Nairobi, 14/08/2024 – Today, the signing ceremony for the initiative "Women's Empowerment and Support for the Environment and Health in Kenya", funded by Italian Cooperation and realized by the Civil Society Organizations IPSIA and We World–GVC, took place. The event was attended by the Ambassador of Italy to Kenya, Roberto Natali, the Head of the Regional Office of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in Nairobi, Giovanni Grandi, representatives from the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action, and representatives from Narok and Laikipia Counties.
The initiative aims to contribute to the elimination of all forms of gender-based violence and discrimination by improving access to economic and natural resources in Arid and Semi-Arid areas. These regions, often inhabited by communities engaged in agro-pastoral activities, are characterized by high rates of gender-based violence, particularly within communities where patriarchal social structures are deeply rooted and harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation persist.
Two interventions have been launched today: the first is realized by We World–GVC in Narok County and will focus on the prevention and response to gender-based violence (GBV) and harmful traditional practices; the second, implemented by IPSIA in Laikipia County, aims to strengthen the role of women in land management, access to agricultural markets, and land tenure.
On the topic of gender-based violence and inequality between men and women, Ambassador Natali emphasized that this initiative, which will reach a total of about 25,000 people, over 50% of whom are women and girls, represents an additional evidence of the alignment between Italy's and Kenya's priorities towards women's empowerment and an example of Italy's efforts to combat inequality.
Participants at the launch event
From left to right: Ambassador Roberto Natali, PS Anne Wang'ombe, and AICS Nairobi Head Giovanni Grandi