Girls and women in Kenya hold unlimited potential. The barriers that particularly constrain women and girls are multifaceted. Gender-based violence remains pervasive and women are still underrepresented in decision-making processes at all levels. Women and girls still spend long hours collecting water and firewood. Household chores limit school attendance and work options. They have less access to and control over the benefits from land tenure, education, and employment opportunities. Alongside our partners, USAID works to promote the participation of men, women, girls, boys and girls in every aspect of Kenya's development.
Our work addresses gender-based violence (GBV) by strengthening service referrals and building the capacity of service providers to provide GBV prevention and response services. USAID also works with civil society, local partners, and the Government of Kenya to promote laws and policies that advance gender equality and prevent GBV, such as supporting the judiciary to launch the country’s first Sexual and Gender-Based Violence court. Ahead of the August 2022 election, USAID supported training for election observers to report on threats to women’s political participation. USAID also supported election monitoring related to GBV; survivor access to redress and rehabilitation; and mechanisms to identify, document, and report GBV incidents.
USAID advances gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in Kenya by promoting entrepreneurship, employment, and increased income for women through agriculture, trade and finance activities, and private sector partnerships. USAID is working to increase access to training, finance, entrepreneurship, and formal employment for youth, with a focus on gender equity.
Gender 101 Training
This e-learning course includes an overview of the strategic objectives, guiding principles, and operational and programmatic requirements set forth in USAID’s 2023 Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy. By the end of the course, you will be able to speak to the critical role of gender equality and women’s empowerment in the success of USAID programming and ways you can advance these efforts in your own work.
Fact sheet: Gender equality in Kenya