FEMICIDE - A crisis we can no longer ignore.

 

Where do we stand????_Reflections By Rose.

 

REFLECTIONS BY ROSE.

 

BEYOND THE PINK GATE.

 

YOU - Reflections By Rose.

 

IMPACT OF THE DIGITAL DIVIDE ON ADOLESCENT GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN

 

TEEN PRENANCIES MENANCE IN KENYA.

 

REFLECTIONS BY ROSE.

 

Women Are Powerful

 

DREAMS...

DREAMS by ANN NDERITU.

Dreams are neither imaginations,

Nor are the things you dream of illusions.

Dreams are visions,

Visions that create connections.

Connections between possibilities and impossibilities.

Can you imagine the POWER in dreams?

That a deaf hears

A blind sees

A dumb talks

And surprisingly the dormant nature moves!

Then what’s the big deal in dreaming bigger

Big enough to make your future shiner

Shine enough to make it brighter

And bright enough to make it SUPER!!

DREAM BIG!!  DON’T GIVE UP!!  YOUR DREAM IS VALID!!

AFTER....

AFTER by IKRAN MOHAMMED.⧬

After every fall, there is a rise.
After every debate, there is a compromise.
You see, to still believe in your dreams when there is no genuine reason to believe in them.
To try to push on one more time with your hands full of blood, full of scars, full of disappointments and miscalculations.
To be bold enough to walk on stone barefoot.
To be gracious enough to gracefully accept defeat and humbly decide to start all over again from zero.
If we all subscribe to this kind of life philosophy then i believe no amount of delay, no amount of setback will ever stand between you and your destiny.
Don't wish it was easier, wish you were better.
Don't wish for fewer problems, wish for more skills.
Don't wish for less challenges, wish for more wisdom.
Whatever happens to you in life whether good or bad, your attitude shapes your reality.

POWER OF THE PRESENT WOMAN

                                                                                                                               A woman, is a life giver and a magic maker

Born with the heart of a thousand mothers

Open, fearless and sweet

A woman is a person who feels deeply and loves fiercely

Being both powerful and soft is her nature

She doesn’t make herself pitiful nor does she point fingers

They stand firm and deal with the situation boldly

With full of strength, courage and dignity

She sees the world with a sense of confidence and grace

Her once reckless spirit is now tempered by wisdom

Quietly yet firmly she speaks her truth without doubt or hesitation

And the life she leads is of her own creation

She has a strong yet generous heart

The inner beauty she emanates truly sets the real her

Her strength is not measured by the impact,

That all her hardships in life have had on her

                 A WOMAN IS EVERYTHING WE NEED IN

                              IN THIS WORLD

Article by Esther Musyoki

Resource Center for Women and Girls intern  

                                                                                                                                                                                          

        

CELEBRATING WOMEN

 Girl, Daughter, Sister, Friend, Mother.

Women come in all shapes and sizes. Imperfect beings, flaws and all, make each woman individually unique. Sun kissed and coated by the stars glaze and made to epitomize the soul of God in feminine form. 

Women are unique, molded by their environment and made strong with passing time. Aging like fine wine, women become enhanced and their purpose more defined with changing times. Being a woman is about changing the perspective and perception of what the world prescribes as roles, responsibilities and status in the political, economic and social aspect. 

Women came from men’s rib – their side, to be their equal; not from their feet to be walked on or trampled. A woman’s beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, and nothing quite fits this than the fact that God himself took His precious time to mold women to His standard and need - He gave women HEART, and any man needing her HEART must seek God first.

A woman who KNOWS, and understands herself internally and externally has SELF-LOVE thus she is a force to be reckoned with. For she knows that she has enough strength for her life journey spiritually, mentally, physically ad socially - struggles, challenges, roadblocks and all. A woman is like magnet that leaves a field of impact in her wake, attracting the good and repelling the bad. She is PHENOMENALLY WOMAN. 

