2018 Annual Report

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 2 YWCA PRINCIPLES AND VALUES ...... 3 2018 AT GLANCE ...... 4 OUR VISION IN 2018 ...... 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ...... 4

OUR PROGRAMMES ...... 5 PROGRAMMES IMPLEMENTED IN 2018 ...... 5

MOVEMENT BUILDING...... 11

PARTICIPATION IN CSW 2018 ...... 12

THE GIRL DECLARATION ...... 13

POSITIVE CHOICES TOWARDS THE ABANDONMENT OF FGM IN KURIA ...... 14

DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD 2018 ...... 16

YOUTH EMPLOYABILITY EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME (YEEP) BRANCH .. 17

SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS (SRHR) AND HIV/AIDS PROGRAMME YWCA TANA RIVER BRANCH ...... 18

YOUNG WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME YWCA TANA RIVER BRANCH ...... 19

SKILLFUL PARENTING PROGRAMME YWCA BRANCH ...... 21

SAFE SPACE AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT GROUP FOR DISCORDANT COUPLES YWCA SIAYA BRANCH ...... 21

GIRLS SAFE SPACE FORUMS YWCA SIAYA BRANCH ...... 22

NATIONAL COUNCIL 2018 ...... 23

FINANCIAL AUDITED ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR 2018 ...... 25

CONTACTS ...... 26 BRANCH CONTACTS: ...... 26

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Young Women’s Christian Association - YWCA is a voluntary membership-based organization that advocates for gender equality, diversity tolerance, mutual respect, integrity and accountability. It seeks to uplift the living conditions of the girls and women for the purpose of enabling them live fulfilled lives.

The YWCA was established in Kenya in 1912, making it the oldest women’s national body in Kenya. It is affiliated to the World Young Women’s Christian Association (World YWCA) movement which is a women’s rights global movement founded on Christian principles. The purpose of the World YWCA is to develop the leadership and collective power of women and girls around the world to achieve justice, peace, health, human dignity, freedom and sustainable environment for all people.

Over the years, YWCA Kenya has developed programmatic interventions with the singular objective of responding to the socio-economic, political and cultural issues affecting girls and women in Kenya.

The YWCA Kenya comprises of the National Headquarters based in ; and seven branches in , Tana River, Meru, Nairobi, Kisii, Kisumu and Siaya. The Branches are at community level and therefore conduct outreach activities to reach the organization’s different target audiences.

The YWCA recognizes the need to anchor all development programme and operations on a predetermined set of principles and values and implements programme guided by its Vision and Mission.

Our Vision “An inclusive society where girls and young women actualize their potential and live fulfilled lives”.

Our Mission “Based on its Christian faith, The Association, a non-profit

making and volunteer membership organization, exists to develop

and/or facilitate development of leadership and collective power of

women and young girls to achieve social and economic empowerment, human rights, health, security, dignity, freedom, justice, peace and a

sustainable environment for all in Kenya”.

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YWCA PRINCIPLES AND VALUES

1. Our operational environment is governed by a set of principles and core values which are rooted in our Christian faith and belief as follows:- 2. A history and foundation in the Christian faith; 3. Worldwide solidarity as a women’s volunteer membership movement; 4. Diversity, inclusiveness, tolerance and mutual respect; 5. Integrity and responsible accountability. 6. The self-determination of women and girls in all areas of life; 7. Leadership which improves the status of women, girls and children; 8. Young women’s leadership; and 9. The care for the environment.

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2018 AT GLANCE

2018 marked the beginning of a year of change, a journey towards the development of YWCA Kenya’s 2019/2023 new Strategic Plan: A journey of consultation, sharing thoughts and ideas on where we want to go and where we want be in the next 5 years. It was a year of refreshing the YWCA, a change in leadership bringing in different perspectives to expand the horizons of YWCA Kenya. 2018 was also a time of reflection on the policies that govern the organization, leading to a participatory and inclusive YWCA constitution review process. As we walk into 2019, we are equipped and ready to open the new chapters of the story of YWCA Kenya, writing pages about the next leg of our journey to become the YWCA We Want; A strong, sustainable, visible and relevant YWCA Kenya that has impact; A spook in the wheel of the World YWCA and the Africa movement, making change and creating a safer world for women and girls.

