The Grenchus Foundation @ Women and Girls in Kenya - Per Jack Bambo Founder of Light Uriri
Challenges Affecting Girls and Women in rural Kenya by Jack Bambo, Founder Light Uriri. ..Followed with Connections and Possible Solutions…
1. Access to Education Millions of girl primary school age are not in school, and about one out of every four young women in rural Kenya have never completed their primary school education. This number represents a huge pool of untapped girl power: that same report suggests that educated women are more likely to get married later, survive childbirth, raise healthy kids, find work, and earn more money, among other positives.
2. Employment Opportunities Women in rural Kenya still experience major inequality in the workforce. Empowering women to earn their fair share could benefit their entire communities in a big way: women are likely to invest more of their money back into their families and communities than men typically do.
3. Reproductive Health & Rights Millions of women inrural Kenya have an unmet need for family planning, contributing to unplanned pregnancies and thousands abortions every year. Helping women take charge of their baby-making reduces abortions and maternal deaths by over 70% each, and conserves precious resources that would otherwise have gone toward pregnancy-related costs.
4. Maternal Health Many women die every day from preventable, pregnancy-related causes.
5. Gender-based Violence 1 in 3 women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetimes. Whether its domestic abuse, rape, or sexual trafficking, gender-based violence denies far too many women the opportunity to live happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
6. Child Marriage Many young girl become child brides . Girls who marry before age 18 are typically denied an education, at risk of complications related to premature childbearing, and more vulnerable to intimate partner violence.
7. Female Genital Mutilation Female Genital Mutilation (or FGM), defined by WHO as including procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons, is a complex issue with religious and cultural implications for the groups who practice it. FGM imposes real health consequences, violates a childs rights, and promotes inequality between the sexes.
8. Water & Sanitation When clean drinking water and hygienic sanitation facilities are in short supply, women and girls suffer most. Case in point: Girls whose schools lack proper bathrooms will often skip school during their menstrual periods for fear of embarrassment or stigma..
9. Gender Equality Equality (or the lack thereof) is a recurring issue when it comes to women and girls, whether its unequal access to schooling for girls in rural Kenya, or unequal pay for women in the workplace.
10. Low Agricultural Productivity Women work more hours per day than men when all productive activities are considered including housework, market activities, and childcare. However, their agricultural productivity is lower than that of men because they lack access to land, financial services & agricultural inputs.
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Currently, because of political tensions and protests against the new leadership in the country, the children’s education has been cut back, to ensure their safety. The children are scheduled to stay home on days during the protests so that their safety is not jeopardized .. and on other days, scheduled to go to school.
We are also beginning to be in deeper conversations with Dr. Andrise Bass who is Transforming Leadership Education Through Public Policy & Diplomacy
Sustainable Development Diplomacy - United Nations and IPPDR.ORG
Although registration for her program is closed for this year, you can still become a volunteer with her program. She is also currently seeking brand ambassadors/ambassadors. If you are interested, please email our founder at: mega@thegrenchusfoundation.org directly as she will refer you.
We will continue to work closely to overcome the challenges above. Jack will also be in direct contact with Dr. Andrise Bass as well.
The Board of the Grenchus Foundation are also in the middle of creating an arts cultural exchange program including but not limited to Kenya, Latin and South America , United States, and Europe where Kenyan and African culture and music will be exchanged with Latin and South American Music and culture, and American and European music and culture.
We are also in conversation about Women and Young Adult youth from Kenya attending World Youth Day with Pope Francis in Portugal 2023.
If you would like to donate or volunteer or help with overcoming some of these issues is Jack Bambo, Light Uriri, and Reignite Global, please go to:
https://www.reigniteglobal.org/
Looking for a deeper dive? Sign up for our Transformational Coaching!