Women’s beauty, is not in the clothes they wear but in how they wear them; is not in the shape of their body but how they carry their figures; is not in the way they comb their hair but in the tresses and roots of their heritage; is not in their words but their actions; is not in their smile but in their eyes – the doorway to their heart; is not in talking without want but with need; is not in their weakness but in their strength; because they are more precious than jewels.

“...It’s in the reach of my arms, the span of my hips, the stride in my step, the curl of my lips…”

“…It’s the fire in my eyes, the flash of my teeth, the swing in my waist, and the joy in my feet…”   

“…My inner mystery. When I try to show them, they say they still can’t see. I say, it’s in the arch of my back, the sun of my smile, the ride of my breasts, the grace of my style…”

Maya Angelou – Phenomenal Woman

( https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48985/phenomenal-woman )

THE CUT

She tried calling out to her mother

But she could listen to none of it

Hoping to get assistance from her sister

But she was ignored

Thoughts, dreams haunted, threatened her

She could not bring herself to the facts

In school she had learnt about it

Advised to report if any tragedy

Would occur back at home

Fear was in her she thought of her families

Reputation and not hers

She had to come up with a plan

It was the next day and there was no backing off

Her father was so happy and had a suitor

For her

She wept on the inside and faked a smile

On the outside

The preparations were set

Soon after the cut she would get married

Such she had not desired

Big dreams she had

And was afraid they were finally nullified

By her own father

They matched to the river

Where the cut was to be done

All her other colleagues were excited

For her she was trembling

When it was her turn

She thought for a moment

‘Spread your legs’

She denied, looked in her father’s eyes

They were filled with rage

She run away to sort for help

Never to go back to the people

Whom she loved betrayed her

Article by Joy Mwende
Mentoring and Empowerment camps Alumni.

A PRETTY DREAM

I was born with a beautiful dream,

I didn’t know I had it,

Until I realized my potential, ability and passion,

I really want to achieve and live it,

It’s just a pretty dream!

How can I show how much I love and value it,

How can I share about it,

The more I think of it the more I want it,

It’s like and addiction,

It’s just a pretty dream!

As the sun rises each morning and shines all day long,

As the sun sets so beautifully in the evening,

The more it becomes attractive, beautiful and addictive,

The more thirst quarters my desire over it,

It’s just a pretty dream!

My dream is to become a feminist who influences change,

My dream is to live like a trailblazer,

My dream is touch the lives of many young girls and women through my story,

My dream is to become a strong pillar in my family.

Oh! It’s such a pretty dream,

I am the pretty dream!

Article by Edith Nene
Mentoring and Empowerment Camps Alumni.

Rural Spaces to Global Spaces: The CSW Experience!!

For CSW 62 theme, ‘Challenges and Opportunities in achieving gender equality and empowerment of rural women and girls’ meant that it was important that the Resource Center for Women and Girls be part of this space being that rural girls and rural-urban girls are the priority and focus target group of our work.                                      

Prior to the CSW, women’s organizations organized, convened and put all efforts and hard work to ensure that the voices of the very people the theme targeted were represented in the CSW space and that no one would be left behind and to achieve this, was to ensure that women and girls living in rural areas attended the CSW. This is because they are best placed to articulate their issues drawing from their own lived realities.

However, the outcome of this effort was not positive as there were very many cases of young women and girls from rural areas whose visas were denied, on the grounds that they were unmarried, had no previous travel experience, their age, employment status, etc. This was just another one of the many barriers that continue to inhibit the full realization of the rights and empowerment of women and girls.

As a young woman who lives in the rural area in Eastern Kenya and works with Resource Center for Women and Girls in Machakos, I was among the few who got a visa and was lucky to have had the chance to travel to New York for the CSW. I looked forward to connecting with other young women and learn about their contribution to the empowerment of rural girls and women and the women’s movement in their countries. I attended several meetings, side events and parallel meetings. In every session I was in, some questions and reflections kept recurring in my mind, ‘how will my presence and participation in these spaces change the life of the rural girls in Machakos?’ How do we ensure the conversations in the meetings, caucuses, side events, negotiations, etc. make sense to that one girl back in Machakos, walking to school more than 5km every morning or missing school because she lacks sanitary towels and is afraid of the embarrassment associated with menstruating?’. Are the groups we represent in global spaces aware that those spaces exist? How do we increase their participation in those spaces?’ Why is it that some organizations always have the same people in the global spaces? What changes have they brought to the communities they serve by attending these spaces for more than 10 years?

