Sisterhood and Collective Effort on IWD 2019, Busia, Kenya

As the world celebrated International Women's Day 2019, my World Pulse sister Noel and I were locked in a final meeting with the Senior Administration team of a local University(Alupe University College) to plan for the Celebration two days later within the University in Teso South.

Our request to host the event at the University was granted.

On 9th March 2019 we held pur workshop dubbed. 'WETEC IWD workshop' #BalanceForBetter and #OurVoicesTogetherAreUnstoppable. Topics shared included, How young women can join World Pulse, Online Safety, Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and Exploring Digital Spaces for Opportunities.

My World Pulse Sisters helped designing our event banner, were panelists on the workshop where they shared their stories which positively impacted the girls forcing them share the deeply emotional stories.

This was not just a time to share on policies change but physically connect and offer each other support and love. 

The speakers shared on meaningful participation in policy formulation especially on reproductive health and digital spaces policies. The need for young women to sit at the table and collective advocacy.

The young women shared their stories, challenges and created a support group for other young women within Campus which am glad to say its functioning 16 days later after 9th March.

We used the day to highlight the issues affecting young women and how best this can be addressed through, speaking up, collective advocacy and why the joint voices are stronger and building support systems and allies with other individuals and institutions.

The students were also given tips of staying safe online from the World Pulse Digital Change Making Curriculum. Online Safety is Paramount for young women in Universities as most of them have been victims of violence in Kenya in the last few months which has often resulted to death.

As women we often need opportunities for growth and final inclusion and thus panelists shared on the importance of being present and searching Meaningful online Platforms like World Pulse, Empower Woemen and Opportunities Desk. Exploring opportunitiess in digital spaces could be life changing for women and hence the need for digital literacy.

​​​​​​Heartfelt Gratitude to My World Pulse Sisters who helped in creating the waves and made the IWD 2019 impactful in Teso South, Kenya.