The Enkang’ Model for Gender Equality and Climate Resilience

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 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.

For more; download below….