Completed Programs
Completed Program
BRIDGING THE MYSTERY GAP OF DEAF GIRLS' SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH USING A HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED APPROACH.
We implemented this program in Laikipia County, Murang'a County, and Nyandarua County. We mainly targeted Deaf learners (Adolescents, aged 10 - 19), Deaf youth (20- 35), Health care practitioners, Education officers, and Law enforcement. The program was Supported By UNDP/ Amkeni Wakenya.
Access to Sexual Reproductive Health services is a basic right for all women and girls in Kenya. Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health is a concept that is often overlooked. Policies formulated to drive this agenda are barely implemented.
Through this project, we seek to promote the accessibility of sexual and reproductive health services by involving key stakeholders. We work closely with these stakeholders to ensure that interventions made speak to the needs of the Deaf community.
Raising awareness is among our key responsibilities, we meet educational officers, health care practitioners, and law enforcement officers to address the needs of Deaf girls and women in areas concerning sexual and reproductive health and also train them on best practices when handling Deaf women and girls.
Interactive discussions with Deaf learners in schools give us a platform to not only create a safe space where they can express themselves but also offer guidance and direction in matters involving sexual and reproductive health.
Completed Program
VOICE OF THE VOICELESS.
The program was implemented in Kisumu, Siaya, Bungoma, and Vihiga counties. We mainly targeted Deaf youth, women and girls, Health care providers, and Police officers; and it was supported by Mannion Daniels.
Gender-based violence is among the leading forms of human rights violation existing in the world today. At least 1 in 3 women have fallen victim to one form of abuse or the other. However, women with disabilities are 3 times more likely to face violence as compared to other women in society, and women with certain forms of disability such as the Deaf, mentally challenged and the Blind are 5 times at higher risk than the nondisabled women. Deaf women and girls being at higher risk of gendered violence have a harder time accessing justice due to linguistic and communication barriers.
This project aims to enhance access to justice and management of sexual violence against Deaf girls and women in Kenya. Creating awareness and educating the Deaf community to be able to recognize and prevent different forms of violence including intimate partner violence, how to respond in case they fall victim, and processes of access to justice. Awareness and capacity strengthening on human rights and becoming self-advocates is a priority in this project.
We target the community to raise awareness in efforts to reduce the prevalence of gendered violence against Deaf women and girls. Healthcare workers and police officers are the first respondents in cases of abuse and are crucial to the care and path to access to justice for these survivors. Sensitization and empowerment of these respondents are therefore taken with high regard.nWe report and go to court in pursuit of justice for the 3 survivors of violence. Of the 3 cases, 1 accesses justice with the conviction of the perpetrator.nn
Completed Program
ENHANCING CIVIC PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES IN DEVOLVED GOVERNANCE IN KENYA
The program was implemented in Embu County, targeted Women with Disabilities, and supported by Uraia, Voice Kenya. In this project, we aim to educate Persons with Disabilities on the constitution, devolved governance, and their responsibilities and roles as citizens. Through civic education using information in accessible formats, that are friendly to their needs, so that they are familiar with their rights.
We mobilize and hold trainings to empower Persons with Disabilities to cultivate a culture of social accountability and civic responsibility. The same is reflected in the way the people demand accountability from their Government. Public participation has since improved to make sure they are part of the decision-making process, and their needs are represented.
Completed Program
ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION FOR YOUNG DEAF SINGLE MOTHERS
The program was implemented in Nyeri County, mainly targeting Deaf single mothers, and Policymakers, supported by EDAN 80% of the responsibility of caring for children in a household usually falls on the mother. In cases of single parenting, all the responsibilities fall on the mother. In Kenya, 47% of women are single mothers by the age of 20, and 25% by the age of 18. Between the ages of 15 and 19, 18% are pregnant or are already mothers of their first child. 6 out of every 10 women are likely to be single mothers. With rates of single parenthood being on the rise, the economic strain on single mothers soon follows.
Deaf people generally have fewer chances of getting employment as compared to other Persons with Disability and even less when compared with the non-disabled population. Most Deaf are working in the informal sector either as casual laborers or in self-employment. The education system for tertiary learning to acquire skills for white-collar jobs is not inclusive of the Deaf population, the training offered is often in vocational schools to provide skills for manual labor. Most Deaf people are therefore living in poverty and struggling even further to get employment. Access to services also costs more for the Deaf community, as simple things like visiting a doctor or attending a meeting require the services of a paid sign language interpreter.
Deaf single mothers in Kenya are struggling. FEDWEN has taken up skills empowerment as one of our key areas to help these Deaf women earn a livelihood for themselves and their families. We coordinate and link Deaf people to services and resources that support the socioeconomic empowerment journey. We train in different skills, link entrepreneurs and Deaf business persons to organizations and institutions offering financial aid and tools of trade to grow their businesses.
