Kenya has a land area of 580,000 km2. As of 2011, Kenya was projected to have a total population of 41,070,943, representing 42 different peoples and cultures. This estimate explicitly takes into account the effects of mortality due to AIDS, which can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected.
Kenya’s services sector, which contributes about 63 percent of GDP, is dominated by tourism.
Who is active in the country?
Chair
The current chair of the in-country network is Kenya MenEngage Alliance (KEMEA). KEMEA is a national network of non-governmental organizations, relevant government institutions, and community based organizations involved in research, interventions and social mobilization initiatives that engage boys and men in effective ways to reduce gender inequalities and promote the health of women, men and children. The network was established in 2006 following an international conference in Dares Salaam organized by the Men Engage Global Alliance.
What do they do?
KEMEA Network views gender equality as integral to its operations and for the creation of nonviolent and gender-just societies in Kenya. The network uses a rights-based approach due to the all-pervasive systemic gender discrimination and gender inequality.
The network membership includes community-based organizations, institutions, government departments and individuals working with boys and men in HIV and AIDS, Positive fatherhood, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Gender based violence (GBV) and sexual reproductive health rights (SRHR). The network has an established secretariat and a steering committee where the latter is responsible for the management of the network. The steering committee membership is drawn from the following organizations.
- Margaret Wanzuu Foundation
- National Organization of Peer Educators(NOPE)
- Movement of Men against AIDS in Kenya (MMAAK)
- Royal Media Services(RMS)
- Elizabeth Glasier Peadiatric Aids Foundation(EGPAF)
- Victorious Fatherhood Champions(VFC)
- Young Girls Empowerment Faith based Organization
- Swift Savers Faith based Organization(SS-FBO)
- ISHTAR Community Based Organization
- NYADEYO Community based organization
Some key achievements:
- Establishment of a functional National Steering Committee
- Developed a Terms of Reference for the Steering Committee
- Orientation of journalists from the main media houses in Kenya on Gender and Prevention of GBV and HIV
- Regular training workshops with men and boys for the promotion of gender equality and positive fatherhood, the prevention and mitigation of HIV and AIDS
- Developed a national strategic plan to engage men and boys for gender equality
- Holding of consultative meetings with various key partners such as the National Commission for Gender and Development & Relevant line ministries
- Hosted the Women Health and Empowerment-WHE-MATI-Training in 2015
- Participated in the development of the National Framework Towards Response and Prevention of GBV in Kenya (2009)
- Working with the National AIDS Control Council to develop the Draft National HIV and AIDS Male Engagement Guidelines.
