Unemployment levels among young people in Kenya persist, disproportionately affecting young women who often also grapple with other challenges caused by patriarchal norms and safety issues such as sexual harassment in school, at work and even homes. Young women are left behind in the uptake of the limited jobs in various sectors due to challenges such as sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) both during recruitment and in the course of work, teenage pregnancies and teen motherhood, cultural norms that perpetuate unequal and retrogressive practices like limiting gender roles, FGM, and child marriages, and vicious poverty. How best do we support young women to competitively take up space at work and in development opportunities?
We held a learning and dialogue event with young women in higher learning institutions and first time jobs to discuss their work aspirations, desires, and the challenges that they face in their day to day lives. This event was an opportunity to share tips and tools that young women can explore in navigating employment and job creation opportunities as well as workplace dynamics. Our goal is to facilitate teen girls’ and young women’s development. In the end, we want to see young women leading and championing decent work that is free of Gender-based violence and any barriers to people’s development and prosperity.
Many thanks to Siasa Place and all our friends for the support and partnership in the event.
#DadaAtWork
