Sex and reproductive health rights collaboration

KEFEADO recently hosted Hivos and Simavi partners in Kenya in Kisumu on 26 th September 2008. The meeting brought in Young Women Leadership Institute, Centre for Adolescent and Reproductive Rights, Women and Child Features, Amref – Maanisha and Kenya Female Advisory Organization.

The meeting was on plans for collaboration among the organizations of reference above on “sex and reproductive Health rights programme for western Kenya Region. The facilitators for this meeting were the Programme Officers from Hivos Ms. Marijke Mooij and Sofia Van der Wardt from Simavi.

Preliminary work on the programme development is underway. The organizations which participated are currently working on preparatory stages.

Rite of Being Project (Prevention of FGM in Mt. Elgon District)

1 st Annual Convention supported by HIVOS

KEFEADO is preparing to hold the first Annual convention on the Rite of Being Project in Mt. Elgon District.

This big event will be held from 22 nd to 23 rd October at the County Hall Kapsokwony town. The convention will bring in 64 girls and boys and about 120 adults in various leadership and from different government sectors.

The focus of the convention is to celebrate the alternative Rite of Passage for girls “taking education on reproductive health rights and academic advancement as means of socially advancing the status of girls while academically connecting them with other parts of the world.”

Women role models from the Sabaot community who did not undergo FGM will present papers during the two days.

WE CAN Campaign Launch 27/11/08 – supported by Oxfam Netherland and Oxfam GB

KEFEADO is a focal organization in WE CAN CAMPAIGN in Nyanza province. The launch of the campaign in Kenya will take place at the KICC – Nairobi on 27/1108. the organization is currently identifying change makers from the region who will participate at the launch. The number representing Nyanza will range from 50- 65 women and men participants.

Gender Forums for Kisumu and its Environs

KEFEADO is making very good progress on this project which started in April 2008 with the support from Heinrich Boll Foundation. The 6 th and 7 th sessions were gender specific bringing in men only and women only sessions.

These sessions were meant to help turn around the feminity and masculinity attitudes and attributes which has made Nyanza men and women vulnerable and have created the vacuum existing in women's political leadership. The radio sessions which usually follow each discussion are interactive and very encouraging.

The next two sessions will take place on 15 th October 2008 coinciding with the World Rural Women's Day followed by the 30 th October 2008. For more information contact us at info@kefeado.co.ke or kefeado@swiftkisumu.com . More updates later.