Ever wondered what kind of challenges face East Africans? Women in East African
countries face a lot of challenges when pursuing their careers or attaining a better living standard.
Most of the challenges they face can be attributed to one factor,

"Lack of girls and women empowerment". 

Out of 5 educated people in a village, you will find that 4 are men while only 1 is female. The same picture is reflected in the employment sector where majority of those who
succeed to attain employment are male gender. Majority of educated girls ends up being
housewives due to employment challenges.

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A more shocking revelation fact is that, majority of girls’ education ends after completing
primary level education. After that, boys are more prioritized. Majority of those girls’ ends up in
early marriage’s and have no chances of attending high school or tertiary education. It is now
clear that girls and women in East Africa desperately need empowerment to overcome these
challenges. With our vision of uplifting girls and women in East Africa, our initiative through
your support can make great impact and put smiles on many faces of women in East Africa.

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1. Cultural and Social Attitudes: Gender-based discrimination and traditional cultural norms
perpetuate gender inequality in the labor market. Women are often seen as inferior and
relegated to lower-status jobs, making it difficult for them to break into more senior
positions.

2. Lack of Education and Skills: Women in East Africa face significant barriers to accessing
education and training opportunities. This lack of education and skills makes it more
challenging for women to compete for high-paying jobs, as they are often limited to low-
skilled, low-wage work.

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3. Discrimination in Hiring: Discrimination in hiring is a significant problem in Kenya, as
employers often prefer to hire men over women. This can be due to a belief that women
will not be as productive or committed to their jobs as men, or because they are perceived
as being more likely to take time off for maternity leave or family responsibilities.

4. Gendered Division of Labor: The gendered division of labor reinforces the notion that
certain jobs are "male" or "female" jobs, and that women are not suitable for certain types
of work. This limits the opportunities available to women and reinforces gender wage
gaps, as women are often paid less for work of equal value.

5. Economic Instability: The Kenyan economy has been plagued by instability and slow
growth in recent years, making it challenging for all workers, regardless of gender, to
find and maintain good jobs. However, women tend to bear the brunt of economic
hardships, as they are often the first to be laid off or forced into low-wage, insecure work.

6. Lack of government support: The government of Kenya has not done enough to support
women in the workplace, including providing equal pay and addressing gender-based
violence. This can make it more difficult for women to get good jobs and succeed in their
careers.

7. Sexual harassment and discrimination: Women in Kenya may also face sexual
harassment and discrimination in the workplace, which can make it difficult for them to
secure good jobs. This is particularly true in industries dominated by men, such as
construction or mining.

8. Societal attitudes: Women in East Africa still face significant gender biases and
discrimination in the workplace. This can lead to lower expectations and opportunities for
women, making it difficult for them to secure good jobs.

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Possible Solutions:

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1. Education: Providing education and training opportunities for women and girls is critical
to increasing their employment prospects. This can include programs that provide skills
training, financial literacy, and business development support.

2. Encouraging Gender Equality: Addressing cultural attitudes that limit women's career
opportunities is essential. This can include educating communities about the benefits of
gender equality and promoting women's rights through media and community outreach.

3. Supporting Economic Empowerment: Supporting women in economic empowerment is
critical to improving their employment prospects. This can include providing access to
credit, financial services, and business development support, as well as advocating for
equal pay and equal access to productive assets.

4. Advocating for Pro-Women Laws and Policies: Advocacy efforts should be made to
ensure that laws and policies are gender-responsive and do not discriminate against
women and girls. This can include advocating for equal pay, property rights, and
inheritance rights.

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Conclusion:

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Women and girls in East Africa face significant challenges in accessing good job
opportunities. Addressing these challenges will require a multi-faceted approach that includes
increasing access to education and training, addressing cultural attitudes, supporting economic
empowerment, and advocating for pro-women laws and policies. By working together, we can
create a brighter future for women and girls in East Africa and ensure that they have the
opportunities they need to reach their full potential.

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