GENDER JUSTICE PROGRAMME
Gender Justice can be defined as full equality and equity between women and men in all spheres of life, resulting in women having equal rights and opportunities, and being treated on an equal basis with men. It outlines and shapes policies, structures, and decisions that affect their lives and society as a whole. Kenya has ratified international instruments that oblige the state to protect women from and respond to gender-based violence as a form of discrimination against women. These instruments include the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights – Article 18(3), and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (The Maputo Protocol). Articles 27(1), (2), and (3) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 provide for equality and freedom from discrimination.
Despite these guarantees, achieving gender equality in Kenya has remained elusive for over 30 years since the girl-child became a prominent focus of the global development agenda. Women and girls facing adversity are especially disadvantaged. For this reason, the Gender Justice Programme aims to build a society where both men and women enjoy equal rights and opportunities across all sectors, including meaningful participation and decision-making, using a human rights-based approach.
The programme will focus on the following sub-thematic areas, namely:
- The intersecting issues of gender norms, gender inequality, and gender-based violence in Kenya
- Strengthen the participation of women in governance and decision-making
- Monitor the implementation of gender responsive polices, laws, and budgets
