Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organization (MYWO) has launched its 2025–2029 Strategic Plan to advance women’s economic empowerment, leadership, and protection of women and girls’ rights in the country.
The launch brought together government officials, development partners, civil society leaders, and grassroots women’s groups, reflecting the organization’s long-standing role as one of Kenya’s largest women-led movements with a nationwide presence.
Speaking during the event, leaders underscored the Government of Kenya’s continued commitment to improving the welfare of women through affirmative action programmes such as the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) and the Women Enterprise Fund (WEF). The programmes were cited as critical tools for expanding access to financing, supporting women-led enterprises, and strengthening women’s participation in economic development.
The Strategic Plan prioritizes strengthening women’s livelihoods, promoting inclusive leadership and governance, enhancing access to education and skills development, and improving health and social protection outcomes for women and girls. It also places strong emphasis on tackling gender-based violence (GBV), which remains a major concern across the country.
Stakeholders at the forum stressed the urgency of coordinated and multi-sectoral action to end GBV in all its forms, including the rising cases of femicide. They called for closer collaboration between government agencies, law enforcement, the judiciary, civil society, and community leaders to improve prevention, response, and survivor support systems.
“Ending gender-based violence requires collective responsibility and sustained action at all levels of society. We must move beyond condemnation to concrete interventions that protect women and hold perpetrators accountable,” one speaker noted.
Maendeleo Ya Wanawake-Kenya also reaffirmed its commitment to grassroots engagement, noting that community-level mobilization remains central to driving lasting change. Through its county and ward-level structures, the organization plans to scale up awareness campaigns, women’s economic empowerment initiatives, and advocacy efforts over the next five years.
The 2025–2029 Strategic Plan aligns with national development priorities and Kenya’s international commitments on gender equality, including the Sustainable Development Goals and regional gender frameworks. Leaders expressed optimism that the plan will strengthen partnerships and accelerate progress towards a more equitable and inclusive society.
As Kenya grapples with persistent inequalities and rising gender-based violence, the new strategy positions Maendeleo Ya Wanawake-Kenya as a key actor in shaping policies, amplifying women’s voices, and driving practical solutions that improve the lives of women and girls across the country.
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