OUR VISION IN 2018

As we reflect on 2018, we call to mind the founding matriarchs of the YWCA Kenya and continue to pass on the baton of their vision for the movement, a world where women’s rights and contribution to society is recognized and respected. It is also the year the Kenyan movement celebrated 106 years of existence, a prime time to take the Association to the next level.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

YWCA Kenya acknowledges the Government of Kenya, our development partners, civil society, the private sector and implementing partners, who all play a key role in the community initiatives we implement. The partnerships and support received greatly contribute to the effective delivery of our programmatic interventions and the resultant impact as illustrated in this report. We also acknowledge the YWCA global movement, our National Board, our membership and staff, without whom we wouldn’t be able to advance the rights of women and girls as well as the communities we work with.

people

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OUR PROGRAMMES

Thematic Areas of Focus 1) Young Women’s Leadership Development 2) Education – Access and Retention 3) Health – SRHR and HIV/AIDS 4) Social and Economic Empowerment 5) Advocacy for Women and Girl’s Rights

PROGRAMMES IMPLEMENTED IN 2018

STATE OF THE AFRICAN WOMAN CAMPAIGN – SOAWC

During the year under review YWCA Kenya continued to conduct activities guided by the implementation plan and key deliverables. All the activities implemented were aligned with the SOAW project four main themes including articles in the Maputo protocol namely; • Article 2: Elimination of Discrimination Against Women • Article 5: Elimination of Harmful Practices: This refers to female genital mutilation and other traditional practices that are harmful to women including early child marriage • Article 14: Health and Reproductive Rights

Highlights of the activities included; 1. Planning for CSOs capacity building 2. Planning for the youth champions capacity building 3. Establishing communication channels and social media platforms for the youth champions 4. Follow up on partnership MOUs 5. Youth champions capacity building and orientation into the SOAW project 6. Participation of YWCAs and youth champions in key national, regional and international events 7. Participating in the developing of a communication plan in Berlin 8. Participation in consortium partners North to South exchange in Brussels

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YOUTH CHAMPIONS EVENTS

The 14 CSOs supported the youth champions to conduct events at both the national and county levels in their respective countries. After the trainings the Youth Champions made work plans aimed at sensitizing young people and women to be more informed on their rights. The highlights include; 1. In Lesotho, the Youth Champions made use of electronic media through interviews on the national television station to advocate on the SOAW project, highlighting some of the issues discussed during the Nairobi meeting. 2. In Ethiopia and Gambia, the Youth Champions actively used social media platforms by forming groups on telegram and Facebook to reach out to a wider audience of girls, women, men, opinion influencers as well as policy makers in their countries. 3. Social media is a very effective communication tool that all the Youth Champions are actively utilizing to share information and opportunities for advocacy. 4. The YWCA Kenya including one of the Kenyan Youth Champion’s from Kisii which is an area with a high prevalence rate of FGM 96.1%, participated in the first conference on ending FGM in Kenya organized by the Anti FGM Board. This was a great milestone in the fight against FGM showing the political goodwill to step up strategies and funding from the National Budget to end FGM. 5. Madagascar, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda have continued to use school platforms (Y-Teen clubs), safe space forums and national networks to challenge social norms on women’s roles, rights as well as generate conversations around issues on the project key themes, especially SRHR.

CSO’s Advocacy The CSOs had an opportunity to use different platforms to advocate on young girls and women’s rights. The YWCA Tanzania was also challenged to strategize on advocacy for a return to school policy for girls faced with the consequences of unplanned pregnancy, following the decree by the country’s president that these girls should not be allowed back to school. During the Anti FGM Conference held in Nairobi, February 2018, YWCA Kenya facilitated a session on youth involvement in ending FGM, providing an advocacy opportunity for the SOAW Project.

Support supervision During the year under review YWCA Kenya conducted supervision visits to two Member Associations; Uganda and Ethiopia, as well as in country in Tana River and Mombasa. These visits were vital in terms of capacity building in order to; 1. To provide technical support to CSO leadership and orient them on the project goals and deliverables 2. To provide support to the youth champions, encourage them to seek advocacy forums and opportunities to be agents of change and identify any emerging trends in the project. 3. To create linkages especially in Uganda, where the key outcome was inclusion of the MA in the government delegation on gender equality discussions, using the SRH network to articulate for policy changes on teenage pregnancy which stands at 25% for girls 15-19.

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4. In Kenya the momentum on fighting FGM has been challenged by a court case where by a female medical doctor is challenging the government indicating the Anti FGM law is infringing on the rights of women and women should be allowed to choose whether to undergo FGM or not. YWCA Kenya together with other key players is supporting the Anti FGM board efforts in challenging the case. The Youth Champions are also been supported to share and learn from other activists on ways of creating conversations on FGM through the various forums available in Kenya, which included the Anti FGM conference, YWCA Kenya social media platforms and networks meetings.

