UPCOMING EVENTS...

Day of the African Child 2012: 'The Rights of Children with Disabilities: The Duty to Protect, Respect, Promote and Fulfill'

Day of the African Child 2012: 'The Rights of Children with Disabilities: The Duty to Protect, Respect, Promote and Fulfill'

The Day of the African Child marks the anniversary of the Soweto Uprising in 1976. On June 16, 1976, thousands of black South African students joined in a protest against the education policies of the apartheid regime. Police responded with force, killing at least two hundred children. Since 1991, June 16 has been an occasion to honour the courage of the children who participated in the protests, and to advocate for further action to address the physical and educational needs of children in Africa.

This year's theme is: "The Rights of Children with Disabilities": 'the duty to protect, respect, promote and fulfil.'

Gender Based Violence Project

CREAW in partnership with Pathfinder International under Aphia Plus Nairobi-Coast are implementing an initial one year GBV project. The project’s main aim is to raise levels of awareness among organized community groups, increased access to justice and other GBV support services by survivors. It is anticipated that project activities will lead to increased reporting of GBV cases. CREAW’s project goal in the APHIA plus Nairobi-Coast project is to contribute to the reduction of instances of GBV in Kibera, Kamukunji, Makadara and Dagoretti districts through community sensitization and provision of legal aid as well as increased respect for women and girls as equal human beings as men and boys. This project empowers women, children and the community at large with skills and capacity to advocate for fulfillment of their rights.

Activities to mark the Day

CREAW will celebrate the day of the African Child on 15th June, 2012 at Dagoretti, one of the project’s target district. Dagoretti District is an electoral constituency in Nairobi Kenya covering the Western region of Nairobi. The district has an area of 39 km² and a population of 240, 081 persons. Dagoretti embodies the contrasts of socio-economic inequities between the rich and the poor. It is the location of one of Kenya’s larger slums – Kawangware amongst other smaller informal settlements. Dagoretti has been reported to have high rates of alcohol and substance abuse, sex work and domestic violence. This is an area where women and childrens’ rights have been abused, neglected and parpetrators walk free in the streets without anything being done to them.

The sub-activities to be done during this event will include; essay writing competion by children from 10 selected schools  with the best essays being selected for award of a gift. Besides the children, local drama groups will participate to showcase drama and  skits on the theme in relation to GBV. Music groups and children will also present songs on the theme of the Day. The activities will also be attended by parents, teachers, children with disabilities as well as other children, stakeholders on children issues, other members from the community and government officials.

The aim of this event will be to raise awareness to the community on GBV and children’s rights and with a special focus on the children with disabilities. The celebrations will ensure that children with disabilties participate actively during the event as a way of promoting the culture of inclusion and torelance to diversity. The event will be graced by officers from Children’s departments and the District Education Office.

CREAW  welcomes you to join us in the above district to mark the Day, thus, help in realizing the rights of all children to family life, family protection and education.

This year's theme is: From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let's Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women.

On 25th November 2011 - The National Gender & Equality Commission, including CREAW and the GBV Working Group, will be spear heading the National official launch of the 16 Days of Activism at City Park grounds, Park Lands.

On 28th November 2011 -  The Kibera 16 Days of Activism launch  will be spearheaded by the GBV Working Group with support from CREAW through USAID/Kenya, Aphia Plus Nairobi, PSI, Women Empowerment Link, District Commissioner, District Social Development Officer and all other line ministries. The forum is targeting 1500 participants from Kibera and the venue will be Kibera DO's Grounds. The main objective is to sensitize the participants on GBV. The event will start with a procession aided by a caravan and a community band that will be coordinated by PSI.

PAST EVENTS...

Celebrating the Life of Professor Wangari Maathai

28 November 2011
Uhuru Park, 8:00am - 1:00pm

Theme: Greening politics through Wangari’s vision: it is time for women to unify Kenya
Even though she was accorded a State Burial, the women of Kenya felt that they did not have chance to celebrate the life of Prof Wangari who to them was the symbol of relentlessness, courage, and achievement against all odds. It is against this background that the women of Kenya, led by the KEWOPA, and in partnership with women’s organizations, key government ministries, the Nairobi City Council, UNEP, UN Women and UNDP held a half-day commemoration ceremony at Uhuru Park on 29th November 2011.

