NOW me! Nurturing Opportunities for Women: empowerment for young women in vulnerable conditions in Kenya Nurturing Opportunities for Women: percorsi di empowerment per giovani donne vulnerabili in Kenya
Background
Female unemployment, particularly in informal urban settlements, is a priority area of intervention identified by the Italy–Kenya Development Plan 2023–2027; the situation among young women in the counties of Nairobi and North Kajiado highlights an urgent need for targeted interventions. The female unemployment rate recorded by the latest national census (2019) is 22.73% in Nairobi and 17.49% in Kajiado. In addition, 34.61% of women in Nairobi and 25.57% in Kajiado are NEETs, meaning they are not engaged in education, employment, or training, which underscores the need for effective training and labour market reintegration programmes. Although unemployment at the national level decreased in 2022, youth unemployment remains high, and the gender income inequality index continues to grow (currently at 39.8%).
Goals
General Objective
To contribute to the reduction of inequalities and to the promotion of sustainable economic growth in Kenya by improving access to decent work opportunities for women and girls—mothers and non-mothers—in conditions of severe vulnerability, in line with Targets 8.5 and 8.6 of SDG 8.
Specific Objectives
To support women and girls in conditions of severe vulnerability in accessing employment and self-employment opportunities in the areas of Nairobi and North Kajiado.
People involved
- 30 women (15–35 years old) currently living on the street, with or without children.
- 270 women (18–64 years old) living in a vulnerable socioeconomic situation, borderline socio-economic poverty and at risk of ending up on the street, with or without children.
- 6,350 members of local communities engaged through outreach activities and awareness-raising initiatives, including students and schools
- 35 institutional representatives with responsibilities in the areas of gender equality, social protection, vocational training, and employment
- 6 training institutes and 20 staff members located in the target areas of Nairobi and North Kajiado
- 20 companies and 40 staff members involved
- Staff of 3 community radio stations and local podcast agencies.
AIDOS activities
- Contribute to the definition and implementation of training pathways on the Gender Transformative Approach together with project partner
- Support the development and dissemination of communication campaign content with a focus on gender equality
- Collaborate with AMANI and local partners on capacity building on the Gender Transformative Approach for the training institutes involved
- Participate in the planning and structuring of the job orientation and employment support desk for the project beneficiaries.
Expected Results
- Institutions, communities, families, and project participants collaborate to address the barriers that limit the full social and economic empowerment of the beneficiaries.
- Women participating in the project have equitable access to inclusive, labour market-oriented training pathways, including modules on digital communication skills.
- Women participants are supported in the transition from training to income generation through employment opportunities and entrepreneurship pathways.
Who is financing
The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) covers € 1,920,432.79, equal to 95% of the total cost. Contribution by the Lead Applicant, its Partners and/or other funders: € 101,075.41, equal to 5% of the total cost.