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Taita Taveta County Government Pledges Action on SGBV and Economic Exclusion at International Women’s Day 2026

As communities across Taita Taveta County marked International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, the County Government reaffirmed its commitment to tackling sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) while promoting women’s rights and economic empowerment by ensuring gender responsive budgeting including analyzing revenue and expenditure to reduce gender inequalities, ensuring women benefit from employment, compensation, and community development, and supporting women-owned businesses in the supply chain.

Taita Taveta County, Kenya – March 9, 2026

Speaking at the event in Kamtonga, Mwatate Sub-County, Mr. Leonard Mwamzinyi, Assistant County Director in the Department of Mining, highlighted the County Government’s commitment to implementing gender-responsive budgeting in the mining sector.

A dark-skin Kenyan man speaking to an audience with a microphone in hand. Man pictured has a pink short sleeve shirt and golden kofia hat. Behind slightly out of focus is a roll-up showcasing the thematic focuses of Haki Ni Yetu project.
Taita Taveta County Assistant Director Leonard Mwamzinyi addressing the residents during the IWD2026 celebrations in Kamtonga, Taita Taveta County. Photo: InformAction

“As the County Government, we will push for a proper budget that ensures women in the mining sector benefit from targeted interventions, including capacity-building programs designed to empower them economically and socially,” Mwamzinyi  said.

Mr. Mwamzinyi emphasized that this approach aims not only to create equitable opportunities for women miners but also to strengthen their participation in decision-making processes and access to resources. He noted that gender-responsive budgeting is a critical step in addressing historical inequalities and promoting sustainable development within the county’s mining communities.

A Platform for Action

The event drew a diverse audience, including representatives from the County Departments of Health, Mining, and Gender, alongside grassroots women miners, local leaders, and civil society actors. Activities included dialogue sessions, film screenings, and interactive engagements, emphasizing the urgent need to protect women from exploitation and SGBV, while ensuring fair participation in economic opportunities within the mining sector.

Dark-skinned Kenyan woman speaking to an audience outside under in a pavilion. Woman is wearing black sunglasses and holding a microphone in one hand and phone in other. She is wearing a purple loose fitting dress with a stripped belt at the waist.
InformAction Executive Director, Winnie Masai, speaking on how the Haki Ni Yetu project has supported grassroots groups during the IWD celebrations in Kamtonga, Taita Taveta County. Photo: InformAction

Speaking to the participants, Executive Director Winnie Masai issued a dual challenge: for the state to strengthen GBV response mechanisms and for the private sector to open fair market pathways for women entrepreneurs:

“Our work under Haki Ni Yetu projects demonstrates that partnerships are key to ensuring women not only access protection and justice but also meaningful economic opportunities,” said Masai. “Women are not getting fair business practices in terms of opportunities and access to equipment at mining sites. There is a need to ensure they also have a fair share of the market.”

Partnerships Driving Change

The collaboration with Haki Ni Yetu grantee Blessed Women in Mining, led by Chairperson Consesa Wachenje, was central to the event’s success. Since receiving the Haki Ni Yetu grant, the CBO has been a strong advocate for women in mining, focusing on protection from SGBV and access to market opportunities that promote their economic rights. Additionally, Blessed Women has played a key role in building women’s capacity to participate in governance processes, challenging the community assumption that leadership and decision-making are solely a man’s role.

An elder dark-skinned woman speaking to an audience outside, some greenery visible behind. They are wearing sunglassess, a red short sleeve shirt and black trousers.
Blessed Women in Mining Chairperson Consesa Wachenje addressing the participants during the IWD celebrations in Kantonga, Taita Taveta County. Photo: InformAction

“It is heartening to see support from duty bearers and stakeholders,” Wachenje said.

“Our women in mining face challenges ranging from unsafe working conditions to unequal access to equipment and markets. As a result of the trainings, we have seen more women actively participating in governance processes and building stronger relationships and partnerships with duty bearers. We are also encouraged that the County Government has shown commitment in addressing the challenges that women continue to face,” she added.

County Government Comminments for Advancing Protection of Women in Mining.

The celebrations provided a platform for duty bearers to make concrete commitments toward protecting women in mining and supporting their economic inclusion. Mr. Mwamzinyi, Assistant Director of the Mining Department, highlighted the government’s role.