Key guests included UNEP, UN Women and UNDP representatives and KEWOPA members, including Martha Karua. Various civil society organizations and community groups participated: GROOTS Kenya, Maendeleo ya Wanawake, Women Political Alliance Kenya, Caucus on Women Leadership, two women selected from each of the 47 counties in Kenya and all members of the Green Belt Movement.

***

CREAW and USAID Launch Phase Two of Kibera Gender-Based Violence Outreach Project
Thursday 10th November 2011
9:00am - 12:30pm

Kibera DO's Grounds

With the support of USAID/Kenya, CREAW now is in the process of ushering in the next three-year phase of the project that will address major implementation gaps identified in the first phase of this project. These gaps include inadequate male involvement in GBV mitigation, weak linkages among partners working on GBV and lack of a properly coordinated management system for GBV services. The second phase of this project will also strengthen our current GBV work by re-energizing our efforts in Kibera and expanding our outreach services to better prevent and respond to GBV. We also aim to re-engage key stakeholders including implementation partners and community members. This is an important milestone for CREAW as we seek to bring real empowerment and services at the community level.To celebrate this new and exciting phase, CREAW, in partnership with USAID, will be officially launching the second phase of the Kibera GBV Project on 10th November, 2011.

***

COMMUNITY MEDIA CONFERENCE

CREAW in partnership with Africa Community Development Media (ACDM) has organized a one- and- a -half day Conference for community media managers and key coordinators on the constitution.

The media, and in particular the community media, have a great impact on the various communities they serve, and are able to reach multitudes within the remaining time frame of 30 days.  If community media are tapped into, the masses will be aware of the content and process of the constitution to avert its being hijacked by the political elite.

With the launch of the draft constitution by the Committee of Experts (COE), it is so critical that the community media engage in a meaningful and participatory process, to ensure that democratization is realized in the constitution making process, and that the citizens' agenda is placed before the public domain, thus securing the draft at all times up to, and including the referendum.

The conference is taking place on 30th November - Tuesday 1st December at Lenana Mount Hotel, Nairobi.

***

Validation Workshop: A RESEARCH REPORT ON THE LEVEL OF COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND (CDF)

The Constituency Development Fund Act was passed into law in the year 2003. In principle, the Act compels the Minister for Finance to allocate not less than 2.5% of all collected ordinary government revenue, every financial year, for development programmes in the constituencies. The rationale behind the legislation is to combat poverty and promote equitable growth and development. This end is meant to be met by the Constituencies Development Fund (CDF), into which not less than 2.5% of all Government ordinary revenue collected in every financial year, is channeled for disbursement to the various constituencies. In certain financial sessions, the Fund amounted to as much as 3.5% of ordinary Government revenue. A motion seeking to increase this allocation to 7.5% of Government's revenue was recently passed by Parliament. To this date, over 40 billion shillings have been allocated to the Fund.

CREAW in partnership with Christian-Aid, set out to conduct a baseline survey in the following constituencies: Nakuru, Subukia, Naivasha, Tigania West, Tigania East, and Nithi to assess the beneficiaries' perceptions of the CDF and the Committee assessment of the CDF financed services with regard to ascertaining access to, utilization and satisfaction of the community with an emphasis on women in relation to the fund.

The workshop will be held at Panafric Hotel on Monday 23rd November, 2009 from 8:30a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

***

CREAW has carried out an evaluation of Policies systems and structures at Ministry of Education that deal with sexual abuse in schools to highlight gaps therein.

We have also carried out a study of teacher training curricula in Kenya. This was carried out in order to understand and interrogate the extent to which the curriculum course prepares teacher trainees to understand gender issues such as sexuality, which can help manage teacher- student dynamics and reduce instances of teacher-student sexual abuse.

With this in mind, CREAW will be holding a full day validation workshop at PanAfric Hotel on Friday 13th November 2009 from 8.00 am to 4.00pm with the Civil Society to identify immediate and practical steps that will strengthen Policies and practices within Ministry Of Education and Teacher Training Curricula, to reduce instances of teacher student sexual violence in Kenya.

Sixteen Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence- 2009

This Year, CREAW will continue to join hands with others to speak out, stand out, and commit to preventing violence against women during the 16 days of activism against GBV which are held from the 25th of November to the 10th of December.

