World Vision Kenya urges action on gender equality, economic empowerment, and legal reforms to protect women and girls from violence and discrimination.

On International Women’s Day 2025, World Vision Kenya (WVK) has reiterated its commitment to advancing gender equality and eliminating systemic barriers that hinder the progress of women and girls across the country. Under this year’s theme, “Accelerate Action for ALL Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, and Empowerment,” WVK is calling for urgent interventions to address gender-based violence, economic inequality, and social discrimination.

Gender Inequality and Violence Remain Pervasive

Despite ongoing efforts, women and girls in Kenya continue to face deep-rooted gender inequalities. Statistics highlighted by WVK paint a grim picture:

45% of Kenyan women have experienced physical violence in their lifetime (Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, 2022).
56% of homicides in Kenya stem from intimate partner or domestic violence (UN Women, 2021).
Over 1,000 women are killed annually due to gender-based violence, including femicide (Kenya National Police Service, 2023).

World Vision Kenya emphasizes that addressing these issues requires collaborative, multi-dimensional interventions that empower women, engage communities, and strengthen accountability mechanisms.

World Vision Kenya’s Strategic Interventions

WVK has been actively working on gender equality and social inclusion through various programs:

1. Economic Empowerment for Women

Through Savings for Transformation groups and partnerships like Vision Fund, WVK has helped over 40,000 women access financial tools, loans, and entrepreneurial training.
Local Value Chain Development (LVCD) programs have enhanced women’s participation in economic activities, increasing resilience and independence.

2. Shifting Social Norms to End Gender-Based Violence

WVK’s initiatives such as Channels of Hope for Gender, Celebrating Families, and Becoming One have engaged over 200,000 individuals in gender-transformative dialogue, targeting faith leaders, parents, and community influencers.

3. Empowering Women and Girls with Disabilities

Through the Travelling Together model, WVK has trained over 5,000 women and girls with disabilities in economic empowerment, legal rights, and protection against gender-based violence.

4. Advocacy for Stronger Policies and Legal Protections

WVK has been instrumental in advocating for over 100 legal reforms that enhance the protection of women and girls, focusing on child protection structures, survivor-centered services, and legal justice reforms.

A Call to Action

Gilbert Kamanga, National Director of World Vision Kenya, emphasized the urgent need for government, communities, and organizations to act decisively in protecting and empowering women and girls.

World Vision Kenya is urging:

Governments to invest in policies that promote gender equality and enforce protection mechanisms.
Communities to foster safe and inclusive environments for women and girls.
Duty Bearers to improve enforcement of laws that safeguard women’s rights.
Donors & NGOs to support initiatives aimed at tackling gender-based violence and economic disparities.

For more details, visit www.wvi.org/kenya.