“We are committed to ensuring that women in mining work under safe conditions and that they have equal access to tools, resources, and market opportunities,” Mwamzinyi said. “Our department will continue to work closely with organizations like Blessed Women in Mining to bridge gender gaps in this sector.”

While speaking at the event, Janet Mwaluma, Taita Taveta County Department of Health’s GBV Prevention and Response Coordination Officer, emphasized the critical link between protection, health, and economic empowerment, highlighting that addressing FGM requires a holistic approach that safeguards women and children while promoting their well-being and opportunities.

A dark-skin woman speaking to an audience inside, in the background a roll-up and some stacked blue chairs are visible, slightly out of focus. Woman is wearing a a patterned (U-shapes in different angles repeated) blue long-sleeve shirt and holding a microphone. They also have eyeglasses.
Janet Mwaluma, the County Department of Health’s GBV Prevention and Response Coordination Officer, responding to questions from community members during the IWD event in Kamtonga, Taita Taveta County. Photo:InformAction

“Seeing women speak openly about FGM today is encouraging. The challenge remains ensuring that arrests lead to justice, as evidence is often lacking and cases are sometimes considered ‘resolved at home.’ I urge community members to come forward and provide evidence, because if we remain silent, it is our children who will continue to suffer,” Mwaluma explained.

Film Screening Sparks Community Dialogue and Concrete Action

The screening of InformAction’s documentary Invisible Scars, which highlights the lived experiences of women facing SGBV, exploitation, and discrimination, sparked powerful reactions among miners, community members, and local leaders, leading to urgent calls for action. During a plenary session, participants raised concerns about exploitation in the mining sector and structural barriers limiting women’s economic participation, with one participant emphasizing the need for duty bearers to take concrete steps to protect women and ensure fair access to economic opportunities.

“We demand that duty bearers take concrete steps to protect women from SGBV and exploitation,” said one participant. “Women must also receive a fair share of market opportunities to fully enjoy their economic rights.”

The engagement, held during the International Women’s Day celebrations in Kamtonga, Taita Taveta County, reflected a strong community commitment to advancing women’s rights, protection from SGBV, and economic empowerment. As a result of the dialogue, stakeholders agreed to establish a Technical Working Group (TWG) comprising representatives from government, civil society, women in mining, and community leaders to monitor progress, coordinate interventions, and ensure accountability in addressing exploitation, SGBV, and economic exclusion in the mining sector.

Participants of an event looking to stage, they are visibly listening to someone speak. Audience is made of Kenyan women, some are wearing traditional dressess and some have their hair covered.
Participants engage in activities during the International Women’s Day celebrations held in Kamtonga, Taita Taveta County, highlighting the community’s commitment to advancing women’s rights, protection from SGBV, and economic empowerment. Photo: InformActio

Impact and Key Takeaways

The International Women’s Day 2026 celebrations in Taita Taveta showcased the potential of collaboration between government, civil society, and community groups in driving social change. Key outcomes included:

  • Public commitments from the County Government to strengthen protection mechanisms and ensure safe working conditions for women miners.
  • Amplified advocacy for fair business practices and access to market opportunities.
  • Increased awareness among community members about SGBV reporting mechanisms and the role of grassroots organizations in promoting accountability.
  • Formation of a Technical Working Group (TWG) to ensure continued engagement and accountability.
  • Strengthened partnerships between InformAction, Blessed Women in Mining, and County Departments, creating a model for collaborative action on women’s rights.

Organized under the #HakiNiYetu project, International Women’s Day 2026 highlighted the power of partnerships in advancing women’s rights, while showcasing grassroots women leaders championing social and economic justice in local mining communities.

The Haki Ni Yetu project is implemented by a consortium that includes the KIOS Foundation, the CSO Network and InformAction. Funded by the Delegation of the European Union in Kenya, the project seeks to strengthen the capacity of county-based and grassroots civil society groups, promoting enhanced governance, accountability, and the protection of human rights across Kenya.

The European Union emblem and the text "Funded by the European Union".

This page is funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of  of the KIOS Foundation & The Haki Ni Yetu project and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

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