Kajiado:More than 100 survivors of gender-based violence in Kajiado County have successfully completed vocational training aimed at equipping them with the skills necessary to start businesses, generate income, and achieve economic independence.
According to Kenya News Agency, the training was part of the Jasiri Programme, supported by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented by the Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development (CCGD) in partnership with the Nareto Latia Indigenous Peoples’ Programme. This initiative focused on various skills, including dressmaking, beadwork, cooking, hairdressing, beauty, financial literacy, life skills, and entrepreneurship.
The programme also specifically targets women and girls whose education was disrupted by harmful cultural practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM), early marriages, and teenage pregnancies. Isaac Tobiko, Nareto Latia Programmes Officer, emphasized that the programme offers women and girls who dropped out of school a second chance by providing them with vocational training and practical skills.
Nashipae Senei, a representative of CCGD, highlighted the organization’s collaboration with vocational training centers to ensure that survivors and women at risk acquire skills for self-reliance. She mentioned that the programme also facilitates access to affordable loans from banks, enabling the beneficiaries to establish and expand their businesses.
Jackline Siameto, a beneficiary, pointed out that poverty is one of the factors contributing to gender-based violence, and improving women’s economic status is crucial in reducing their vulnerability. She noted that access to financial resources empowers women to make independent decisions, support their families, and improve their living conditions.
Another beneficiary, Esther Nasieku, shared her personal experience, explaining that she had to leave school in Form Two due to an early marriage. However, the Jasiri training provided her with practical skills, allowing her to earn an income and support her family. The programme’s efforts extend beyond Kajiado, also supporting survivors and women at risk in other counties, including Marsabit and Kwale, thereby broadening access to vocational skills and economic empowerment opportunities.