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FK SRHR EXCHANGE PROGRAMME – KISUMU

Summary of main activities THE FK participants implemented in 2018 Y Global and Amathea Norway were able to carry out the following activities in their one year stay in Kenya at the YWCA Kisumu Branch; 1. Mapping out partners (schools, organizations, communities) to work with and develop plans for each partner collaboration. 2. Conducting a series of SRHR outreaches. Creating interactive, fun and engaging sessions where students, community members and others have learnt new things related to SRHR. 3. Developing a manual for SRHR trainings by participants and also for those trained under the exchange to use for continued outreach as peer educators to different target audiences. 4. Developed and implemented an SRHR Training Program for Kodiaga Women’s Prison. 5. Donations of Water tank to Kodiaga Women’s Prison 6. Donation of sweaters for school uniforms and school supplies to Orongo Widows and Children’s Group (May 2018). 7. Participation in the FK Norway training in Uganda 8. Site visit to Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Central Uganda to meet with a Partner of Y- Global (YWCA of South Sudan) to conduct SRHR training for them. 9. Follow up to groups at Kodiaga Women’s Prison, Kajulu East Community Health Volunteers, Akili Girls School, Care for AIDS Group Ahero, Bethany Widows and Orphanage Group, Become A Girl Group and starting of new groups that included, YWCA Salsa Team, grooming and make up, Boda boda boys at Kajulu. 10. Represent YWCA in planning meetings for International Youth Day (10.08.18) and World Contraception Day (26.09.18) and create visibility of YWCA presence during the County Celebration of the events. 11. Represent YWCA on various occasions like Migosi Seventh Day Adventist Church Camp (24.08.18), Graduation of a group of young mothers from ICAPs Program Hope (30.08.18) and Bethany Group Pads Donation Function (31.08.18) and Reusable Pads Media Coverage (13.09.18). 12. Contribute to the planning and conducting of the YWCA Kisumu Branch Annual General Meeting (AGM) (19.09.18). 13. Collaboration with Andrea (at AAYMCA) on a half-day workshop at YWCA Kisumu with youth from Kisumu YMCA and YWCA. 14. Organising events and health days with other partners/ Service providers for SRHR services. 15. Training to Community Health Volunteers at Gita Dispensary in Kajulu. 16. Visit to YWCA group for SRHR training for young women. 17. Referral for SRHR services such as contraceptive services, STI screening and treatment. 18. Campaigns and sensitization on issues of SGBV. 19. Counselling sessions with the People living with HIV/AIDS.

Summary of main activities by returning FK participant 1. Debrief on exchange experience with office staff, young women champions and other youth groups

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2. Sessions with some group members the Norwegian participants engaged with as part of their outreach engagements, including the salsa group 3. School outreaches 4. Participation in Kisumu Branch programme activities and administrative work 5. 3 months engagement with the Branch for continued experience sharing and capacity building of the branch

Summary of knowledge, skills and competencies gained by FK participants during the exchange 1. Improved communication skills both verbal and non-verbal. 2. Increased confidence in public speaking 3. Improved computer and IT skills 4. Exposure to development team, leading to increased knowledge of interaction with varied partners, review of partner reports, proposal writing and documentation 5. Improved ability to facilitate sessions for different target audience 6. Cultural adaptation 7. Community mobilization and engagement skills 8. SRHR in the Kenyan context is shrouded with taboos and the approach used for outreach greatly determines target audience confidence 9. Safe space model for engaging young people and different target audiences 10. Development of comprehensive training guides/tools are important for cohesive and successful training for purposes of continuity beyond the exchange period 1. Training of Champions for continuity for sustainability beyond the exchange 2. Difficult conversations like contraception and abortion are possible even within a faith context 3. Integration of SRHR into other existing initiatives

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MOVEMENT BUILDING - VISIT TO YWCA KENYA BY YMCA NORFOLK FEBRUARY 2018

The YMCA Norfolk with a focus of seeking partnerships aimed at engaging youth for a volunteering programme abroad visited the YWCA Kenya to explore possibilities of initiating an exchange programme. The visit was also an opportunity for relationship and Movement building within the YWCA and YMCA global movements. Participants were able to visit different YWCA and YMCA projects in Kenya.

