Gender

18 December 2009 the Norwegian ambassador to Kenya, Elisabeth Jacobsen, spoke at the opening of the RECSA Gender Validation Workshop held in Nairobi.

The Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) held their Annual Scholarship Fundraising Dinner on 30 October, and had invited The Norwegian Ambassador H.E. Elisabeth Jacobsen to give the key note address.

Norway will provide NOK 40 million (USD 7 million) to UN efforts to combat female genital mutilation and violence against women in developing countries. At the same time, Norway will contribute NOK 20 million (USD 3.5 million) to the new UN Fund for Gender Equality.

Mr Atle Leikvoll, the Deputy Secretary General of the Norwegian Foreign Ministry proudly launched the book ‘Walking the Talk’ last Wednesday, 20th May 2009. He opened by saluting the women contributors of the book for their heroic efforts.

The 5-year Women Entrepreneurship Programme, organised by the Federation of Norwegian Commercial and Service Enterprises (HSH), is now well on its way after the official launch in Uganda earlier this year. The Norwegian Ambassador Elisabeth Jacobsen was delighted to launch the second phase of the Programme, Wednesday 27th May 2009 at the Hill Park Hotel. Present were participants from Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania & Kenya. The overall objective of the programme is to establish a trade house and two market oriented brands in order to meet the taste and demands within the regional trade bloc...

The task of the Integration Advisors is to help implement the Norwegian Government’s Action Plan against Forced Marriages (2008-2011) and to help strengthening administrative procedures in cases concerning forced marriage or other family-related issues at the Foreign Mission Stations. The advisors will work with local parties who can assist in the prevention of forced marriages in the relevant countries. They will also help to enhance competence in this field in Norway, in organizations and public bodies, locally and centrally.

FK Norway (Fredskorpset) and ANPPCAN Kenya, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, National Council of Women in Kenya, Association of Media Women in Kenya, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Maendeleo Ya Wanawake and the Norwegian Embassy held a National Conference on Gender in Nairobi on 7 November. The Conference was attended by 260 participants from various parts of Kenya.

This year, 115 Maasai girls from Narok district decided to abandon the old tradition of female genital mutilation (FGM). The Maasai girls have traditionally undergone FGM in connection with an annual rite of passage taking place in December - marking the girls’ transition from child- to womanhood. These girls have now chosen to go through an “alternative rite of passage” keeping intact all the traditional practices, except the cut. The Norwegian ambassador, taking part in the celebrations, paid tribute to the girls, their families and the community leaders for their important and brave deci...