Replicating Strategies that Worked for Women in the 2010 Constitution-Making Process in Networking and Alliance Building for Women’s Economic Empowerment (NABWEE)

Abstract

The Networking and Alliance Building for Women’s Economic Empowerment (NABWEE) Project of the University of Nairobi, African Women Studies Centre, Women Economic Empowerment Hub (UoN-AWSC WEE Hub) under cluster 4 Project 2 (C4P2) seeks to evaluate what works in networking and alliance building by replicating the strategies that worked for women during the Constitution making process (1990-2010). The women’s movement has made remarkable progress, culminating in gains in the 2010 Constitution of Kenya. Owing to this, the WEE Hub decided to replicate the strategies that worked for women during the Constitution-making process to influence policies, regulations, and programs both at the national and county levels through the NABWEE. The NABWEE Project, therefore, aims to evaluate what works in networking and alliance building for WEE by utilizing best practices for women’s self-mobilization in influencing policies, programs, and regulations for WEE. By building a network of women leaders, women entrepreneurs, and women’s rights advocates, NABWEE aims to create a space where women can use evidence generated through research to self-advocate for WEE. The Project’s purpose is to galvanize the creation of networks of women’s organizations and women’s entrepreneurs to promote a shared understanding of issues affecting Women’s Economic Empowerment and the strategies that work for the full realization of women’s economic rights, and leverage on strengthening synergies among policies and programmes that target women. The Alliance aims to contribute in promoting mutual support and accountability towards ensuring that women entrepreneurs tap into the available opportunities within the local and international markets. Using the research conducted by the UoN-AWSC WEE Hub on strategies that work for women’s self-mobilization for WEE, NABWEE aims to support women entrepreneurs and women’s organizations in mobilizing and advocating for Women’s Economic Empowerment. The NABWEE Project was launched in collaboration with CRAWN Trust in February 2022, following the development of the project design, concept, and work plan in 2021. The Project aims to support the establishment and sustainability of women’s networks in Kenya. These networks are important vehicles for women’s self-advocacy; hence, NABWEE seeks to support self-advocacy by women.