Wana Dada Empowerment Project

‘Wana dad’ in Swahili translates to 'you have a sister.' In the context of Kibera, it represents a women's empowerment initiative that aims to invest in girls to catalyze positive change in the world. The project creates a safe space for girls, crucial for breaking the cycle of poverty and unlocking economic opportunities within informal settlements like Kibera. In 2023, the Wana Dada Empowerment Project reached over 600 girls.

Globally, adolescent girls face marginalization and greater vulnerability compared to boys. In Kibera, alongside the daily challenges of extreme poverty, girls often confront issues such as early marriage, sexual violence, and female genital mutilation. It is particularly alarming that less than 1% of girls in Kibera have access to dedicated spaces or programs tailored to their needs.

Providing girls with a secure physical and emotional space is crucial to enable them to escape from poverty and take up economic opportunities. The Wana Dada Core Program serves over 600 girls aged 9-20 annually, guiding them towards personal leadership and confidence building. Incorporating various arts activities such as music, drama, dance, and football, the program mentors and empowers girls through education on sexual and reproductive health, alongside other critical life skills.

This impactful endeavour has been made possible through savings from previous funded projects, notably from Artist Project Earth. In Pauline Sifuna’s words: ‘The ripple effect of APE’s support becomes evident in the smiles of our girls, who experience a glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel’.

In Kibera young girls have opportunities to design their own clothes