African Woman and Child Feature Service - International Women's Day

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International Women's Day

About AWCFS

The African Woman and Child Features Service (AWC) is a Nairobi-based media organisation with an African regional outlook.

AWC has been active in training journalists and other media practitioners as well as NGOs in the region in the area of gender, media and development. It has assisted in the production of training manuals for organisations, gender mainstreaming policies and content for media houses and training women on how to access and effectively use the media for development.

Events

December

16 Days of Activism
December 25, 2008

May

UN World Press Freedom Day
May 3, 2009

International Day of Families
May 15, 2009

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Conference Newspapers

International Women's Day

One Young Woman, Changed

Mercy Moses is wandering the dusty roads of an estate on the edges of Eldoret. She’s fashionably dressed in a skirt, blouse, and long, white scarf. She greets friends in the road. Most are people she’s known for most of her 21 years.

As she walks through her neighborhood, she points to houses that were abandoned during the post-election violence. She gestures toward hills that are scorched black by the fires that razed Kikuyu shambas to the ground.

One child who wants Kibaki-Raila peace deal to succeed

For children in areas affected by the post-election violence, school is one area they would avoid if they had an option.

Stories coming from the affected areas indicate that children are being subjected to tribal slurs and persecution for belonging to certain communities.

Woman's spirit that defies the odds

Giving birth to her first child was the most memorable moment in Tabitha Akinyi’s life.

Despite her difficult pregnancy, the moment she held baby Musingo in her arms, she new she wanted to have a second child, maybe even more.

Even though Akinyi’s dream of having another child is only two weeks away, the 24 year old says this is a pregnancy she wishes she had postponed.

Boda Boda men seek sexual favours from displaced women

Angelina Akeyo, a counsellor at the St. Stephens ACK IDP camp in Kisumu

As people count the losses brought about by the aftermath of the disputed general elections, young men in Siaya are taking advantage of the situation.

They are stalking displaced women who have traveled from Naivasha, Nakuru and other parts of Central province promising them heaven in return of sexual favours.

Those being targeted by these young men, especially the boda boda men, are widows and young girls.

“It is horrifying what people are doing in the pretext that they want to help the women and children,” laments Angelina Akeyo, a counselor at the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), an internally displaced persons camp in Kisumu, Nyanza Province.

Conflict brings out the strength of woman

The festive season meant booming business for Agnes Waithera who sells food in the residential estates in Kiambu town.

This is a business that the 44 years old mother of six, has mastered over many years enabling her to cultivate a solid following among her clientele.

But the unmatched violence that rocked the country, after the general elections results were announced, has brought her business to its knees.

The recent signing of the Peace Deal between President Mwai Kibaki and ODM Chair, Raila Odinga signals the dawn of a new chapter for Kenya and for her.

Violence pushed pregnant women beyond limits

Susan Akinyi in her hospital bed Lying exhausted on her hospital bed in ward 17 at Kisumu Provincial hospital, Susan Akinyi is oblivious of her surrounding. Even the sweet smelling tea served with some bread does not make her move her body. Chai Chai, kuja Chukua chai! The tea lady calls her, but she remains motionless. A good Samaritan sympathizes with her, and offers to get the tea for her.
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Families struggle to rise from the ashes

Mrs. Margaret Wathiongo -families struggle to rise from the ashes

As Margaret Wathiongo stocked her business in December 2007 in anticipation of a great new year that would bring in good profits, she never thought the world would turn upside down on her.

She had traveled to Kampala, Uganda in mid December to purchase clothes, shoes and other commodities for her clients. Profits started streaming before Christmas, and she was elated that the proceeds enable her pay college and school fees for her four children without difficulties.

Woman's years of toiling gone down the drain

Londiani is a name that brings horrifying memories to Zainabu Nduta, who witnessed untold terror and bloodshed, after the disputed December elections were announced. But, Nduta says that despite what she went through, she is now firmly focused on rebuilding her life.
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WHAT'S NEW

Treatment and Discussion of Rape in Kenyan Newspapers today

Preliminary report of a study commissioned by African Woman and Child Feature Service as part of the Sixteen Days of Activism against Gender Violence, November 25- December 10, 2004

Gender Based Violence Report

A snapshot of Kenyan Newspapers’ coverage of violence against women December 10, 2005 to October 2006

Heal the Nation Campaign

A group of women journalists have come together, facilitated by the Swedish and Norwegian envoys in Kenya, and launched an initiative called 'Healing the Nation'.

View more information

Media Diversity Centre

Gender & Governance Programme

The GGP was developed by different stakeholders comprising women leaders and women centred civil society organisations and supported by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and development partners such as the Swedish International Development Agency, the Royal Netherlands Embassy, the Royal Norwegian Embassy and DFID.