FORUMS
Nairobi, Mombasa and Malindi Women Leaders Consultative Forum meeting were conducted, aimed at bringing the local leaders/stakeholders together to understand what Engage Jamii Initiatives is, programs implemented and the upcoming programs. This is because the EJI believes in communal unity and togetherness in achieving its intended program objectives.
Being a festive season, most of the government officials were involved in vetting exercise; however Madam Glory Kamungi, District Officer Pumwani, represented the government agency. She applauded the initiative and encouraged women to embrace opportunities coming their ways for their stability and growth. She also advised women to be very keen and responsible parents to minimize crime cases and the recruitment of youth in radical groups. She urged parents to work closely with security apparatus for peaceful nation.
The Chairlady gave a welcoming speech, thanking the participants for finding time out of their busy schedule to attend and again by obeying the weather which was cold and rainy. The participants were well represented since they consisted of leaders from different communities and areas thus the Kamukunji and Dagoretti Constituency was well represented. They introduced themselves on the community work they are engaged in with majority doing a lot on children rights.
The Director spoke about EJI and the previous program on economic empowerment that benefited over 60 women from Huruma/Kariobangi and Kawangware. She stated on the upcoming program activities that are geared towards promotion of economic development and creation of moderate voices among women and girls in Kenya. The Program will be implemented in 3 counties: Nairobi, Mombasa and Kilifi. In Nairobi, the program will have representatives from Kawangware and Pumwani therefore the program venue will be alternating for fair inclusivity and exposure to the targeted groups.
Salim Juma is Community Leader; he moderated the session and led the discussion by members contributing towards the upcoming EJI programs.
How to engage women and girls in the Promotion of Economic Development
- There was need to identify peoples passion, strength and weaknesses before granting them capital.
- Participants should be equipped with business skills.
- Background check is important to understand people’s interest and attitudes in the society.
- Training should be considerate of peoples’ interests in terms of training hours.
- Bring people together, challenge them to know each other, understand their capacity and if they are ready to work as a team (unity).
- Creativity should be emphasized to avoid copying of businesses from each other.
- Embracing technology is a must for growth of business.
- People should explore their potential in businesses before employing others.
- Business ideas should be localized for uniqueness and success.
- Business ideas should not be initiated; the community itself should come up with such ideas according to their interests.
- Culture of saving and investments should be encouraged for business growth and maximization of profit.
- Marketing and branding should be supported for sustainability.
- There should be follow ups on any business supported.
Factors that hinder women and girls in the Promotion of moderate voices in Kenya
- Absentee parents especially fathers who leave many responsibilities to mothers
- Address too busy mothers (Single mothers) who lack time for their children
- Cultural negativity (‘Uswahilism’)
- Lack of Mentors
- Peer pressure
- Poverty perception yet its laziness
- Some decisions make women incapacitated leading to psychological and economical violence
- Child labor especially on foreign children
- Losing hope
- Family pressure to youth to fend for them after class 8/form 4
- Misuse of religious concepts on Jihad and religious chapter
- Tame idleness among youth and women
- School drop outs be addressed and perpetrators punished
- Work on early marriages
- Address prostitution among young girls and boys
- Negligence by parents addressed
- Address violent /political extremism
- Tackle health issues i.e. HIV/Aids
Challenges faced in group-based businesses
- Loaning through friendship and failure to repaying loans
- Confrontations/fights due to failure in repayment of loans thus enemity
- Dependence of business for every expenditure thus from hand to mouth
- Book keeping challenges
- Lack of information of opportunities available for women
- Lack of business strategy
- Inherited business that does not grow
- Lack of exhibition opportunities
- Work on community perceptions on self employment
- Lack of capital to start business
Solutions in Promotion of moderate voices and economic empowerment
- Training on parenting be initiated; Parenting is a communal role therefore culprits should be brought on board
- Demystify the misused religious concepts for religious harmony and have interfaith dialogue among women of different faiths.
- Be open to dialogue with children, be a true Muslim and follow religious teachings and stop mixing Swahili culture with religious culture
- Support education of our children and report those denying children the opportunity to be in school
- Have mentorship programs at community level
- Unlearn societal negativity for the betterment of the community
- Embrace technology in business and address effects of technology in child upbringing especially through inappropriate use of phones by youth.
- Break the cycle of being in un-functional marriage due to suffering emotionally and psychologically.
- Open up market and exhibition opportunities for local businesses.
- Include boy child in the program to avoid problems associated with negligence by men in marriages
- Provide opportunities for girls through camping programs for mentorship
- Supervise our kids and monitor their behavior and movements.
