ActionAid Kenya continues to advance the Gender Transformative Approach (GTA), a powerful strategy that fosters survivor-centered change at personal, collective, cultural, and structural levels. The organization’s unwavering commitment to economically empowering women and amplifying their voices is helping to create lasting impact and sustainability across communities in Kenya.
One shining example of this success is the Sauti Ya Wanawake Paranga group, a women-led initiative focused on chick-hatching that has proven to be a game-changer for economic empowerment and community resilience. The group, located in Paranga, has taken on the task of hatching day-old chicks and raising them to maturity, creating a sustainable source of income for its members, and transforming women’s livelihoods.
Through this initiative, the group has not only empowered its members economically but has also helped to build a sense of collective responsibility and unity, with women working together to strengthen their community. This has helped to break down the barriers women often face in accessing economic opportunities and has contributed to a significant shift in gender dynamics in the area.
Rozinah Chakua from the Sauti Ya Wanawake Paranga initiative shares,
“Before this project, life was challenging, and our economic opportunities were limited. Now, we can support our families, save for the future, and produce more chicks for sale thanks to the solar-powered incubator. It has given us the confidence to dream bigger and work towards a brighter future.”
ActionAid Kenya’s partnership with the Climate Smart Project was instrumental in providing the necessary incubator for the group’s chick-hatching operations. However, ActionAid Kenya took it a step further by integrating solar power into the incubator system. This eco-friendly solution ensures that the group’s operations remain sustainable, reducing their environmental footprint while contributing to long-term social resilience.
“By integrating gender-transformative strategies with innovative solutions like solar-powered incubators, we are not only transforming the lives of women in Paranga but also creating a ripple effect that will empower future generations. These women are leading the way in sustainable economic practices, and their success demonstrates the power of local solutions,” explains Pauline Atieno, ActionAid Kenya’s Local Rights Programme Coordinator for Kishushe, Taita Taveta County.
Through projects like the Sauti Ya Wanawake Paranga initiative, ActionAid Kenya reaffirms its commitment to gender equality, women’s empowerment, and sustainable development. The group’s success is a testament to the power of women’s leadership and the effectiveness of integrating gender-transformative strategies with innovative solutions to address climate change.
This project exemplifies how economic empowerment and environmental sustainability go hand-in-hand. The Sauti Ya Wanawake Paranga group not only contributes to local economies by selling chicks and poultry products but also supports environmental resilience by adopting climate-smart, sustainable practices. The integration of solar energy into the incubator system demonstrates a holistic approach that benefits both the women involved and the environment.
ActionAid Kenya remains steadfast in its mission to empower women through gender-transformative approaches that promote lasting change. By focusing on economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, and social resilience, ActionAid Kenya is not only improving the lives of women but also contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable future for all.
Through initiatives like Sauti Ya Wanawake Paranga and the broader work of ActionAid Kenya, the organization is helping women rise above the challenges they face, creating sustainable economic opportunities, and fostering a culture of gender equality and empowerment.
Author: Ezra Kiriago ,Communications Coordinator ActionAid Kenya.