Context • In over 90% of reported cases, men are the main perpetrators of violence. • Over the last decade, Kenya has been successful in enacting laws and designing policies to fight Sexual and Gender based Violence. The crime however, continues to be endemic.

THEMATIC FOCUS 3- Women Empowerment Strategic goal • Women, men, boys and girls have their rights respected and protected and enjoy equitable access to resources and opportunities. Strategic Objectives • To contribute in reduction of Gender Based Violence by 30% in the targeted households by 2026 • To provide livelihood support to 250 women and girls over the next 5 years THEMATIC FOCUS 3- Women Empowerment Key Activities Train on rights, Gender based violence and Behaviour change process for 250 Women and Girls in the next 5 years Facilitate support group therapies /Individual counselling to 250 Women and Girls in the next 5 years Facilitate male engagement activities that lead to being supporters of women rights Participate in advocacy initiatives under Nakuru County GBV networks, National Police Service, National Gender Commission, National Legal Aid Services, Judiciary and the DPP. Sensitize communities on GBV Referral and linkages to relevant stakeholders e.g. Safe shelters, Medical support, Legal Aid etc.

THEMATIC FOCUS 3- Women Empowerment Key Activities • Train 250 women and girls on vocational and or business skills • Link 250 women and girls to saving and lending groups within the community THEMATIC FOCUS 3- Women Empowerment Key Achievements – YEAR 1(2022) Percentage annual target reach = 176% (440/250x100) • The interventions contributed to target young women transformation from state of vulnerability to empowerment demonstrated through increased self-esteem, confidence, sense of belonging and coping; and engagement in income generation activities. • Most of the beneficiaries began the project unemployed and without a source of income since they were from low income settings. However, 88% of the beneficiaries felt that the project’s economic empowerment initiatives, such as entrepreneur skill training and saving and lending community based activities, had assisted them in acquiring assets and income. THEMATIC FOCUS 3- Women Empowerment Key Achievements – YEAR 1(2022) • Supported the formation and mentorship of 20 Savings and Internal Lending communities (SILC) groups. The beneficiaries' thus accessed timely and affordable loans to actualize and further IGA. • 13 out of 20 SILC groups registered with the Ministry of Labour and Social Services. This enabled one of the SILC group receive 50 plastic chairs to boost their income generation through hiring the seats out to the public at a fee. This was a direct support from Office of the County Assembly.

THEMATIC FOCUS 3- Women Empowerment Key Achievements – YEAR 1(2022) • One other SILC group entered into a contract with Nakuru Water and Sanitation Company to operate a water kiosk and paid a commission from the service. • The empowered young women gained confidence to report GBV to relevant authorities. A total of 36 cases of violence were reported in the year and received legal aid support – Out of which, 7 cases of physical assault were reported to the police; 2 cases advanced to court and currently ongoing; 9 cases of neglect were supported to reach out to children's department where the fathers were obligated to remit child support; 19 women survivors of economic and psychological violence were supported to report to the area chief and reparation instituted. They were also taken through individual counselling to help ease the trauma experienced.

THEMATIC FOCUS 3- Women Empowerment Key Achievements – YEAR 1(2022) • Significant shift in male partners' attitudes toward women and girls, such as increased respect for their partners and embracing dialogue rather than resorting to violence, decreased intimate partner violence, and crime reform. • Target communities where Community conversations (CCs) were instituted and vibrant reported; -improved gender attitudes where men were more supportive of women’s rights. -Improved stakeholders’ engagement with the police to address insecurity -Enhanced voice of the community in demanding for their rights. • The community has taken ownership of the CC and can continue without funding.

THEMATIC FOCUS 3- Women Empowerment Key Achievements – YEAR 1(2022) As members of key advocacy forums, that is, Nakuru County Gender Working group, and Nakuru County Society Organisation, LHC in pushed for; • Enactment of the Nakuru County Community volunteers Service bill aimed at recognizing and enhancing the work of community health volunteers. • fast-tracking the construction of government sponsored rescue Centre for the GBV survivor