The Enkang’ Model for Gender Equality and Climate Resilience
A NEW DAWN UNVEILED!; Official Launch of Enkang’ Village
Where Gender Equality Meets Climate Resilience
Under clear skies and with hearts full of hope, SASAL proudly launched the Enkang’ Village, a groundbreaking model community designed to advance gender equality, climate resilience, and sustainable living.
This vibrant celebration marked a historic moment, not only for the local community but for the broader movement toward inclusive, grassroots-led transformation. The launch ceremony brought together a rich tapestry of guests and stakeholders: representatives from the County Government, National Government, fellow NGOs, well-wishers, artists, and hundreds of community members—all gathered in unity and purpose.
Now brought to life through collective action, the Enkang’ Village stands as a beacon of hope—with 63 households committed to new, inclusive practices, led by a dynamic 11-member community committee and fueled by training, mindset change, and determination.
A Celebration of Identity, Purpose & Progress
The launch wasn’t just a ceremony—it was a cultural and emotional celebration of resilience, renewal, and reimagined futures.
- Keynote speeches from local and national leaders highlighted the village’s potential to become a replicable model across the country.
- Representatives from partner NGOs and institutions shared inspiring messages of solidarity and future collaboration.
- Community members shared powerful testimonies about their journey of transformation and what the Enkang’ vision means to them.
Art, Culture & Climate Justice in Harmony
One of the most unforgettable highlights of the day was the performance by none other than SASAL’s Climate Justice Ambassador, Leshao Leshao. His electrifying set—infused with messages of justice, unity, and environmental stewardship—had the entire crowd on their feet.
Leshao Leshao’s music brought rhythm to the mission, echoing the heartbeat of a movement rooted in dignity and purpose. Local artists also performed, blending traditional and modern expressions that told the story of Enkang in ways words alone could not.
Why the Launch Matters
The Enkang’ Village launch was more than a celebration—it was an invitation to the world:
To witness a community-led solution in action
To support grassroots champions of climate and gender justice
To replicate a model that puts people, planet, and progress at the center
The event amplified awareness of the Enkang’ model, sparking fresh conversations and opening doors for wider acceptance, support, and scale-up—both locally and nationally.
Together, we’re not just building a village.
We’re building a future—equitable, resilient, and community-owned.
SKILLS TRAINING; Empowering Women for a Resilient future.
This training is a critical part of our holistic approach, rooted in the Enkang’ model’s core belief that real, lasting change starts with early adopters—individuals and households willing to embrace new ways of living and leading. These early adopters, particularly women, are being empowered not just as participants, but as pioneers and change makers for their communities.
Despite the challenge of not having a formal classroom space, the spirit and determination of the women in Enkang’ Village are truly remarkable. With incredible resilience, they are showing up, stepping forward, and choosing to lead through learning.
The training began with Foundational Modules designed to equip women with the mindset and tools necessary for sustainable economic empowerment. These sessions include:
- Business Skills Development: Covering the basics of entrepreneurship, financial literacy, savings, and market awareness.
- Mindset Shifts: Encouraging participants to break away from limiting beliefs and embrace their potential as leaders and entrepreneurs.
- Attitude and Behavior Change: Fostering confidence, self-reliance, and collective responsibility, essential traits for long-term success.
This initial phase sets the foundation for more specialized, skills-based training to follow—ranging from sustainable agriculture and eco-enterprise development to digital literacy and cooperative formation.
Building Resilience, One Woman at a Time
At SASAL, we know that empowering women is at the heart of sustainable development. By investing in their knowledge, skills, and leadership, we are laying the groundwork for stronger households, cohesive communities, and a resilient future.
As training progresses, these women will not only transform their own lives, but also become role models for others—spreading the values of equality, sustainability, and shared progress throughout the region.
ENKANG’ MODEL;Enkang’ Village Committee Meeting, on Implementation
In a significant step toward fostering gender equality and climate resilience, committee members convened official Enkang Committee Meeting to deliberate on the implementation of the ‘Enkang’ Village Model.
The meeting and subsequent ones will be focusing on laying the foundation for this innovative model that reimagines sustainable living through a gender-equal lens.
The Enkang’ Village is a bold, community-centered response to the intertwined challenges of gender inequality and climate change, particularly in regions with deeply rooted patriarchal traditions. Designed as a living example of what inclusive, sustainable communities can achieve, the model centers on values of equality, accountability, and environmental stewardship.
