Born as a dream in 2018,
The Afnan women initiative was established as a non– profit organization working to promote and protect the voices of marginalized pastoralist girls and women in the North-Eastern Province of Kenya, with a focus on education, the rights of pastoralist girls and children, women’s economic empowerment and peace advocacy.
ESSENCE & ORIGIN
Afnan is an Arabic word and TAWI a Swahili word that denote to the branch a tree; beautifully and metaphorically symbolizing the growth and strength that comes from the empowerment of girls and the protection of women’s rights.
TAWI embodies the solidarity and protection that women rightly deserve, TAWI stands firm as a reminder that every woman and girl has the right to live free from violence, discrimination and inequality.
Just like the branch of a tree which supports leaves, flowers and fruits, the women’s right initiative encompasses an umbrella of issues, ranging from education, and the fight against Gender Based Violence to women’s economic empowerment .
Each leaf, flower and fruit of the branch of a tree is a symbol of a unique challenge and unique victory in the ongoing struggle for gender equality. Like a branch, the women’s initiative continues to grow toward the sunlight of equality, Weathering storms and enduring the harsh summer of resistance. Just like a branch, it may be crooked but its beautiful artwork of nature is a message of hope, resilience and persistence. It reminds us that as pastoralist women, we are not hopeless, but are the key that holds the mystery of life together!