Empowering
Deaf Women & Girls
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ABOUT US
We work with communities of Deaf adolescent girls and young women, Deaf Youth, and Parents of Deaf children.
Federation of Deaf Women Empowerment Network (FEDWEN KENYA) is a feminist organization registered as a Civil Society Organisation based in Kenya. We work with communities of Deaf adolescent girls and young women, Deaf Youth, and Parents of Deaf children.
Since FEDWEN was founded, we have prioritized building a strong grassroots presence that aims at providing and advocating for Deaf centered, Deaf inclusive platforms that allow for room to represent, articulate, advocate, and lobby for recognition and implementation of the rights of Deaf communities in Kenya.
We have a special interest in health, gender, human rights, and social justice for the Deaf community.
Gender-Based Violence
No matter what you you have.
Inclusive Governance
No matter what you you have.
Social & Economic Empowerment
No matter what you you have.
Sexual & Reproductive Health Rights and Services
No matter what you you have.
- As in the words of Audre Lorde
- I AM NOT FREE WHILE ANY WOMAN IS UNFREE, EVEN WHEN HER SHACKLES ARE VERY DIFFERENT FROM MY OWN.
- THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A SINGLE-ISSUE STRUGGLE BECAUSE WE DO NOT LIVE SINGLE-ISSUE LIVES
To excel in the provision and facilitation of coordinated quality services and activities geared towards the realization of equal rights and opportunities for Deaf women and girls through empowerment and advocacy.
OUR VISION
An inclusive society where Deaf persons enjoy equal rights and opportunities.
OUR MANDATE
To advocate for the rights, recognition, and inclusion of Deaf women and girls in Kenya
WHAT WE DO
Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights and Services.
In the thematic area of sexual reproductive health and rights, we are especially interested in promoting inclusive strategies and practices to boost health-seeking behavior and ultimately better sexual reproductive health outcomes among Deaf women and girls.
Deaf adolescents are severely at risk of falling victim to the triple threat i.e. Gender Based Violence, Early unintended pregnancies, and risk infection of with HIV/AIDs. A crisis looms with a rampantly high rate of Deaf adolescent girls dropping out of school to transition into motherhood. The likelihood of not pursuing their education after childbirth is also very high.
The Deaf woman suffers a lack of information, disempowering her in making choices that support her life. Autonomy in decision-making regarding their reproductive health is severely lacking. Spouses, caregivers, and health care professionals often infringe on the rights of Deaf women on their reproductive health. They are often denied the choice of contraception and are victims of unauthorized surgical procedures, forced sterilization, and other medical abuse without consent.
FEDWEN focuses on SRHR for Deaf women and girls by advocating for inclusive platforms for sharing information on matters concerning our reproductive health, and the rights of Deaf women and girls in sexual reproductive health which include but are not limited to inclusive; contraception, menstrual health management, sex education and health care services.
Existing information gaps within the Deaf community have resulted in the incapacity to make informed choices on matters regarding their sexual and reproductive health which then affects their health and doubles on the rate of poverty. We prioritize raising awareness within the Deaf community, increasing Deaf centered information, education, and communication resources to promote good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, and most importantly reducing inequalities.
To excel in the provision and facilitation of coordinated quality services and activities geared towards the realization of equal rights and opportunities for Deaf women and girls through empowerment and advocacy.
Gender-Based Violence
Deaf women and girls often have multiple struggles that increase their vulnerability. Their experiences are intersectional and cut across more than one social issue. Research shows that women with disabilities are 3 times more likely than non-disabled women to face violence, with Deaf women and women with intellectual disabilities standing at 5 times more likely. This is mainly propagated by communication barriers that often limit access of the Deaf person to systems that are designed to prevent and mitigate issues of gender-based violence against women.
Access to justice, though crucial for survivors of violence, is extremely inaccessible for the Deaf community. Deaf victims often have no information such as referral pathways, procedures, and other protocols set in place that support access to justice. They may also find it difficult and discouraging to report, due to lack of an accessible language at the station. They risk being re-traumatized as their stories are often not believed, and are dismissed in favor of stories told by hearing counterparts.
On the other extremity, Deaf men and women have also been falsely accused of violence, falsely represented in courts of law by unqualified sign language interpreters, and have been denied justice due to communication barriers. FEDWEN has had cases of false accusation and false witness against Deaf people who were convicted without being heard as there lacked efficient and effective access and inclusion measures or there had been no one to bridge the communication gap.
FEDWEN is intolerant to abuse in all forms, we have been working to mitigate the risks of all forms of violence against Deaf women and girls.
Social and Economic Empowerment
80% of people with disabilities are unemployed. The motivation by the public and private sector to onboard Deaf and hard-of-hearing persons into their human resources is very low due to the perceived “burden” of disability.
Most Deaf people are casual workers or self-employed. They also have limited access to economic resources such as financial education and information, loans, and credits, financial institutions such as SACCOs, and banks whose policies and systems are often unfavorable and inaccessible to Deaf people. This increases the likelihood of Deaf people becoming poor or remaining in the cycle of poverty.
The socioeconomic status of an individual severely affects their likelihood to thrive or fail in all other aspects of their lives. We incorporate skill strengthening for Deaf women and youth through income-generating activities to support their livelihoods and that of their families and to strengthen their capacity to be self-employed or seek employment. We also offer financial education to encourage good financial practices.
Inclusive Governance
FEDWEN focuses on promoting inclusive policies and structures for mainstreaming in institutions and for persons with disabilities in the community. This is achieved through creating awareness about the Deaf community, Deaf culture, Kenyan sign language, and alternative communication strategies to support allies to join the Disability justice movement as well as to promote inclusive practices.
We also empower the Deaf community on their rights using different global, regional, and national frameworks that support the plight of accessibility and inclusion. We emphasize on their roles and responsibilities as citizens as declared in the constitution and the importance of being involved in decision-making efforts to be represented. For example, involvement during public participation and social accountability efforts, taking on political leadership roles to ensure that inclusion works and access is a reality for persons with disabilities to reap the fruits and benefits accorded to us in the Kenyan constitution.
OUR PARTNERS