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PARTICIPATION IN CSW 2018 by YWCA Kenya Young Women

The 62nd session of the Commission on the status of women took place from the 12th to the 23rd of March 2018 in New York, USA. The priority theme of the session was focused on the Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls with an aim of ensuring participation in and access of women to the media, and information and communications technologies and their impact on and use as an instrument for the advancement and empowerment of women as per the agreed conclusion in the 47th session of the CSW.

Key areas of focus in the CSW62 session included; 1. Women and poverty 2. Education and training of women in rural areas 3. Accessibility of proper health facilities for all women 4. Violence against women 5. Women and the economy 6. Women in power and decision making 7. Institutional mechanism for the advancement of women in rural areas 8. Human rights of women I. Women and the media J. Women and the environment 9. The girl child 10. Inclusiveness in all aspects

The YWCA believes in working for the advancement and empowerment of young women, they should be given opportunities where they can openly share their experiences and challenges, develop awareness of their human rights and build capacity to claim this rights as empowered leaders, decision makers and change agents responding to the issues affecting their lives. No one should be left behind and we join together to ensure that there is inclusiveness for all ‘.

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THE GIRL DECLARATION; A call to Action for the Post 2015 Development Agenda

I was NOT put on this earth to be invisible I was NOT born to be DENIED I was not given LIFE only to belong to someone else I belong to me I have a VOICE and I will use it I have DREAMS unforgettable I have a name and it is not ANONYMOUS or INSIGNIFICANT OR UNWORTHY OR WAITING ANYMORE TO BE CALLED Someday, the will say: This was the moment when the world WOKE UP to my potential THIS IS THE MOMENT I WAS ALLOWED TO BE ASTONISHING THIS IS THE MOMENT WHEN MY RISING NO LONGER SCARES YOU This is the moment when being a girl became my STRENGTH My SANCTUARY not my pain This is the MOMENT when the world sees That I am held back by every problem and I am key to all solutions This is the moment when a GIRL and A girl and 250 million other girls say with voices loud that This is OUR moment this is MY moment This, yes this is the moment’’

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POSITIVE CHOICES TOWARDS THE ABANDONMENT OF FGM IN KURIA – FEED THE MINDS UK

The Positive Choices Towards the abandonment of FGM in Kuria is a project continued to be jointly implemented by YWCA Kenya and Education Centre for the Advancement of Women (ECAW), funded by Feed the Minds (FTM) UK. The project focus areas on of Maeta and Nyankore – in Kuria District, continued to be the main target communities.

Activities 1. 4 Girls Empowerment Sessions: plus graduation in Nyankore and in Maeta, 30 people attending both GEPs and graduation ceremony in each district 2. Girls Empowerment Graduation Ceremony 3. Parents Workshops: 2 in Nyankore, 2 in Maeta, 60 people attending both sessions in each district. 4. Door to door visits by paralegals 5. Community Leader Forums: 2 in Nyankore, 2 in Maeta, 30 leaders attending each session, 5 attending continuously (champions) in each district. 6. Weekly school clubs across 4 schools for a total of 480 children (30 children x 4 schools = 120 children per quarter, x 4 quarters) 7. School sports event for 120 children 8. Induction training for teachers: A total of 16 teachers engaged 4 teachers from 4 schools worked with in year 1, in Maeta and Nyakore . A total of 12 teachers engaged from the new schools in Nyabirongo, tongeria, sanchawa and Romangucha. (The 16 teachers, 8 are from the schools worked with in year 1 and 8 from the schools worked with in year 2) 9. 3 Capacity building trainings of Paralegals 10. 3 Capacity building trainings of Peer educators 11. Youth Forums: 4 in Nyankore, 4 in Maeta, 60 people continuous in each 12. Community forums: 9 in Nyankore, 9 in Maeta, 25 attending each session 13. Mothers workshops: 9 workshops in Nyankore (for a total of 30 women) and 9 workshops in Maeta (for a total of 30 women) 14. Mothers & daughters workshops: 4 in Nyakore, 4 in Maeta. 30 people attending; 15 mothers and 15 daughters in both districts (total: 60) 15. Fathers workshops: 9 workshops in Nyankore (for a total of 30 men) and 9 workshops in Maeta (for a total of 30 men) 16. Clan leader visits: Elderly male paralegals visit 4 members of the Clan of Elders once a month 17. Media Outreach : radio shows 18. Community engagement group training and visits comprising of 3 mothers and 3 fathers selected from each group that was involved in the workshops both in Nyankore and Maeta in year 1. 19. Printing IEC materials 20. Peer review meeting 21. 1 day guidance and counselling session with pupils during a sports event

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22. School outreach 23. Church outreach 24. Participated in FGM petition case by Dr. Tatu

Achievements

1. Sustained Public Dialogues on FGM/C More conversations on FGM took place. This was observed in the community, fathers/mothers and youth forums. Previously the conversations were considered taboo subjects and only referred to in spaces considered safe from other community members.

