging communities and community leaders and gatekeepers (including men, boys, and cultural and religious leaders) in shifting perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs that perpetuate GBV, as well as on young women unpaid care and domestic work.
The program is open to adolescent girls and young women aged between 16 – 35 years who are at risk of GBV and survivors of GBV, including refugees and those with disability. The focus will be on rural and urban informal settlements in major towns in 16 counties in Kenya.
The included counties are: Kajiado, Kakamega, Kiambu, Kilifi, Tana River, Nairobi, Mombasa, Kwale, Mandera, Busia, Garissa, Samburu, Baringo, Makueni, Narok, Isiolo and Nyeri.
In Partnership With
The Centre for Rights, Education and Awareness (CREAW) is a registered, feminist non-profit women’s rights organization founded in 1998 with a vision of a just society where women and girls enjoy full rights and live in dignity while its mission is to champion, expand and actualize women and girls’ rights and social justice. CREAW’s projects are implemented in 21 out of Kenya’s 47 counties, and it also carries out interventions at the national level. CREAW’s areas of focus are (1) Ending all forms of violence against women and girls, (2) Supporting Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE), (3) Promoting effective participation of women and girls in leadership, (4) Ensuring universal access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR).
For more information, visit: Centre for Rights Education and Awareness
GROOTS Kenya
GROOTS Kenya is a national movement of grassroots, women-led, community-based organizations, and self-help groups in Kenya. It was founded in 1995, after the fourth UN Conference on Women in Beijing, China, and its aim is to address the lack of visibility of grassroots women in development processes and decision-making forums that affect them and their communities.
For more information, visit: GROOTS Kenya – Building a Movement of Grassroots Women and Girls
Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development (CCGD)
Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development is a Non-Governmental Organization that does policy advocacy for gender equality. The organization was founded in 1996 by a small group of academics, researchers, and development experts to build capacity in gender-responsive planning, advocacy, and programming. The organization has grown into staunch and dependable policy research and advocacy resource centre with programs present at the county.
For more information, visit: The Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development (CCGD) – A society that guarantees equality, social justice, and respect for the rights of women, men, girls, and boys. (ccgdcentre.org)
Advocates for Social Change Kenya (ADSOCK)
ADSOCK is a coalition of member organizations working in Kenya to recognize, prevent, protect and respond to all forms sexual violence. We strive to promote rights, recovery and dignity of survivors and other people impacted by sexual violence.
For more information, visit: Advocates for Social Change Kenya (ADSOCK) – Nurturing Positive Masculinity
Centre for Domestic Training and Development (CDTD)
CDTD is a National, non-Governmental women’s rights organization that works towards better human rights and employment outcomes for domestic workers.
For more information, visit: Centre for Domestic Training and Development(CDTD)