These questions among others need answers, NOW! In forums like the CSW, you find characters, tribes, countries, etc. from different continents are represented. It is a very colorful and beautiful dynamic to be part of. Women from distinct walks of life coming together with one agenda: WOMEN! This reminded me of the Mentoring and Empowerment retreats of the Resource Center for Women and Girls, behind our bright pink gate you can’t miss in Machakos. There’s always excitement, great vibes, bonding and the manifestation of sisterhood when women of diverse cultures, tribes, race, etc. congregate in the same spaces. The energies are fiery and feisty!

The trading of business cards at the CSW, that sometimes accumulate dust in our offices, the powerful exchange of information, the laughter, the tears, the matches, the sisterhood and the solidarity. All these things together are what make CSW what it is. So, what makes the CSW what it’s not? In my opinion, it is the government delegations who use tax payer’s money to travel to New York, attend the opening sessions and go for shopping sprees. It is these delegates who make a fuss because they do not have a D badge (Delegates badge which allows access to closed meetings and VIP entrance free from security search) yet they never attend the sessions and discussions critical to the development of their countries. It is the lack of or minimal representation of the people who should be present the most. It is the lack of financing for women and girls’ organisations to attend spaces where they build capacity, network, learn and grow.

All things considered, the CSW is a platform I think that every young woman should attend at least once in their career because one is exposed to an array of good ideas, best practices, re-energized and most of all a pool of mentors, at least I know I did.

Article by Ivy Nyawira

Alumni and Team Member

RCWG!

BELIEVING IN SELF

An innocent young girl

Not knowing a thing about the world

Very gullible to the things of the earth

Everything she experienced was new to her

She was so excited to join high school

She joined a great school

Not her dream school

But still a prestigious one

Little by little

Her eyes were opened to the world

She didn’t like it one bit

Her hopes of the wolrd being free

Was torn down into bits

The world was judgmental

People didn’t stop being haters

This crashed her world into tiny things

Her heart breaking badly

But she could not believe it

The world wasn’t what she thought it was

Girls terrorized girls

Fellow girls spread rumors

They all tried to demean one another

One way or another

This didn’t break her though

She strived to be strong

To be bold

To be her

The world changed around her

But it didn’t change her it built her tremendously

It is true

What doesn’t kill you

Makes you stronger

Article by Doreen Mbinya

Mentoring and Empowerment Camps Alumni

THE JOURNEY OF A YOUNG WOMAN IN POLITICS

I wake up every morning with anticipation, waiting to see how the day will unfold, and what it has in store for me.

The last few weeks weren’t necessarily good, in fact the happenings made me feel small, and that I couldn’t make a difference in the society, as if I have to walk a million miles to achieve my dream, the dream to become the first female president of the republic of Kenya.

To achieve my dream, I had decided to go out to the world and lay a foundation for my already set plan. What I hadn’t realized is that nothing comes easy and that the well set out plan would have to go through a few hiccups in order to just make a single step.

I had previously met an agent of my area Member of Parliament during the August 2017 General elections and seeked his advice on what to do to nurture my political leadership ambitions. He promised to introduce me to the member-of-parliament himself for mentorship purposes but before that, I had to go to his political party to get more information and also to register as a member. He advised me to go to the youth offices of the political party.

On the D-day, I set out very excited and couldn’t wait to sit down in the evening to review the happenings of the day. I started off at the offices of the political party office. When I got there, I first looked like a confused person as I seemingly didn’t fit in that environment. The guards were hesitant to let me in but I eventually convinced them to let me in. I proceeded to the reception desk and asked to be directed to the Youth officer. The receptionist told me to go to the fourth floor.