CREAW is partnering with other members of the civil society to hold Gender Film Festivals at various communities such as the Kibera slum nd Korogocho.

***

A full-day validation workshop at the PanAfric Hotel Nairobi, Monday 2^nd November 2009. 8.00 am to 4.00pm

CREAW and the Teacher Service Commission( TSC) have carried out a study on policies, systems and structures at the TSC with a view to unearth procedural, policy and operational challenges that can be addressed to strengthen TSC as an institution in dealing with teacher- student sexual violence.

At the forum, CREAW presented findings to the board and Commissioners of the TSC, and identified immediate and practical steps that TSC can employ to address gaps highlighted and explore areas of synergy and greater partnership with the Civil Society.

***

BASELINE SURVEY

CREAW is undertaking a project on strengthening the capacity of marginalized community members for good governance and promotion of transparency and accountability on decentralized funds. This is aimed at promoting community members to access information and opportunities available in the decentralized fund, Local Authority transfer fund (LATF). We are conducting several activities to this effect such as a baseline survey and community radio shows.

In October 2009, a team of 5 research assistants and a lead researcher carried out a baseline survey (towards implementing key project activities). The survey sought to establish the various levels of awareness and engagement of women on the decentralized funds (constituency development fund / CDF and Local authority transfer fund/ LTF among other funds, in Nakuru, Naivasha, Subukia and Meru;Tigania east, Tigania west and Nithi. It was carried out for a period of 8 days which run between the 30th September 2009 - 3rd October 2009 and 7th October 2009 - 10th October 2009 respectively. The survey was completed successfully as a majority of the respondents were reached and filled the survey questionnaire on their knowledge and or engagement with the decentralized funds.

LAUNCH OF CREAW'S KIBERA SGBV OUTREACH OFFICE

CREAW has been implementing community awareness programs in Kibera with a focus to end Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).

The outreach program enables women residents of Kibera to have direct access to full legal aid, counseling and other support services to avert domestic and other Gender based violence. In addition to these direct legal and support services, CREAW has trained 5 community paralegals who are continuously equipping other community members with skills to end SGBV. For us, this is a large milestone as it seeks to bring real empowerment and services at the community level. The success of this pilot program will see its replication in other constituencies in the country.

Launch of CREAW 2008-2012 Strategic Plan, and Reports

CREAW successfully launched its Strategic Plan in addition to a three reports on Post Election Conflict, Constitution Making and Wife Inheritance, on 3rd October 2008 at its new offices. His Excellency Nicholas Martin Cinto - Spanish Ambassador to Kenya graced the event. Several other dignitaries were present. The launched publications include:

1. Expanding Frontiers for Women's rights in Kenya: CREAW Strategic Plan 2008-2012

The Plan highlights adjustments required to implement activities that are aligned to CREAW's mission that is geared to transform society by empowering women and expanding new frontiers for women's rights and freedoms.

2. Women Paid the price: Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Post-Election Conflict in Kenya
The report captures the situation of women and children during and after the Post-election Violence with a focus on violations of women's human rights with regard to Sexual and Gender Based Violence experienced by internally displaced persons in Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret, Naivasha and Burnt Forest.

3. Constitution Making- Power Dynamics, Intrigues and Struggles: Kenyan Women Reflect
This documents women's voices following the National Constitutional- Making Conference at Bomas. It voices women's experiences during this Process. Most importantly, the report ensures that the women's issues remain alive during this critical moment in Kenya, wherein we await a new Constitution.

4. Wife inheritance: A death sentence behind the mask of culture
Wife inheritance has for a long time been a socially acceptable cushioning mechanism and a means of re-integration for widows. This study is designed to assess the situation of wife inheritance in a multi-cultural setting among the residents of Mathare, Kiambio and Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums of Nairobi and to explore how it relates to women's rights and HIV/Aids. It calls for a rights-based approach to accord women their due respect and freedom of choice.

One Million Signature Campaign

The one Million signature campaign to push for affirmative action was officially launched on 25th May, 2007 - Nairobi on African Women's Day organized by CREAW at Railway Club Grounds, Nairobi.

It was incumbent on each of the over 10,000 that were present to ensure that they sign the petitions which were distributed at the venue of the meeting to enable the same be used a lobbying tool for enactment of legislation on affirmative action.

