In the semi-arid landscape of Kishushe, Taita Taveta County, a quiet but powerful transformation is taking root. Women survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) are rebuilding their lives and reshaping their futures through collective strength, irrigated agriculture, and solidarity.
Supported by ActionAid Kenya through Sauti Ya Wanawake Kishushe (The Voice of Women), these women are turning spaces of trauma into fields of dignity, healing, and economic independence.
For many, survival was once the only goal. Violence had left deep physical, emotional, and economic scars. Yet their experiences reflect a broader national reality. According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022, 34% of women in Kenya have experienced physical violence since the age of 15. In Taita Taveta County, the prevalence stands at 29.5%, underscoring the urgency of community-driven recovery and support systems.
Maria* (not her real name) shared how her life has changed since joining the group.
“Before, I felt invisible. I did not think I had a future,” she said. Now, the farm has become a place of renewal for her. “When I come here, I feel I am rebuilding myself with every seed I plant,” she added.
For her, that sense of healing is deeply tied to the collective strength of the group.
“We do not carry our pain alone anymore. When one of us is weak, the others hold her up. That is how we survive now, together,” she said.
In a region frequently affected by drought and climate stress, irrigated agriculture has become more than a farming method, it is a lifeline. Through the project, women have adopted irrigation systems supported by water harvesting structures such as ponds and slam dams. These structures capture and store rainwater during wet seasons, making it available for farming during dry periods. This has enabled the women to sustain vegetable production and other crops throughout the year, improving both food security and income generation. Beyond the harvest, the land itself has become a place of restoration.
The groups have also received training in financial literacy, cooperative farming, and rights awareness, tools that strengthen both their economic independence and personal agency. What is growing in Kishushe is not just crops, it is confidence, leadership, and collective voice. The women have formed strong support networks where they share experiences, mentor one another, and advocate against gender-based violence within their communities.
Their unity has become a form of resistance against stigma and silence, challenging long-standing norms that once kept many of them unheard. The transformation in Kishushe extends beyond individuals to entire households and communities. Families are beginning to recognize the benefits of women’s economic participation, while communities increasingly see survivors not as victims, but as leaders and contributors.
Faiza* (not her real name) described how the group has changed not only what women say, but what they believe is possible. She reflected on the silence they once lived under, saying,
“We used to suffer silently. Now we are speaking. We speak for ourselves, and we speak for those who cannot yet speak.”
For her, this shift goes beyond individual healing. It is reshaping families and communities as women gain confidence and economic power.
“When women regain their power, entire households change. Children are better supported, and communities become more stable,” she said. “We came here broken, but we are leaving this place strong, not alone, but together.” she added,
The journey is ongoing. Challenges remain, including climate change, limited resources, and persistent stigma. Yet the women of Kishushe continue to move forward with determination. Their journey continues, shaped by resilience, shared purpose, and the determination to build a future where women not only survive, but lead.
This initiative is supported by Irish Aid through ActionAid Ireland and is implemented in Kenya by ActionAid Kenya, Sauti Ya Wanawake (The Voice of Women), and its local partner under the Women’s Rights Programme III.
Author: Ezra Kiriago ,Communications Coordinator ActionAid Kenya.