Gender Justice

The Gender Component contributes to the transformation of gender relations in Kenya and the region in order to realize human rights for all members of society. Our main focus areas enhance women’s effective political participation in Kenya, challenge patriarchy and democratic rollback in the region from a feminist perspective, and amplify gender and sexual minority rights through regional networking, learning processes, capacity building, awareness creation, research and documentation of experiences of women leaders. The programme also builds knowledge and facilitates discourse on gender diversity.

Recent articles
Ciru Muriuki and Ian Wafula at the Sauti Session on TFGBV

"It had reached crisis levels. We had to do something about it": Confronting Tech-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence in Kenya

Interview feature.
Following that impactful edition, with Sauti Session on, tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), we sat down with Wafula to discuss the inspiration behind Sauti Sessions, why this partnership was so pivotal, and what he hopes will be the lasting impact of bringing survivors, experts, and citizens together to confront one of the most pervasive forms of abuse today. This is what he had to say.
Faiba Kombo
Sauti Session, Offline wounds

Offline Wounds: A Sauti Session Dialogue on Confronting Digital Violence

Article
hbs recently partnered with Sauti Sessions and Baraza Media Lab to spotlight the growing crisis of Technologically Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) in Kenya. Though it happens online, its impacts are deeply offline, fueling harm, trauma, and in some cases escalating to femicide. As the world marks the 2025 16 Days of Activism under the theme “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” the dialogue underscored the urgent need for stronger protections and safer digital spaces for women and girls.
All articles on gender justice
Recent Publications
MASKAN II_ Handbook

MASKAN II: Remembering the Women and Children Behind the Statistics

The Maskan II exhibition is accompanied by a handbook that provides context for the work, guiding audiences through the stories, themes and artistic choices behind each installation. It documents the thinking behind the artworks while helping audiences engage more deeply with the wider social and institutional conditions surrounding femicide and the disappearance of children in Kenya. At its heart, the handbook seeks to ensure that those affected are remembered as people — with names, relationships, dreams and unfinished futures — rather than reduced to statistics or headlines.
She Did Not Die by Accident _6852.

She Did Not Die by Accident

Report
At least 220 women and girls were killed in Kenya in 2025, most by people they trusted, and often after seeking help. The Femicide Report 2025 shows that these deaths were not accidents but the result of ignored warning signs, social silence, and systemic failure. Ending femicide requires naming it, tracking it, and acting decisively to protect women before violence becomes fatal.
: Decentralization and inclusion in Kenya: From pre-colonial times to the first decade of devolution.

Decentralization and inclusion in Kenya

Publication
Kabarak University and Heinrich Boell Foundation published a book dubbed “Decentralisation and inclusion in Kenya: From pre-colonial times to the first decade of devolution”. The publication is a result of a research that evaluated the first era of devolution (2012 – 2022). The critical focus on devolution and its impact on minority groups.
Perspectives

Perspectives #01/2021: African Feminisms Across Generations

New Publication
This special edition of Perspectives reflects on, analyzes and documents the evolution of African feminisms and feminist action that African activists have taken up to address both old as well as persistent and new threats to women’s rights and gender justice. It also reflects on lessons learned from African feminist practices for current and future generations across the region.
All publication on gender democracy

Our Programs

Gender Democratic Change

Challenging Patriarchy

Sexual and Gender Minority Rights

Challenging Patriarchy

How much more do we have to do?

Article
The consequences of patriarchy ripple  through all levels and corners of society. We are aware of the consequences and unaware of others. Patriarchy is defined as a social or political system that has chosen to identify men as superior to women. This enables an unjust system that promotes violence against the latter gender in all spaces, be it at home, the workplace, streets, online or even inside religions. Patriarchy serves men with toxic entitlement towards women. 
Reshaping Narratives Media Engagement Strategies for LGBTIQ+ Persons in Kenya

Reshaping Narratives : Media Engagement Strategies for LGBTIQ+ Persons in Kenya

Article
The Heinrich Böll Foundation (hbs) Nairobi, in partnership with the Initiative for Equality and Non-Discrimination (INEND), has released a new publication titled Reshaping Narratives: Media Engagement Strategies for LGBTIQ+ Persons in Kenya. The report examines how the Kenyan media portrays sexual and gender minorities and explores practical strategies for fostering more inclusive, accurate, and ethical reporting. By combining community insights, journalist perspectives, and media analysis, the study highlights both the progress made and the ongoing challenges in ensuring fair representation, dignity, and equality for LGBTIQ+ persons in Kenya.

Unmothering the Woman

The "Unmothering the Mother" series on Motherhood and Mothering aims to dismantle mothering stereotypes through storytelling and open discourse with members of the Kenyan public - and women in particular to increase their awareness of mothering and motherhood and overcome related stereotypes. 

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