Kenya
Two levels of inequality: gender and geography
A collection with Amref Health Africa for women’s rights
Kenya is often described as one of the most dynamic countries in East Africa. Technological innovation, economic growth, an active civil society, and one of the continent’s most progressive constitutions in terms of rights all contribute to this image. Yet gender equality in Kenya still has a long way to go — and in this journey it intersects with another layer of inequality: the divide between urban and rural areas.
Political representation: rights written into law, uneven implementation
The 2010 Constitution introduced the two-thirds gender rule, stating that no elective body should be composed of more than two-thirds of the same gender. However, while women’s participation in public life is more visible in large cities — supported by professional networks and greater access to information and education — cultural and economic barriers remain more deeply rooted in rural areas, where access to representation is far more fragile.
Economy and work: two Kenyas
In urban areas, a significant number of women participate in the formal economy, start businesses, and work in services, finance, and technology. Nairobi is one of the region’s most vibrant economic hubs. In rural areas, however, reality is very different. Here, women sustain subsistence agriculture, produce a significant portion of the country’s food, and support the family economy — often without access to land, credit, or adequate productive tools. The result is a double gap: gender-based and territorial.
Education and rights
Access to primary education has improved significantly, and the gender gap has narrowed. In urban centers, female participation in higher education is also increasing. However, remaining within the school system continues to be a challenge, especially in areas where infrastructure and services are weaker. Over the years, Kenya has strengthened its legal framework against gender-based violence and harmful practices. Yet the implementation of these laws remains uneven. While legislative change has progressed, cultural change moves at a different pace.
Treedom and Amref
Within this context, Treedom focuses its work precisely in rural areas, where the double gap — gender and territorial — is most evident. In some cases, agroforestry projects are carried out on public land allocated specifically to create opportunities for farming communities largely composed of women. Women are often entrusted with leading nurseries, managing operations, and guiding community life, gaining social recognition that produces both direct and indirect impact and demonstrates, through the power of example, the possibility of positive change. For years, Amref Italia has also worked on women’s empowerment through targeted projects, based on the belief that every woman should have the tools to achieve independence, awareness of her own value, authority, and control over her life. By addressing social, economic, and cultural barriers, Amref seeks to ensure access to education, employment, and leadership opportunities in pursuit of genuine gender equality.
