gender at work-supporting a global workplace

As a transnational feminist network, we believe in addressing deep structures and social norms within organizations and society and strive to build cultures of equality, inclusion, and peace. The perpetual fight for social change and justice requires a continuous effort, especially in trying times like these. To respond responsibly to these abrupt and unpredictable changes will require adjustments in the way we do our work, and the way we support our staff, associates, consultants as well as our partners.

Episode 13: Insubordinate Leadership

We are living in a time, which adrienne marie brown describes as apocalyptic – a time that demands that we draw our imagination to think beyond what is politically possible, which she says is “simply not enough”. What does feminist leadership look like in such times?

Jatou’s Story

As a change team on School Related Gender Based Violence (SRGBV) we wanted an environment free from SRGBV in all forms and settings to guarantee the full participation of all, especially of women and young people. Our first responsibility now was to give Jatou counselling and empathise with her. 

Gone Are The Days When SRGBV Went Unnoticed

I believed that women were supposed to sit on mats while stools and chairs were for men. As a young boy, I started imitating what I was observing and I used to refuse to sit on a mat. Whenever I was told to go and put firewood in the cooking stones, I would do it hesitantly because I knew it was the work of women and girls.

Teacher Advocacy Is A Key To Creating A Safe Learning Environment for All

The SRGBV initiative had helped me to find my voice again. This learning space helped me and other teachers to reject acts that seek to dehumanize me or others. I hope that as I continue to advocate against SRGBV I will activate many more activists to find their voices. I believe that when the voices of activists come together the vicious cycle of SRGBV will be broken and schools will be free from SRGBV.

The Power of Words in Fighting SRGBV

He walked in with a cane and with just that gesture, the class fell silent. His presence was not only intimidating but also somewhat unsettling. The way he looked at us through his glasses, one felt as if he could see right through your soul and know exactly what you were thinking about him. He seemed to like the fact that we all seemed scared of him.

The death of a class monitor

Peter was a class monitor. He was a very intelligent boy who always came first in his class. He was always punctual and dressed neatly in his grey school uniform which was always clean, as compared to children of his age who always soiled their uniforms with earth.

The story of an SRGBV Victim, Perpetrator and Change Agent…

We shared our experiences as 25 branch women representatives from the Rift Valley Region. Women shared examples of abusive language, sexual abuse and discrimination among other forms of SRGBV. This moment marked my turning point in starting to look back and reflect on how I had been treating learners in school. I discovered that I had unconsciously been a perpetrator of SRGBV.

The Death Sentence of Being a Girl Child

One sudden day, while together on the bed, my wife said to me that it’s now time to circumcise our girls. I was so shocked to hear her utter such words. I told her never to utter those words again. Then she started to cry and make all kinds of noise. I just couldn’t sleep because I wasn’t expecting it from her, but I was ready for the challenge.