2. Controlled Monetary Expectation /Changed Mindsets The common practice in project implementation in the region is to offer transport reimbursement and food during community sessions. This is based on distances the participants travel and the time spend at the forums. Based on the poverty levels most participants would attend such sessions with the motive of getting food and money for use. After several sessions more community members begun to attend for the reason of gaining knowledge and improving their self-worth. There was a decrease in incidences where money was the incentive for attendance 3. Exchange Program with Centre for Community Mobilization and Empowerment (CECOME) CECOME is a community based organization in Kisii which aims to promote gender rights and end the practice of FGM. Kisii is a region in Kenya that borders Kuria and FGM is a cultural tradition that is still practiced in the region. The organization visited the Kuria project to learn best practices that could be replicated in their program. Of particular interest to them was the Participatory approach to problem solving.

4. Strengthened Family Unit As families are brought together to discuss FGM It is envisioned that the conversations will form the basis of strong family ties. The results are still not clear as this is an indicator that is not easy to measure immediately. However, 11 families were involved in the mothers and fathers workshop. 11 couples, 6 from Nyabirongo and 5 from Romangucha benefited from the project, where the husbands were involved in the fathers workshop and the wives in the mothers workshop. The couples shared how the learning has been of importance to them during the parents’ workshop. One couple gave feedback, that from the forums they have learnt that it is their responsibility to ensure that their girls are not cut or influenced to go for the cut and they can help talking about FGM and why girls should not go through the cut. The families also learnt that when solving family issues both the mother and the father have a key role to play and must do this jointly.

5. Girls mentorship sessions Using the YWCA mentorship guide girls have been mentored on a wide selection of topics. The mentorship classes as indicated by parents and teachers have improved the girl’s self-esteem, their ability to negotiate on issues that affect them and are acting as anti-FGM crusaders amongst

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their peers. Clearly the girls benefiting will not allow their daughters to undergo the cut so this acts as a long term strategy to the elimination of FGM. The mentorship sessions were also expanded to include menstrual hygiene management.

DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD 2018 AND THE INAUGURATION OF CHILD PROTECTION UNIT IN THARAKA NITHI COUNTY JUNE 2018 – YWCA MERU BRANCH

The Day of the African Child is celebrated annually on the 16th day of June. The theme for 2018 was “Leave No child behind for Africa’s Development”. In Meru, the Department of Children Services in Tharaka held the day on 14th June to mark the Inauguration of the Child Protection Unit built by Plan International, Tharaka. YWCA Meru Branch was part of the planning process for the event. The day presented an opportunity for the Branch to create visibility for the organization, make linkages with other CSOs, the County structures in order to explore partnerships aimed at empowering women and girls and the community as a whole. The Branch also had the opportunity to engage with the local FM stations to highlight the work of the YWCA.

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YOUTH EMPLOYABILITY EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME (YEEP) KISUMU BRANCH

Goal

To provide young people with practical skills that enhances their employability. Expected outcome  Increased employment opportunities for youth  Young people able to participate in their own development and that of their communities  Reduced incidences of high risk behavior amongst youth

Activities  Continuous mobilization/recruitment of students to join the vocational skills programme  Networking and collaboration with other partners in the hospitality industry for field exposure visits and attachment of students  Monthly Assessment of students on attachment  Theory Classes including; Front Office Management, Production, Food and Beverage and House keeping  Practical classes including; spiced chapati served with beef casserole and sauted kales and pilaf rice served with fresh fried masala and mixed vegetables

Support subjects:  Life skills /SRHR by FK Exchange Participants  Entrepreneurship skills- DOT Kenya  Basic Computer – Dot Kenya  Mentorship Sessions – Branch Christian Emphasis

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SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS (SRHR) AND HIV/AIDS PROGRAMME YWCA TANA RIVER BRANCH

Goal: To enhance the Sexual Reproductive Health and Right, leadership and advocacy skills of young people

Expected outcome  Young people have enhanced knowledge on SRHR and HIV/AIDS to disseminate the same information to their peers  Enhanced leadership skills of young people at individual and community levels  Young people imparted with knowledge on trauma healing  Young people well informed on FGM and able to advocate against the harmful practice

