Advocacy, Policy & Partneship

~ Our Advocacy Vision~ 

Redefining Unpaid Care and Domestic Work(UCDW) Economy for Women and Girls

At the Association of Women in Agriculture Kenya (AWAK), we believe that the “Care Economy” is the backbone of a thriving economic sector. Our advocacy work is built on the 4Rs Framework, a strategic approach to Unpaid Care and Domestic Work (UCDW) that aims to transform the lives of women by addressing the heavy and unequal burden of household labor.

• Recognize: We work to make the economic and social value of care work visible. Care is work, and it must be accounted for in household decisions and national statistics.

• Reduce: We advocate for labor-saving infrastructure and technology—such as clean energy and water access—to shorten the time women spend on domestic chores.

• Redistribute: We engage men, boys, and the state to share the responsibility of care work, ensuring it does not fall solely on the shoulders of women.

• Represent: We ensure that women caregivers have a seat at the table where policies are written and budgets are decided.

Through our WE-CARE initiative, we have achieved universal program awareness across our intervention areas, with 87% of our community members now actively advocating for policy changes that support caregivers.

~ Policy Wins & Regional Impact~

Driving Legislative Change from Kitui to Mombasa

AWAK bridges the gap between grassroots needs and government action. We turn community dialogues into policy drafts and budget allocations that deliver tangible results.

1. Kitui County: The Caregivers Memorandum

In a landmark achievement for the WE-CARE project, our champions presented a Caregivers Memorandum to H.E. Governor Dr. Julius Malombe. This resulted in:

• The 60 Sand Dams Commitment: A pledge to construct 60 sand dams across 40 wards to bring water closer to homes, directly reducing the time-poverty of women who previously walked over 2 kilometers for water.

• Kangu Kangu Water Project: In partnership with World Vision, this Ksh 839.7 million flagship project is set to provide potable water to over 25,000 households (100,000 people), revolutionizing domestic labor dynamics in Kitui South.

2. Mombasa County: Market-Based Childcare

Our collaboration with the Mombasa Women MCA Caucus has positioned the county as a leader in urban care systems:

• Budget Allocation: We successfully lobbied for a KSh 10 million allocation in the county budget dedicated to building modern childcare facilities in local markets.

• Kongowea Market Model: We are establishing a flagship childcare center in Kongowea Market, ensuring that women traders can participate in the economy without sacrificing the safety and development of their children.

3. Nairobi County: Urban Policy Influence

In Nairobi, we continue to push for gender-responsive urban planning, ensuring that the unique care needs of women in informal settlements and urban farming are prioritized in the County Integrated Development Plans (CIDP).

~ Our Strategic Partnerships~

A United Front for Systemic Change

Advocacy is most powerful when it is collaborative. AWAK partners with global foundations, private sector leaders, and international cities to amplify our mission.

• Oxfam Kenya: Our core partner in the WE-CARE project, helping us shift cultural narratives around UCDW and advocate for care-responsive public services.

• Seoul City & Seoul Digital Foundation: Following our participation in the Smart Cities Summit 2024 in South Korea, a historic MOU was signed between Mombasa County and Seoul City. This partnership brings “Human-Centric Tech” and international expertise to our childcare infrastructure initiatives.

• The Coca-Cola Foundation: Supporting our “Thriving Beyond Recovery” program, which empowers women with the livelihoods and economic resilience needed to overcome the care penalty.

• Croda Foundation: Partnering with us to provide technical skills in urban farming and mental wellness support for over 2,600 women across Nairobi and Mombasa.

• World Vision: A key technical partner in the delivery of large-scale water infrastructure that reduces the domestic labor burden for rural women.

~ Transforming the Care Landscape~

Breaking Norms through Engagement and Innovation

We don’t just advocate for policy; we work on the ground to change hearts, minds, and household dynamics.

• Male Engagement for UCDW: We believe men are essential partners in the care revolution. On International Women’s Day 2025, we hosted community dialogues and “Male Engagement” events where men participated in cooking demonstrations and household chores to symbolize the redistribution of labor.

• Childcare Centres (Creches): We are pioneering the “Market Creche” model. By integrating childcare into trading hubs, we unlock the economic potential of thousands of women.

• Impact by the Numbers (2025): * 96% Participation: Our interventions have seen near-universal engagement from the communities we serve.

  • 100% Awareness: Every household in our intervention villages is now aware of the 4Rs framework.

  • 51% Clean Energy Adoption: Over half of our participants are now using clean energy solutions, further reducing the time spent on domestic chores and protecting household health.