In a significant stride towards advancing women’s economic empowerment and reshaping societal norms, the Association of Women in Agriculture Kenya (AWAK) recently attended the We-Care Phase 5.1 inception workshop. The intensive two-day session, hosted in collaboration with implementing partners Youth Alive! Kenya and funded by Oxfam in Kenya, aimed at fortifying the impact of the Women’s Economic Empowerment and Care (WE-Care) program.

Launched in 2013, WE-Care stands as Oxfam’s flagship initiative, dedicated to enhancing women’s and girls’ participation in social, economic, and political life. The program focuses on transforming the perception and treatment of Unpaid Care and Domestic Work (UCDW), ensuring its recognition, reduction, redistribution, and representation in public policy and society.

During the workshop, AWAK identified key areas for collaboration within phase 5, focusing on advocacy, agency, and economic empowerment. The discussions centered around enhancing the impact of WE-Care in these critical areas, thereby contributing to the broader goal of creating a more inclusive and equitable society.

Excitingly, AWAK announced its plans to expand the reach of WE-Care Phase 5.1 to four new counties. Following the successful implementation of ‘We Care Phase 4’ in Kitui County, the organization is poised to apply the valuable insights gained and scale up the program in Makueni, Taita Taveta, Tharaka Nithi, and Mombasa County.