Activities  Community outreach on SRHR by young champions  Leadership and mentorship training for young people  Y-Teens outreach activities to educate them on sexual reproductive health issues  Creative arts sessions including poetry and singing by Y-Teens  Linking People Living With HIV/AIDS with health facilities

Life Story She had been sick for many days until her friends encouraged her to go for VCT to know her status. At first she didn’t want to because she did not think she had reason to fear being HIV positive. Her husband had died but she didn’t know the cause of his death since the relatives did not give her any information. Her in-laws took advantage of her level of literacy to not share information with her. She eventually went for a HIV test in order to dismiss the fact that she may be HIV positive. Her first reaction to getting a HIV positive result was denial. However with a lot of psychosocial support from the YWCA she learned to accept her status and not see it as a death sentence. The linkage by the Branch to a health care service provider helped her get on ARVs and to ensure adherence as well as good nutrition. She also developed a good support system that keeps her positively encouraged. Unfortunately, the information that hit her the most, was learning that one of her children was also infected and had to be put on treatment. The Branch however makes regular follow up to ensure that she is on course with the treatment given by the health officers. For any assistance the Branch liaises with the health officers to provide her with the necessary support.

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YOUNG WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME YWCA TANA RIVER BRANCH

Goal: To enhance the leadership skills of young women to enable them become confident and economically empowered

Expected Outcome  Enhanced participation in household decision making  Reduced incidences of family break up and separations  Reduced incidences of early pregnancies and early marriages.

Activities  Group training and follow up  Leadership and mentorship forums  Family development sessions  SRHR safe space sessions for girls  Financial literacy and table banking initiatives  Networking and partnerships with local stakeholders

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SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS (SRHR) AND HIV/AIDS PROGRAMME YWCA MOMBASA BRANCH Goal To create an inclusive society in Mombasa Branch where young girls and young women actualize their potential

Expected Outcome 1. Engagement of religious leaders to play an active role in prevention of HIV/AIDS 2. Improved delivery of SRHR and HIV/AIDS information and services to young women and men

Activity  Safe space sessions where the young women and girls meet weekly to discuss issues surrounding SRHR and HIV/AIDS

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SKILLFUL PARENTING PROGRAMME YWCA SIAYA BRANCH

Family is the basis of any society, hence the need to have a strong family foundation. The YWCA Siaya Branch has been engaging parents because of the powerful influence they have over their children and the need to have good relations within the family.

A total of 36 parents have undergone the skillful parenting training at the Branch. Unfortunately the parents who registered for the training were old and their poverty levels were quite high. This therefore hindered their involvement in table banking activities. The Branch took the opportunity to link 4 grandmothers to register with the Government support programme for the elderly which has a cash transfer programme to assist the elderly

SAFE SPACE AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT GROUP FOR DISCORDANT COUPLES YWCA SIAYA BRANCH

The Branch continued to work on anti HIV/AIDS stigma by holding monthly safe space support group meetings for Discordant Couples at the Branch premises.

Activities 1. Counselling and support 2. Family talk sessions 3. Referrals to health care service providers 4. Table banking and merry go round initiatives

Discordant members meeting at the branch

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GIRLS SAFE SPACE FORUMS YWCA SIAYA BRANCH

The Branch provides safe spaces for girls to explore their full potentials without fear or judgment at group sites and also at the Branch premises.

Activities 1. SRHR talks 2. Goal setting and life skills 3. Creative art forums (music, dance and theatre)

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NATIONAL COUNCIL 2018

The YWCA held its National Council on 2th October 2018 at the National Headquarters in Nairobi with the theme: “Find Your Voice, Share Your Story”.

This is an event that happens once in every two (2) years bringing together YWCA leadership, members, staff and key stakeholders to share the organization’s strategic vision, governance/leadership and sustainability agenda as well as converse around current issues affecting women and girls. Through the process the YWCA of Kenya is able to make decisions towards participatory and inclusive contribution to the local and global movement agenda as well as to the Kenyan Development Plans.

The meeting had a representation of all the 7 Branches of the YWCA Kenya giving the movement the opportunity to strengthen the movement as well as envision collectively for the Association. The Guest speaker of the day was Atsango Chesoni.

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FINANCIAL AUDITED ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR 2018

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CONTACTS National Headquarter Telephone: +254 020 2724699 /0202724789 Email: [email protected]

BRANCH CONTACTS: Nairobi Branch – [email protected] Kisumu Branch – [email protected] Mombasa Branch – [email protected] Tana River Branch – [email protected] Kisii Branch – [email protected] Meru Branch – [email protected] Siaya Branch – [email protected]

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