Empowering refugee women: Handover of the Kalobeyei Handicraft Centre

Date: Monday, 23 September 2024

Top Photo: Anna Mutavati, outgoing Kenya Country Representative, handing over the keys of the Kalobeyei Handicraft Centre to Father Mathew a Don Bosco Representative. Photo: UN Women/Sharon Kinyanjui — Top: Anna Mutavati, outgoing Kenya Country Representative, handing over the keys of the Kalobeyei Handicraft Centre to Father Mathew a Don Bosco Representative. Photo: UN Women/Sharon Kinyanjui

With support from the Government of Japan, UN Women alongside other partners recently officially handed over the Kalobeyei Handicraft Centre to Don Bosco, marking a significant milestone in empowering refugee women. The Centre, equipped with sewing machines, raw materials, classrooms with computers, and a child-friendly building, will continue to enable women to design, craft, and sell their products, providing them with financial independence.

Through the Women’s Leadership, Empowerment, Access, and Protection in Crisis Response (LEAP) project, a Handicraft Centre was established in 2022 at the Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement in Turkana County. Finalized and fully equipped between 2023 and 2024, the center empowers 365 refugee and host community women with the skills needed to achieve economic stability. In recognition of the challenges women face in balancing work and caregiving, the center has childcare facilities to cater for their children while they work, ensuring a supportive environment for women.

"We have worked closely with Peace Winds Japan and Don Bosco to give these women a space to learn new skills, create products, and gain financial autonomy. The Centre is children-friendly, ensuring women can focus on their work while their children are safe and engaged," said Anna Mutavati during the handover ceremony on 22nd August 2024.

The handover solidifies Don Bosco’s commitment to manage the Centre, continuing the work UN Women began. As they take over, Father Mathew highlighted the Centre’s potential to drive economic empowerment for women in the region, setting an example of resilience and collaboration.

This initiative aligns with UN Women’s broader goal of creating livelihood opportunities for vulnerable women, particularly survivors of gender-based violence, and fostering sustainable development in humanitarian settings.

Sarah Sikapenda, chairperson of the Kalobeyei Handicraft Cooperative, expressed her gratitude: "Thanks to the skills learned from UN Women, we have built a cooperative, saved money, and even started a merry-go-round system, allowing women to start small businesses and support their families.