DASBA Foundation International is a transformative organization focused on empowering youth and women for community needs and benefits from support from international humanitarian agencies , amplifying its impact on positive change.
[ Dr Peris Kirigo
founding president ]
[ Susan sangina
Executive director ]
[ Wahu wa Karithi
Advisory board ]
[ Nduta Nganga
pshycologist ]
DASBA Foundation’s Activities in Kenya and Beyond Africa to End Gender-Based Violence and Empower Women .
The DASBA Foundation is a leading organization in the fight to end gender-based violence (GBV) and promote the empowerment of women and girls across Kenya and beyond Africa. Through a series of carefully designed programs, DASBA focuses on prevention, response, advocacy, and economic empowerment. The foundation’s activities are built on best practices and inspired by global initiatives like those of UN Women, with an emphasis on community engagement, capacity building, and institutional strengthening. DASBA also creates safe spaces for the boy child, ensuring no one is left behind in the journey towards a more just and empowered community.
1. Institutional Strengthening Program·
Objective: Advocate for the integration of gender-responsive programs into all institutions and communities to support gender equality.·
Key Activities:o Engaging with Institutions: DASBA partners with government ministries, local authorities, and civil society organizations to promote Gender Responsive Planning and Budgeting (GRPB) in Kenya and other African countries. This ensures that policies and budgets account for the unique needs of women and girls.
o Workshops and Seminars: DASBA conducts workshops for policymakers and community leaders, focusing on gender-sensitive program development and resource allocation.
o Monitoring & Evaluation: Regular assessments are conducted to ensure the effective allocation of resources to gender-responsive programs, advocating for accountability at both local and national levels.
2. Prevention and Social Norms Program·
Objective: Address and transform harmful social norms that perpetuate violence against women and girls.
· Key Activities:o Community Engagement Campaigns: DASBA organizes campaigns in rural and urban communities, targeting traditional, religious, and community leaders to challenge and shift cultural norms that condone GBV. The foundation also conducts mass media campaigns to educate the public.
o Education and Training on SGBV: Collaborating with local organizations, DASBA trains community groups to prevent Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). These training sessions include strategies for early intervention and promoting gender equality.
o Alternative Rites of Passage: In regions where practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) are prevalent, DASBA introduces alternative rites of passage ceremonies, paired with livelihood programs for traditional practitioners to reduce reliance on harmful practices.
3. Civil Society Organizations and Women’s Movement Program·
Objective: Strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) and women’s rights groups to advocate effectively for women’s rights and gender equality.·
Key Activities:o Training for CSOs: DASBA offers capacity-building workshops for local CSOs and women’s rights groups in Kenya and across Africa, focusing on gender-based violence advocacy and human rights.
o Coalition Building: DASBA helps establish coalitions of women’s rights groups to unify their efforts in advocacy, allowing for a stronger, more visible women’s rights movement.
o Support for Vulnerable Groups: The foundation provides financial grants and technical support to grassroots organizations advocating for the rights of marginalized women, including access to legal aid services for survivors of violence.
4. Economic Empowerment for Traditional Practitioners Program·
Objective: Offer alternative livelihoods to traditional practitioners involved in harmful practices, empowering women economically to improve their lives.
· Key Activities:o Training on Sustainable Livelihoods: DASBA provides training in climate-smart agriculture, entrepreneurship, and business development to former traditional practitioners, particularly those previously involved in FGM.
o Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs): The foundation sets up VSLAs to support women’s financial independence and entrepreneurship, enabling them to start small businesses and become economically empowered.
o Scaling Up Livelihood Programs: DASBA plans to expand its successful economic empowerment programs across multiple counties in Kenya and into neighboring African nations where harmful practices are still prevalent.
5. Media and Advocacy Program·
Objective: Promote responsible and ethical reporting on gender-based violence and raise awareness on women’s rights through media platforms.
· Key Activities:o Journalist Training on Ethical Reporting: DASBA conducts workshops for journalists and media professionals in Kenya, training them on how to report GBV cases sensitively and ethically, ensuring survivors are not stigmatized.
DASBA Foundation’s Activities in Kenya and Beyond Africa to End Gender-Based Violence and Empower Women The DASBA Foundation is a leading organization in the fight to end gender-based violence (GBV) and promote the empowerment of women and girls across Kenya and beyond Africa. Through a series of carefully designed programs, DASBA focuses on prevention, response, advocacy, and economic empowerment. The foundation’s activities are built on best practices and inspired by global initiatives like those of UN Women, with an emphasis on community engagement, capacity building, and institutional strengthening.
Transformative Women’s Leadership Activities in Communities Across Kenya and Africa by DASBA Foundation
The DASBA Foundation is committed to promoting transformative women’s leadership in Kenyan communities and across Africa. The foundation focuses on empowering women to take up leadership roles in their communities, local governments, and businesses. Through training, capacity-building, mentorship, and advocacy, DASBA aims to build a generation of women leaders who can drive positive social, economic, and political change.
1. Women in Governance and Political Leadership Program·
Objective: Encourage and equip women to participate in local governance, political leadership, and decision-making processes.
· Key Activities:
o Leadership and Civic Education Workshops: DASBA will organize workshops in rural and urban communities to provide women with civic education on governance, legal rights, and leadership roles. This training will focus on how women can run for political office, participate in local government, and make their voices heard in policy discussions.
o Capacity-Building for Female Leaders: The foundation will provide in-depth leadership training for women already in or aspiring to political leadership positions. This training will cover skills such as public speaking, advocacy, negotiation, and policy formulation.
o Mentorship and Networking Programs: DASBA will connect women leaders with mentors, both locally and internationally, to provide them with guidance, support, and networking opportunities. This will help women leaders gain confidence, broaden their perspectives, and build influence in their communities.
