By Eddah Waithaka
On Tuesday, 120 representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) across Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Mali, and South Africa gather at Pride Inn Luxury Boutique in Westlands, Nairobi, for a two-day Regional Workshop on Positive Masculinity and the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Under the theme “Empowering Girls and Young Women for Transformative Leadership by Fighting GBV and Addressing Toxic Masculinity,” the workshop brings together youth advocates, policymakers, gender experts, and male allies to tackle the root causes of GBV and develop actionable solutions.
Participants will engage in a series of interactive sessions, panel discussions, and strategy-building dialogues aimed at challenging toxic masculinity and promoting gender-transformative change, while also strengthening leadership and advocacy for girls and young women.
The agenda includes efforts to combat online child sexual exploitation and enhance digital safety, as well as a concerted push for the ratification of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG).
Through collaborative discourse and actionable strategies, attendees will contribute to creating a safer, more equitable environment for all.
Government and Partners Commit to Action
Deputy Governor Mathew Willie emphasized Kenya’s commitment to ending GBV, “Gender-based violence remains a critical issue in Kenya and across Africa. Today, we unite—government, policymakers, and civil society—to drive change. We must instill positive masculinity in our youth to create safer spaces for women and girls. The internet also poses new threats, and we must act decisively to protect our children online.”
A Collaborative Effort for Change
The workshop, organized by ECPAT International and the Kenya Alliance for Advancement of Children (KAACR) in partnership with UN Women, Plan International, FEMNET, ACHJGA, and Equality Now, is part of the She Leads Programme—a pan-African initiative amplifying girls’ voices and advancing systemic change.
Read More Stories At: https://africawatchnews.co.ke/
