Catalyzing care innovations in marginalized and vulnerable communities of Kenya’s arid and semi-arid land

Women and girls in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands bear a disproportionate burden of unpaid care work, spending significantly more time than men and boys on activities such as childcare, cooking and cleaning. This inequality limits their access to education and employment, perpetuating cycles of poverty, ill health and gender-based violence. Aga Khan University research in arid and semi-arid areas reveals alarming rates of low education and high illiteracy among women. Limited infrastructure exacerbates these challenges, forcing women and girls to undertake additional unpaid labour, including laborious water and firewood collection. Fathers’ minimal involvement in childcare compounds the situation.

Expanding successful childcare approaches

This initiative proposes implementing proven approaches to provide quality childcare tailored to arid and semi-arid contexts. By prioritizing scalability and adaptation to the context, the project aims to empower marginalized communities in Kenya and potentially spark positive change in similar settings nationwide.

Adapting childcare model to arid contexts

This project aims to adapt and scale two interventions that have decreased unpaid care work elsewhere in Kenya: community-based childcare centres for infants (6-35 months) and madrasa early childhood programs for young children (36-60 months). The madrasa programs have operated for almost 40 years in four counties in Kenya. This project will introduce them to two additional counties, in arid and semi-arid lands (Isiolo and Lamu). While furthering access to high-quality, safe and affordable childcare, the project will address gaps in men and boys’ engagement in unpaid care work, and women and girls’ financial literacy and skills development for economic empowerment.