With ongoing adversities significantly impacting Kenya—such as weather-related events, mental health issues, violence, and political instability—women leaders from one of the country's informal settlements, Kibera, are shaping solutions. As community advocates, these women provide direct support and lead interventions in areas of intimate partner violence (IPV), mental health, youth development, gender equity, and climate justice. They also contribute to scientific inquiry through research participation, addressing their communities' immediate and long-term needs. However, far less attention is given to the remarkable resilience demonstrated by these leaders and the communities in which they work and live despite their hardships. Their lived experiences position them as key stakeholders in the fight against IPV and its related issues. They offer critical insights beyond statistics, informing culturally relevant and effective interventions and policies.
The Nairobi Center will host a panel featuring women leaders from Kibera who live in and serve this community. The webinar will highlight narratives illustrating stories of women who have survived violence, demonstrated emotional resilience, relied on community support, and cultivated economic stability.
Professor Samantha Winter from Columbia's School of Social Work has been researching the intersection of the effects of climate and mental health challenges in Kenya's informal settlements, including Mathare and Kibera, for over 3 years. This webinar aims to amplify the voices of women community leaders with whom she has been working over the past few years.
