Lodwar – 13th September, 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Kenya Chapter has launched a new initiative aimed at improving access to quality education for boys and girls in the refugee community of Turkana County.

During a stakeholder engagement meeting, FAWE presented Tuseme Innovation Strategies for Achieving Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Refugees and Internally Displaced Communities.

The three-year initiative, will adopt a research-based approach, focusing on use of gender responsive strategies to sustainably eliminate barriers to education access to the vulnerable girls.

Turkana is host to the Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Settlement schemes, with increasing cases of both host and refugee populations not accessing education due to Socio-Economic barriers challenges.

During the unpacking of the Tuseme Initiative, FAWE Kenya briefed the stakeholders on the implementation strategy, the theory of change associated with the project, stakeholders responsibilities, funding, target beneficiaries and project timelines.

The Education Regional Director for the Rift Valley, Milton M. Nzioka, reiterated the need for coordinated efforts among partners to address persistent gender based barriers hindering education access in refugee settings.

“These empowerment programs for girls and boys will enhance their self-esteem, future leadership capabilities and life skills,” Nzioka said.

Turkana is one of the 20 Counties in Kenya where FAWE-Kenya (FAWEK) implements IMARISHA MSICHANA, a program that aims at arresting drop out rates among girls, and reconnecting those who have dropped out to new opportunities to continue their education journey.

Jeanette Nyanjom, highlighted FAWEK’s previous interventions in Turkana, including the Imarisha Msichana and Rise Up Girls initiatives. She emphasized the effectiveness of the Tuseme model in addressing the challenges faced by girls and improving access to education.

Representatives affiliated to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) implementing partners, Windle Trust and Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS) were present.