I was anxious while entering the office but I built up my confidence and walked in. I took a seat and started to explain the nature of my visit to the Youth Officer, I was out to seek information. I explained to him that I initially wanted to run for a youth representative seat in my constituency and that I was very confident that I could immerse a large constituency to vote for me. He smiled. I didn’t understand why he did so but I thought he was very impressed by what I had told him. This built my confidence even further.

He told me that I was in the right place and explained to me the party’s constitution, the membership and the programmes that the party was currently following up on. I was excited because most of the programmes he mentioned were meant to target the youth and women. I asked him to invite me to the next workshop, seminars or summits they would hold concerning the same. He encouraged me to keep my fire burning and to follow up on my dreams.

I left the office feeling better, as if I had made a great stride. On my way home, I realized one thing, I didn’t get the information I had wanted. Instead, I was a member of a political party and had just received a summary of the constitution. I didn’t get the information on my goal, to become the youth representative of my area.

I decided to go to the District Youth Officer. I got lost a few times because many people didn’t and still don’t know that the office existed. When I finally found the office, I was amazed, it was in the furthest corner of the district offices premises and it seemed that no one ever visited the office. In fact, the youth officer even remarked that they usually don’t get people coming to make inquiries and the most visited office was the youth fund office. Basically, what he meant was that a high percentage of the youth were actually not aware about the existence of the office, that there is a law that states that they could elect a person to represent them in the National Youth Council or that there is actually a National Youth Council.

He gave me the background information about the Youth Council and gave me a very interesting point. The Youth Council elections had not been held for the longest time, specifically since 2013. The terms of the elected persons is that, you have to run for a period of three years. After the completion of the term, the candidates could vie for office for a second term and if they had already been in office for two terms they could not run for office again.  I asked him whether there was an existent Council and he said yes. I wondered how that was possible since there hadn’t been elections.

I left my contact details with him and asked him to contact me once there was more news on when the next elections would be held.

Thereafter, I headed to town to meet a student leader in my school. He was also a member of the stated political party and had really been resourceful in giving me information. When I got there, the conversation changed. It became more of a social meeting rather than a serious business meeting. He talked about himself all through and asked me why I wanted to venture into the men’s world. He told me I was doomed for failure and that if I wanted to make it in the political arena, I would have to make a lot of ‘friends’ and ‘invest’ in my friendship with him. He had already objectified me and created a stumbling block for me; Sexual favours in exchange for mentorship and networking opportunities.

I declined the proposal and that’s how my communication with the individual ended. I didn’t let this weigh me down and decided to take up a new approach; getting a mentor among the present leaders.

I went back to the agent who had directed me to the political party to follow up on his promise but he told me that the member-of-parliament was not open to offer mentorship to people since he had to concentrate on the job he was elected to do.

I looked up among my friends for contact details of people who could help me out and I got phone numbers and email addresses of some leaders. I sent constant emails, made various phone calls but never got a response. Thereafter, I went on social media and websites of most of the politicians trying to contact them but that wasn’t fruitful either.

As I was not successful in these methods, I asked a friend to add me in a particular youth leadership group which he did. From there, I started getting updates about Youth Leadership trainings. The main problem was, the only postings were about how the trainings were but not links for applications to be part of the trainings. I would ask some of the people in the group about the application processes but I never got a response.

At some point it became frustrating as I saw that most of the doors were shut. Most of the leadership programmes I had applied for didn’t give me hope either as I would not get a response or if I did, they were acknowledgement of receipt of the application.

I have not been able to reach these people but I am hopeful that with time and with my continuous efforts, I will finally reach my destination. I am still applying for youth leadership programmes and am hopeful that eventually I will receive confirmation to attend the trainings.

Article by Esther Wambui

Mentoring and Empowerment Camps Alumni

Group of 2015