Gender Equality
Giving Grants to Empower Women in Kenya
On Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands, gender-based violence and control mean that women have limited opportunities to take leadership roles or to earn a livi ng. As a result, women and girls are often disproportionately affected by climate crises and food insecurity.
Following severe droughts, Oxfam and our partners gave 24 cash grants to women-led groups – such as the one chaired by Gumato Bagajo– to build new livelihoods to support their families and wider communities.
Gumato Bagajo helped to establish the Segel Machesa Self-Help Group for survivors of gender-based violence in 2020.
As well as providing a safe space for the women to share their experiences, the group also exists to generate funds for local families whose livelihoods have been destroyed by drought.
Following severe droughts, Oxfam and our partners gave 24 cash grants to women-led groups – such as the one chaired by Gumato Bagajo– to build new livelihoods to support their families and wider communities.
Gumato Bagajo helped to establish the Segel Machesa Self-Help Group for survivors of gender-based violence in 2020.
As well as providing a safe space for the women to share their experiences, the group also exists to generate funds for local families whose livelihoods have been destroyed by drought.
We meet every weekend and contribute 70 Kenyan Shillings. Out of the 70 Shillings, 20 are set aside to support any family in need, whether they are part of our group or not.— Gumato Bagajo, Chairperson of the Segel Machesa Self-Help Group
The group received a grant from Oxfam and our partner, the Marsabit Women Advocacy Development Organization (MWADO) in 2024.
The women used their grant to build a hall and buy chairs, which means they can now hold their weekly meetings in comfort and privacy.
But this hall (pictured below) is not only a safe space – it is also a business venture. The women use the hall to generate income by renting it out for community meetings and events.
In 2024, you helped to fund 24 grants to women’s groups and 15 microgrants to individual survivors of gender-based violence. These grants helped women like Gumato to confront the consequences of gender-based injustice and climate breakdown. The benefits for the women themselves, their families and their communities will be wide-ranging and long lasting. Thank you.
You can watch Gumato’s story Here
Support solutions that can build a future where women lead, thrive, and uplift entire communities
Funding Leadership Training for Women in Nepal
Pramila Devi Bhul had dreamed of being a community leader since childhood, after witnessing her father’s public speeches and the way people turned to him for help.
In 2017, now a wife and mother, she was approached to stand as a ward member in the local elections, to represent the marginalised Dalit people in her community. Pramila was hesitant to take on such responsibility but, after her bid went uncontested, her political career began in earnest.
In 2017, now a wife and mother, she was approached to stand as a ward member in the local elections, to represent the marginalised Dalit people in her community. Pramila was hesitant to take on such responsibility but, after her bid went uncontested, her political career began in earnest.
During my first tenure, I had limited knowledge and skills. The decision-making was dominated by male leaders, and I did not have the knowledge to make substantial contributions. I did not know the process and was not confident in public speaking.— Pramila Devi Bhul.
That all changed when Pramila joined Oxfam’s Transformative Leadership of Women Leaders in Nepal.
Pramila participated in training sessions run by our local partner, Women Leadership Platform – including public speaking, proposal writing, government policies and budget planning – as well as learning about women’s rights.
Since completing her training, Pramila has been re-elected as a ward member and was also elected to serve on the executive committee for her municipality. As a result, she now has even more power to amplify women’s voices and procure vital funding.
Thanks to Pramila’s help and their own determination, 18 women (to date) have now trained as tailors, and some have even opened their own businesses. And women farmers in a remote agricultural region now have an irrigation system that allows them to grow crops year-round – even in the dry season.
“I hope to keep serving my people. I want to be elected to more decision-making roles so I can better serve the people.”— Pramila Devi Bhul.
At Oxfam we believe in providing solutions that leave a lasting impact. Through your support, women like Pramila can gain confidence and independence.
A donation from you could empower more women like Pramila and support them to take on leadership roles within their community and government.
