Not This Girl: UK Aid Match appeal 2018
£1.1m
was raised to tackle violence against women and girls in Kenya
87%
of girls said the acceptability of violence has reduced in their community
91%
of women and girls said that cases of violence are now more effectively responded to
Where did the funding go?
We ran the project in three counties in Kenya (Homabay, Garissa and Kilifi) which have low rates of girls’ education and high prevalence of early marriage, teenage pregnancies, female genital mutilation (FGM) and HIV/AIDS.
Girls, many of whom are child heads of households, are also vulnerable to transactional sex exploitation and violence in these areas.
What did we do?
Supporting girls
- We carried out education and trainings for girls to increase their awareness of violence and inform them how to report violence.
- We created safe spaces for girls in school to talk about the issues they face and discuss solutions.
- We ran trainings for women and girls in skills like soapmaking, baking, handicrafts and kitchen gardens, helping them to sustain themselves and therefore become less vulnerable to violence and exploitation.
Strengthening women's groups and communities
- We involved over 9,000 community members and 294 ‘duty bearers’ (local authorities and leaders), key influencers and FGM circumcisers in awareness-raising events and forums (surpassing a target of 8,488).
- We held 15 roundtable meetings, including the police, judicial officers, children’s officers and health practitioners, to plan for the provision of more effective violence services.
- This included the drafting of a Sexual and Gender Based Violence policy in Homabay County; it is currently awaiting presentation to the senate.
- We ran capacity-building trainings to strengthen local Women’s Rights Networks to help girls seek support in addressing cases of violence.
- This included trainings on case management systems to record cases of violence.
What was the impact?
Reduced violence against girls
Of the 890 adolescent girls interviewed at the end of the project, 87% said that acceptability of violence had reduced in their community, compared to three years ago (prior to the project start).
They said the community was now taking cases seriously and reporting them to the authorities, which had resulted in a reduction of violence.
The majority of girls (87%) also said they were now more confident reporting violence than they were three years ago.
Initially, rape cases were very many and nothing was done to the perpetrators. These days, the cases have reduced since people have taken such violations seriously and perpetrators are caught and taken to the authorities."
Focus group discussion with school girls, Kilifi county
Improved responses to violence
We also interviewed members of local Women’s Rights Networks at the end of the project. 91% of these women agreed that cases of violence were more effectively responded to by duty bearers, compared to before the project.
93% reported increased confidence in their ability to support survivors.
The project originally aimed to have 5,340 girls across the communities access safe spaces, and the knowledge and skills, to respond to cases of violence.
By the end of the project, 5,464 girls had accessed safe spaces, like dedicated school forums and peer support groups.
Traditionally girls believe that the boys are better than them because of low-esteem but this is increasingly changing, thanks to the forums."
Halima Ali, Not Any Girl Project Officer
For a long time, this community has considered FGM as a rite of passage for girls into adulthood. It has been culturally accepted and has become very powerful and has lasted generations. And, if a culture lasts that long, extinguishing it is not something that can be done in a day or two. But slowly as people are educated it fades with time."
Key informant interview, village elder, Garissa county
Out-of-school girls being trained in handicraft skills by members of the Nyarongi Women’s Network in Homabay county, Kenya. Photo: Mfalme Afrika Production/ActionAid
Sustainable skills for women and girls
Many girls said that poverty was a major contributor to their vulnerability to violence: girls who weren’t able to afford basic necessities like food, sanitary pads and clothing were more vulnerable to predatory men who promised to meet their needs.
Some women mentioned that their husbands didn’t properly provide for their families and if the women would ask for financial assistance from them, this would be met with verbal or physical assault.
But they said that having a source of income would shift their bargaining position within the household, and therefore decrease the likelihood of violence.
I am thankful because I did not have a business before and did not have a source of income. I also did not know how to prepare mahamri [fried bread]. But after I attended the classes by ActionAid, I learned how to make mahamri and I now have a source of income."
Out-of-school girl, Kenya
Greater economic independence
Many of the out-of-school girls we interviewed had formed savings groups during the project, and said they will continue with their groups after the project ends. The groups have helped to ensure they have a support system in place – not just for their economic well-being, but also their social and mental well-being.
We have a savings group where we contribute some money every week and whenever one has an emergency, they can ask for money from the group. This has prevented people taking advantage of us due to financial needs."
Focus group discussion with out-of-school girls, Garissa county
Helping girls and young women to build livelihoods
"I dropped out of school due to pregnancy and to speak the truth, life has not been very easy," says Dorine, an out-of-school girl from Kenya. "I had to depend on other people to provide for myself and the child.
"Even getting basic items like sanitary towels is a challenge when you are in that situation."
But thanks to the Not Any Girl project, Dorine was one of many girls and young women to attend a Girls' Forum led by a mentor from a local Women's Right Networks.
At the forums, girls learn about gender-based violence, understanding their rights and how to report cases of violence.
They also learn entrepreneurial and artisan skills that help them develop a sustainable income.
Dorine trained in hair and beauty; she is now running a beauty and cosmetic shop. She is earning enough money to take care of her family and save for the future.
Dorine Odondi, an out-of-school girl from Kenya, with her baby.
Mfalme Afrika Production/ActionAid
Ziporah, a young mother of two, is now working as a tailor and can provide for her family.
Mfalme Afrika Production/ActionAid
Supporting girls to become self-reliant
Zipporah is from Homabay County, and she also dropped out of school at a young age. Her parents couldn't afford the fees, and instead Zipporah got married immediately.
"It has been a tough life depending on my husband for everything," she said. "Sometimes he doesn’t and we go hungry."
But Zipporah has now trained as a tailor and bought a sewing machine with a loan from the local women's group.
The tailoring business is doing well and I am able to afford basic things for the family without depending fully on my husband. This has reduced conflicts at home," she says.
Page updated 27 September 2022
