Tears of Women, Kenya
Background
Tears of Women Organization was formed in 1998 chartered by the Republic of Kenya under the vast Ministry of Gender and social services. Its vision is to ensure that the rights of women are promoted, realized and protected in order to enable them to enjoy fully all their human rights.
The focus on women’s capacity building, originated from a need to tackle cross-cutting issues like illiteracy, poverty, early motherhood, prostitution, drug abuse and gender violence. The goal is to turn around this situation and make women participate fully in the development of their livelihood assets. Tears of Women thus addresses issues such as education, HIV/AIDS, gender advocacy, conflict resolution, Human Rights and governance.
Having faced the direct brunt of war, conflicts and other forms of violence women are direct victims of post election violence in Kenya. Tears of Women has been instrumental in negotiating with warring tribes and parties to restore peace and harmony within the communities. The organization has been in the forefront in enhancing the role of women in peace building, including organizing forums for sharing experiences of the violence suffered as well as cross learning. The work of TOW is concentrated in the Mt. Elgon and North Rift Regions at large.
Mission: The mission of Tears of Women is to empower women against discriminative practices and integrate them socially and economically to enhance their standard of living.
Realizing that women in Kenya are still not sufficiently represented in the formal peace making process, conflict resolution and mitigation processes.
Recognizing that Kenya is signatory to the UN charter and consequently the United Nation’s Security Council Resolution 1325 and 1820, the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW) 1979.
Cognizant of the fact that there are deliberate processes of reform around the constitution, land ownership and distribution, the electoral system, truth justice and reconciliation. Aware of the existence of discriminatory laws and plans such as the indemnity act that will be an obstacle to the process of truth, justice and reconciliation (Kenya) and peace.
Accomplishments:
Since its inception in 1998 the NGO has been involved has accomplished the following:
- Awareness raising on the spread of HIV/AIDS, dangers of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM);
- Women’s empowerment – leadership skills and awareness of women’s human rights through civic education;
- Calling upon the government to develop a national action plans for the implementation and/or monitoring of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and 1820, including budget allocation. (Re-affirming and renewing our community’s participation in peace building pre- and post conflict and spearheading awareness on the importance on UNSCR 1325 and 1820);
- Visiting IDPs and providing moral support, including calling upon the government to ensure that those affected are re-located to places of safety;
- Recording statements from victims of gross human rights violation from independence (1963) to 2008, including providing counseling; and
- Civic education specifically to women on their gains in the new constitution.
The organization has built strong links and prides in its healthy and cordial relations with grassroots associations, women’s groups and institutions with whom the organization works with in its efforts to promote, empower and develop the women and entire communities both socially and economically.
Contact:
Trans-Nzoia Teachers Enterprise Building
Moi street; P.O Box 1217; Kitale 30200; Kenya
Tel: +254 054 30182/ cell: 0722-785353/778179/792498/766894
E-mail: tearsofwomenorganization@yahoo.com