The Enkang Committee’s inaugural meetings will mark a powerful milestone—signaling the community’s readiness to not only embrace change, but to lead it. The discussions were rich with optimism, rooted in shared responsibility, and aligned with a vision for a more inclusive and resilient future.
As implementation begins, the committee will continue to meet regularly to guide development and ensure the village remains true to its mission. The model’s success lies not only in its design but in the hearts and actions of those who shape it.
ENKANG’ MODEL: Introducing the Committee in charge of Enkang’ model Implementation and a brief introduction of the Concept
The Enkang’ Village Model: A Sustainable, Gender-Equal Community
The ‘Enkang’ Village’ model is a transformative approach to fostering gender equality and climate resilience in communities with deeply rooted patriarchal structures. This sustainable village will be strategically located in areas where gender inequality is prevalent, offering a holistic solution to both social and environmental challenges.
The model is built on the belief that true change requires willingness and drive. It will engage only those community members who are ready to abandon harmful practices and embrace gender-equal and sustainable ways of living. These early adopters will act as role models, inspiring others to join the movement and shift toward more inclusive and sustainable practices.
Key features of the Enkang’ model include:
– Community-Driven: The village will be community-owned, led, and run, with guidance and resources provided by SASAL.
– Inclusivity: The village will be designed to accommodate diverse households, including female-headed, male-headed, and those with members living with disabilities.
– Leadership: A committee of local leaders, including government representatives, religious and women’s leaders, will guide the village’s development.
– 63 Households: The village will initially settle 63 households, all of whom are committed to embracing the new practices.
By focusing on gender equality and sustainability, the Enkang’ Village model provides a scalable and community-centered approach to addressing both climate change and gender inequality.
To kickstart the Implementation, We started by engaging the community to get their consent and provision of land where the model is to be built.As a result a committee of 10 members was formed that will oversee the implemetation of the model. The eleven member committee drawn from all sections of the community are shown from the slides becide.
Addressing gender based violence (GBV) and climate vulnerability in Musenke village, Kajiado county, Kenya.
Sasal has been on the forefront in the fight against gender based violence (GBV). Through extensive research in musenke , kajiado county, we have established the root cause for GBV in musenke community are ;
- Harmful cultural practices
- Deep patriarchal structures
- Lack of access to basic resources such as water
- Poverty
We shared the research findings with key stakeholders within the community to get their ideas of a potential solution. With all the consultation and engagements, a model solution was reached at.
The “Enkang’ model for gender equality & climate resilience by SASAL”
The Enkang’ model utilizes the untapped strength & opportunity of this community i.e. land & a river. It also recognizes the importance of willingness & drive to change hence will only encompass people from this community that are willing to let go of harmful practices & embrace new, gender equal & sustainable ways that will not only ensure all genders thrive but rather the community adapting & building resilience to climate change. The enkang’ model involves settling the beneficiaries down together as a community, training them on gender-equal practices, derogatory culture & climate resilient ways of life. The model will promote access to resources such as water, sanitation facilities & through empowering both genders economically while also ensuring girls & women within the village are protected from instances of GBV.
Through climate smart agriculture made possible by water, the beneficiaries will also be ensured of food security, profitable livestock keeping & restored lands.
THE EXPLAINER
The Enkang’ (village) model for gender equality is a sustainable village that will be strategically located in communities with deep patriarchal structures wherein the members will uphold gender equal practices as well as other sustainable practices. The model recognizes the complex nature of climate change and hence proposes this model as an all-rounded/holistic solution to build climate resilience as well as address issues of gender inequalities.
The model also recognizes the importance of “willingness and drive to change” and will hence only encompass community members that are willing to abolish harmful practices and embrace new, gender-equal & sustainable practices. These people will then serve as models and living examples to the other community members inspiring them to change their ways and consequently adapt sustainable practices.
This village will be community-owned, led, ran and only guided as well as provided resources for by SASAL. This model will involve 63 willing households; settling them down as a community. It will be guided by a committee consisting of 2 leaders 2 from the county government, a religious leader, woman leader & female youth leader. The village will be inclusive; taking into account gender, disability, type of household (female-headed, male- headed) etc.
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