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Call to Action

The World YWCA is calling on member associations, civil society, partners and donors to take the following action to alleviate the suffering in Kenya:

1. Donate and support ongoing efforts
2. Advocate for women’s inclusion in peace building
3. Say ‘No’ to impunity for rape and abuse of women
4. Dedicate a prayer session to Kenya

1. Donate and support ongoing efforts

The World YWCA and Kenya YWCA are working closely with other stakeholders to respond to the current crisis while maintaining a special focus on women and children. The Kenya YWCA has availed its premises as a safe space for vulnerable women particularly the elderly, pregnant women and women with young children. Kenya YWCA has facilities in the affected areas of Kisumu and Siaya in Nyanza province and Mombasa in the Coastal region. According to the BBC thousands of displaced people have flooded Nyanza province and are desperate for shelter and food.

The World YWCA is raising funds and advocating to ensure the humanitarian response is sensitive to women’s needs, particularly their sexual and reproductive health needs including access to rape crisis facilities and counsellors, HIV prevention drugs, sanitary towels among other commodities and facilities.
Make a donation today to support humanitarian efforts. Your contribution can help humanitarian efforts at the Kenya YWCA facilities or support volunteers working at one of the local branches.

See bottom of article for ways to donate

2. Advocate for women’s inclusion in peace building

As the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and the African Union Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality call for the inclusion of women in conflict prevention, resolution and peace building, the World YWCA is advocating for inclusion of women in the key mediation teams working on a political solution between the Kenyan government and the opposition party. Currently, there are no women in the established mediation teams yet women make up 50% of the population and close to half of registered voters.

The political crisis in Kenya unleashed underlying ethnic sentiments exhibited in brutal killing of members of rival ethnic groups. While the short-term effort is an end to violence, the long-term effort must focus on building communities of respect, tolerance, and reverence for diversity. The leadership of women is crucial in this endeavour.

Send an email to Alpha Konare, chairperson of the African Union and imploring him to include women in the mediation. Email: KonareAO@africa-union.org

3. Say ‘No’ to impunity for rape and abuse of women

“As ethnic hatred mounts in a country teetering on the brink of catastrophe, disturbing reports are emerging that angry mobs are adding rape to their arsenal of revenge,” reads an article in the Daily Telegraph of January 7, 2008. The article cites reports indicating that hundreds of women and children have been raped. Gang rape as a means of retaliation is on the increase and the Nairobi Women’s Hospital has recorded a two-fold increase in rape cases in recent days.

As talks between President Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga are established and calm returns to the country, the pain, suffering and injustice perpetrated on women and girls must not go unaddressed. The Kenya government last year passed a progressive sexual offence law and it must be exercised at this time.

Support the Gender Violence Recovery Centre of the Nairobi Women’s Hospital, who are setting up four rape crisis centres in Nairobi slum areas of Mathare, Kibera, Hurma and at the camp for displaced people in Jamhuri Park.

See bottom of article for ways to donate.

4. Dedicate a prayer session to Kenya

If you pray, consider holding a prayer session dedicated to the crisis in Kenya. The people of Kenya are praying for peace; media houses simultaneously broadcasted live prayer services on Sunday January 6. “We pray that God will protect all who remain at risk,” Rev Dr Sam Kobia, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches said in a statement responding to the crisis in Kenya. “Churches have a leading role to play in ensuring respect for human life and seeking reconciliation between neighbours,” the statement concludes as it alludes to ethnic based violence in areas where diversity once thrived.

In a letter to the people of Kenya, Pope Benedict XVI expressed “heartfelt hope that this beloved nation, whose experience of social tranquility and development represents an element of stability in the entire troubled region, will banish as quickly as possible the threat of ethnic conflict".

Donate today:

UBS SA
Rue des Noirettes 35
CP 2600
CH-1211 Geneva

Swift Code : UBSWCHZH12A
Account numbers :
279-C0797187.0 (CHF)
279-C0797187.1 (USD)
279-C0797187.2 (Euro)
IBAN Numbers:
CH45 0027 9279 C0797187.0 (CHF)
CH18 0027 9279 C0797187.1 (USD)
CH88 0027 9279 C0797187.2 (EUR)

Make payment in the name of:
World YWCA
16 Ancienne Route, CH-1218 Grand Saconnex
Geneva, Switzerland
Please indicate: Kenya crisis.

For credit card donation contact:

Finance Department, World YWCA
Tel: +41 929 6040
Fax: +41 929 6044
Email: worldoffice@worldywca.org

Donate to the Nairobi Women’s Hospital Rape Crisis centers:

Nairobi Women's Hospital/GVRC/Safaricom
Standard Chartered Bank, Yaya Center Branch
Account Number 0102097409401

Contact:

Cell: +254 722 760 146 or +254 733 618 353
Tel: +254 20 271 886, +254 272 6821/4/6/7
Fax: +254 20 271 665