2. Economic Leadership and Entrepreneurship for Women·
Objective: Empower women economically by providing them with the tools and skills to become successful entrepreneurs and business leaders.
· Key Activities:
o Entrepreneurship Training and Business Development: DASBA will provide comprehensive entrepreneurship training to women, especially in rural communities and urban slums. The training will cover business planning, financial literacy, marketing, and digital skills to help women start and grow their own businesses.
o Access to Microfinance and Capital: The foundation will facilitate women’s access to microfinance institutions, savings groups, and investment networks. This will enable women to secure the capital needed to start or expand their businesses and achieve economic independence.
o Women-Led Business Incubators: DASBA will support the establishment of business incubators and accelerators for women-led enterprises, providing them with the resources, mentorship, and infrastructure to scale their businesses.
o Promotion of Women in Agriculture: DASBA will provide training and support to women farmers on climate-smart agriculture, agribusiness, and access to markets, ensuring that women in rural areas can take on leadership roles in the agricultural sector.
3. Leadership in Social and Community Development·
Objective: Support women in leading community development projects that address pressing social issues, such as health, education, and environmental sustainability.
· Key Activities:o Community-Based Leadership Training: DASBA will train women on how to identify and address community needs, lead social projects, and mobilize resources. These projects will focus on areas like education, healthcare, and environmental conservation, with women leading initiatives that improve the well-being of their communities.
o Health and Education Advocacy Programs: DASBA will equip women with the tools and knowledge to advocate for better health and education services in their communities. This includes empowering women to lead campaigns for maternal and child health, access to quality education, and improved public health infrastructure.
o Climate Action Leadership by Women: The foundation will train women in rural and marginalized communities on climate action and environmental sustainability. Women will be empowered to lead initiatives that address climate change, such as reforestation, clean energy adoption, and sustainable farming practices.
4. Gender Equality and Human Rights Advocacy· Objective: Promote gender equality and human rights by empowering women to become advocates and champions for gender justice in their communities.
· Key Activities:
o Women’s Rights and Advocacy Training: DASBA will conduct training sessions to educate women on their legal rights, gender equality, and human rights advocacy. The aim is to build a strong network of women leaders who can advocate for the elimination of gender-based violence, discrimination, and harmful traditional practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
o Support for Grassroots Advocacy Groups: DASBA will support the creation and strengthening of grassroots women’s rights organizations and advocacy groups. These groups will lead efforts to push for legal and policy reforms that protect women’s rights and promote gender equality at the local and national levels.
o Media and Communication for Advocacy: The foundation will provide women leaders with media and communication training, equipping them with the skills to use social media, radio, and other platforms to amplify their advocacy work and raise awareness on gender issues.
5. Youth and Women Leadership Program·
Objective: Invest in the next generation of women leaders by creating opportunities for young women to develop their leadership skills and become change-makers in their communities.
· Key Activities:
o Leadership Camps and Workshops for Young Women: DASBA will organize leadership camps and workshops for young women in high schools, universities, and vocational training centers. These programs will focus on building confidence, critical thinking, and leadership skills, preparing young women to take on leadership roles in the future.
o Mentorship Programs for Young Women: The foundation will pair young women with mentors from different sectors, such as business, politics, and community development. These mentorship programs will help young women develop leadership qualities, set career goals, and access networking opportunities.
o Youth-Led Community Initiatives: DASBA will support youth-led community development projects, giving young women the chance to lead initiatives that address issues such as education, health, environmental conservation, and gender equality.
6. Women’s Leadership in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution·
Objective: Strengthen women’s role in peacebuilding and conflict resolution in areas affected by violence or instability.· Key Activities:
o Peacebuilding and Conflict Mediation Training: DASBA will provide women with training in peacebuilding, mediation, and conflict resolution, particularly in regions affected by conflict or ethnic tensions. This training will equip women to take leadership roles in mediating disputes and promoting peace within their communities.
o Women-Led Peace Committees: The foundation will support the formation of women-led peace committees in conflict-prone areas, empowering women to lead local peacebuilding efforts and advocate for peaceful conflict resolution.
o Advocacy for Women’s Inclusion in National Peace Processes: DASBA will work with national and regional bodies to ensure that women are included in formal peace negotiations and decision-making processes related to security and conflict resolution.
Expected Outcomes:
· Increased Participation of Women in Leadership Roles: More women in rural and urban communities will assume leadership positions in governance, politics, business, and social development.
· Enhanced Economic Empowerment of Women: Women will be economically empowered through entrepreneurship training, access to capital, and leadership in key industries like agriculture and business.
· Improved Social and Community Development: Women-led initiatives will contribute to the improvement of social services, education, health, and environmental sustainability in their communities.
· Advancement of Gender Equality and Human Rights: Women leaders will be at the forefront of advocating for gender equality and protecting human rights in their communities and at the national level.
· Youth Leadership Development: The next generation of women leaders will be nurtured, ensuring the continued advancement of gender equality and leadership in African communities.
· Women’s Role in Peacebuilding: Women will play a key role in building peace, resolving conflicts, and promoting security in conflict-affected regions. Through these transformative leadership activities, DASBA Foundation aims to create a more inclusive and equitable society where women in Kenya and across Africa can lead and contribute to sustainable development, economic empowerment, and social progress.