GiEM’s Nairobi Workshop
Article by:
Patricia Kwamboka
“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” – Charlene Carruthers
The Gender in Education Movement (giem) took a pivotal step forward on 24th to 25th April 2025 with a two-day workshop in Nairobi, uniting 27 advocates, NGOs, and experts to strategize on dismantling systemic barriers to girls’ education in Kenya. Here’s what you need to know:
- Why Movements Matter: Movements are not just protests—they are organized, sustained efforts to drive social change. From the historic Women’s Suffrage Movement to Kenya’s recent Gen Z activism, movements thrive on shared vision, grassroots mobilization, and strategic partnerships. GiEM, identified as a reformative movement, aims to transform Kenya’s education system by tackling gender disparities in access, retention, and safety for girls.
Key Insight: “A movement’s success hinges on clarity of purpose, disciplined action, and the ability to inspire collective ownership.”
- Lessons from Success & Failure: The workshop analysed global and local movements like FAWE (Forum for African Women Educationalists) and CAMFED (Campaign for Female Education), highlighting critical drivers:
- Evidence-based advocacy: Using data to influence policy (e.g., tracking education budgets).
- Grassroots leadership: Engaging communities to shift cultural norms (e.g., menstrual hygiene stigma).
- Flexibility: Adapting strategies to bridge generational gaps in activism.
Case Study: Kenya’s Gen Z protests (2024) faltered due to unclear leadership and communication. giem aims to avoid these pitfalls by fostering structured, inclusive governance.