Sixteen Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence

Yearly, CREAW under the GBV Network continues to join hands with others to speak out, stand out, and commit to preventing violence against women during the 16 days of activism against GBV which are held from the 25th of November to the 10th of December.

The 2007 theme 'Demanding Implementation, Challenging Obstacles: End Violence against Women' was met with great vigor by various organizations that work to uphold women human rights.

The launch of the campaign was held on the 25th of November at Nairobi Serena Hotel with various victims of GBV sharing their experiences and successes with regard to the same.

CREAW marked out the 16days through community forums in Nairobi's Eastland area. Related Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials including ribbons, budges posters, stickers, postcards, press release and info-packs were distributed and awareness of the theme discussed at the grassroots and highlighted through the media in Kenya. Further CREAW offered Legal aid and counseling services to victims in these meetings. Persons seeking information on Gender-based violence prevalence and prevention were also attended to. CREAW also actively participated in various planning meetings in deliberation of how best to approach the campaign and also took part in various fora held by network partners in Kenya, in support of the cause- COVAW, FIDA KENYA and The CRADLE - Children's Foundation, among others.

International Women’s Day Celebrations

This year, CREAW together with Events Factory hosted the Second Shangilia Festival on Saturday 8^th of March at the Carnivore Restaurant's Simba Salon-Nairobi in global celebration under the theme "Ending the violence and shaping the way forward for women". IWD is indeed an occasion when women on all continents come together to celebrate their Day, as they look back to a tradition that represents decades of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development. Objectives of the event;

I. To mark IWD, through the medium of music by Kenyan artistes and theatre to speak out against the pandemic of sexual gender-based violence facing women the world over and more specifically in Kenya in light of the post election violence.

II. To highlight the plight of women during the post election violence as well as initiatives of individuals who are making a difference in addressing post election violence issues affecting women and children.

III. To celebrate the recent agreements reached between the opposition and government captured in the National Accord and Reconciliation Bill which are a critical steps towards restoring peace for Kenyans in general and women and children in particular.

Undoubtedly, the event envisioned inspiring women by celebration of achievements and creation of awareness on their attendant challenges in order to cajole the society to reflect on the place of women and their rights in our society. Indisputably, 2 a.m. was not too late as the crowd which remained very elated in dance and song, in anticipation of the subsequent festival.

Inaugural Shangilia Festival

CREAW in 2007 celebrated the International Women’s Day celebration on its eve- 7th March- in partnership with the American Embassy, Event Factory, Homeboys production and Homeworks at Club Afrique on Museum Hill, Nairobi from 6p.m.

The Shangilia Festival themed “Lets Sing and Dance until the Violence Ends” centered on musical performances addressing violence against women in an effort to project the arty dimensions of the ‘voice of Africa’.

The event offered an opportunity which aspired to reflect Kenyan top artists’ diversity through their music in a campaign to empower and celebrate the African woman and in support of Ending Impunity for Violence against the Women of Africa. The Media were also engaged in creating mass responsiveness towards ending violence against women in Kenya.

The concert ended at 1a.m. leaving the crowd was still very elated as they danced the violence away with vigour and in style.

View the Gallery

Participation in Women’s Rights Conferences

CREAW has increased visibility in the realm of women’s rights advocacy by participating in a number of national and local conferences. CREAW, among other conferences, has consistently participated in UN’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York City. As a result CREAW has increased participation of women's access to media, information communication technologies (ICT) and their impact on and use of media as an instrument for advancement and empowerment of women.

Kofi Annan

Our Executive Director was nominated amongst a panel of human rights Activists from around the world to make comments on the retirement speech of UN Secretary General’s Mr. Kofi Annan on the International Human Rights day   held at the Lincoln Centre on the 8th December, 2006. Click below for the full text of the speech. Our Rights July - December 2005 Mainstreaming Gender in the Millennium Development Goals: African Perspectives

Launch of the Sexuality and Bride price Reports

On the 11th of August 2006, CREAW launched two publications, one of which addressed sexuality, while the other sought the relationship between bride price and gender based violence. Click to read publications:
Bride Price, is it the Modern day slavery
Exploring sexuality, a journey towards exploring Sexual rights.