Kenya has one of the most progressive Constitutions, which provides a bold framework to increase women’s political participation, ensure their economic empowerment and protect their inherent rights and freedoms as equal members of the society. Yet, ten years after the adoption of the 2010 Constitution, the promise of the Katiba remains aspirational. Women continue to be under-represented in political offices, in senior management positions in the civil service, as well as the private sector. Gender based violence, including negative cultural practices such as FGM and child marriage, continue to persist at an alarming rate.  Despite the global recognition that gender equality is good for economic growth and essential for poverty reduction, not enough effort has been put to achieve this goal. 

The Akombe Foundation is committed to promoting gender equality and expanding economic opportunities for women. All its activities are anchored on this overall goal and motivated by the need to ensure inclusive gender policies in all its work. This means that in the priority projects of the Foundation: education; healthcare; youth empowerment; mentorship; water and xxx, a gender lens is applied consistently. Specific projects focusing on the economic empowerment of women especially those based at the community level, will be developed.