gender democracy

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.

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.

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.

Through evocative installations and community engagement, Maskan Tour, done in collaboration with Usikimyie and Creative Garage, turns abstract statistics on femicide and policy failures into visceral, human stories that demand accountability. Explore how this unique exhibition bridges the gap between written policy and lived experience, sparking public dialogue and driving real change in the fight for justice.

Discourse on sexual and gender minorities’ rights is often flooded with misinformation, particularly from its critics. This is evident through the perpetuation of misleading narratives, such as the description of queerness as going against African culture

Grassroots advocacy is not just a strategy; it is a necessity. This time, we took the discussion to Kwale County, where cultural norms, economic hardship, and systemic gaps converge to fuel gender-based violence (GBV). For urgent action, the most effective and sustainable change must come from within the community itself.

In March, the world marked International Women's Day 2025 under the banner #AccelerateAction. Kenya is pivotal in its journey toward gender democracy, but several strides on gender justice and equality remain a mirage.  Heinrich Boell Foundation, Nairobi took stock of its work in partnership with several grassroots and national organizations to spotlight the ongoing struggle through a powerful documentary titled "Feminist Resilience: What Does it mean for Justice and Democracy?" amid global crises, shrinking civic space, and shifting funding priorities.

On July 25th, 2024, the Heinrich Böll Foundation in partnership with the Young Women's Leadership Institute (YWLI) hosted a pivotal Gender Forum at the Heinrich Böll Foundation's Nairobi office to raise raising awareness about femicide in Kenya

On May 17, 2024, INEND celebrated the groundbreaking of their Forever Home in Shanzu, Mombasa. This new centre symbolises a brighter, more inclusive future for the LGBTQ community. As a long-serving partner at Heinrich Boell Foundation, Nairobi, we were honoured to be part of this significant milestone

A few weeks ago, we organized the inaugural Gender Forum to coincide with International Women's Month. In collaboration with Aduda Hera, a talented actress, producer, and filmmaker, we screened the poignant short film "Shee." This film delves into the intricacies of love, trust, and communication within a same-sex relationship. Aduda, the creative force behind the film, shared her motivations and insights into sparking meaningful conversations beyond mere storytelling.

“Feminism in Pictures” is the result of a collaboration with seven incredible feminist illustrators from Brazil, Iran, India, Georgia, Pakistan, Turkiye, and Kenya for the Global Feminist Pitch 2023. These graphic novels are evidence of the continuing streams of feminist resistance and resilience in diverse global contexts.

Only 24% representation in national politics, less than 10% as student body presidents. Badili Africa, in collaboration with Heinrich Boll Foundation, tackles this gap, focusing on sexual harassment's role in hindering female leadership. Their partnership with JKUAT aims to revamp sexual harassment policies, shedding light on gaps and proposing solutions. From dissecting SGBV terminology to addressing emerging e-violence, they navigate complexities, emphasizing consent's paramount role. The call to action includes holistic awareness campaigns, annual training, gender desks, investigation committees, and supporting victims in creating safe spaces.

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.

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. 

Social justice is getting more complex as injustices keep emerging and the world develops. This is in comparison to the 19th century, during the civil revolution where social justice only aimed to create more egalitarian societies and capitalised exploitation of human labour.

Domestic workers enter the sphere of private lives of others, where they perform essential care work in conditions that are mostly unregulated and hidden from public view. In the process, they tend to face inhumane treatment. The disturbing part is that this abuse is normalised and accepted by a society that sympathises with the ‘discomfort of  wealthy and middle-class people who experience ‘intruding witnesses’ in their homes.  

More often than not, sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) is perceived to only happen in homes, communities and places of work. One would never imagine that SGBV also occurs in institutions of higher learning. Where the safety of students is imagined to be a given responsibility of the institutions themselves. Universities are increasingly now becoming breeding grounds for perpetuators of SGBV, preying especially on young women. Worse still for young women seeking student leadership.

Uganda is a predominantly patriarchal society and socioeconomic, political and cultural power are generally held by men. Although the system is slowly changing with girls and women taking up positions of power, the patriarchal systems that oppress women continue to live on.   

In the months of July and August, Senegal and Kenya will hold their general elections. However, the big question remains: Where do Senegalese and Kenyan women stand on their quest to parliamentary mandates and political offices?

In East Africa, politics and the church propagate the idea that homosexuality is "un-African". In order to maintain their own power. However, queer life and love has always existed in Uganda. Homophobia, on the contrary, can be called a colonial import. We spoke with Ssenfuka Joanita Warry about queer activism in Uganda and why she takes every opportunity, she can to speak out and fight misconceptions about homosexuality.