Gender-based violence (GBV) has robbed the majority of women of happy and healthy lives. In some cases, societies cover up the incidences of violence against women with the reasoning of protecting a family’s reputation. In other cases, women choose to keep the terror they go through a secret to protect their families and the reputation of their husbands.
Victims of gender-based violence in Kilifi County in Kenya are experiencing an uplifting sense of hope and empowerment after the Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW), in collaboration with the Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development (CCGD) and Groots Kenya, established Jasiri Fund.
Jasiri Fund, under the Jasiri programme, is a women’s fund that provides financial support to 1,000 victims of gender-based violence that include including women, youths, and persons living with disabilities. The fund aims at economically empowering and improving the livelihoods of gender-based violence survivors.
Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW) says Jasiri Fund’s target is to enhance women’s socio-economic resilience in a sustainable manner.
Under the fund, approximately KES 47 million has been disbursed to 1,063 women. The organizations that established this fund has consistently been offering business management and entrepreneurship training to Kilifi women.
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752 women-owned enterprises have been financially supported by this fund. Because of this initiative, 488 women and youth are now generating over KES 300,000 semi-annually. Additionally, 421 women have acquired assets, enabling them to generate increased revenue.
“Access to information and business skills remain major challenges for women survivors of GBV. Providing training in financial literacy and life skills is crucial for efficient utilization of financial services and products,” Moses Okello, the Women Economic Empowerment Lead at CREAW, said.
“We are responding to challenges that the victims of gender-based violence go through through training. With the right training, they are able to revive their businesses, acquire productive assets, and save for their future plans,” Okello added.
654 survivors who have benefited from the Jasiri Fund, there has been a notable reduction in domestic violence cases. Furthermore, 699 survivors of GBV have experienced an improvement in decision-making within their households.
“We have learnt that when women are empowered, they are able to depend on themselves and get away from the so-called perpetrators. Going back to the same perpetrators for financial support makes them more vulnerable, and that is what we are addressing,” Moses Okello explained.
Prislar, a beneficiary of Jasiri Fund, said she had differences with her husband over lack of food. She said Jasiri Fund empowered her financially.“I have to go back home after the differences. Jasiri Fund helped me to invest and be financially stable, and to take care of myself.
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Mumna Alaso, another beneficiary of Jasiri Fund, explained that she lost her shop business due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My financial status wasn’t good. “When I got help from Jasiri Fund, I opened an outside catering business. I have been able to run the business successfully. I can network and connect with people, and in the end, get business opportunities. This motivated me to continue with life,” Alaso narrated.
The Jasiri programme training model offers a comprehensive approach that involves the identification of survivors, provision of support services, entrepreneurship, and business management training, business loans, business development support, and mentorship. Participants graduate from the programme’s training with access to other financing options as their businesses continue to grow.
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