Kenya: Nakuru Slum Women Trained on Rights and Dispute Resolution

More than 60 women from the slums in Nakuru West marked the International Women’s Day in style on Sunday. The women were trained on gender, human rights and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

The training at Shabab Hall saw participants field questions to legal experts from Egerton University Faculty of Law led by Dr Ruth Aura.

INHERITANCE

Some of the questions revolved around women’s rights, especially on matters inheritance, gender based-violence and land rights among others.

The women requested to be trained on mediation in a bid to address violence at their homes.

Ms Jane Karuku from Githima Location said she is now aware of her rights to own property acquired jointly with her husband.

“For a long time, women in the slums and marginalised areas have not enjoyed their basic human rights and that is why Egerton University Faculty of Law is training them on basic human rights. The women form a critical component in the social economic development of our country,” said Dr Aura.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Mr Wambua Kituku, the project manager of Amkeni Wakenya said that his organisation will continue supporting institutions like Egerton University which are pushing for access to justice among the poor. Amkeni Wakenya is a civil society which supports United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) activities in Kenya.

“Most of the poor and marginalised women from the slums of Nakuru West have limited access to justice and that is why UNDP is supporting initiative by Egerton University Faculty of Law to ensure they are aware of their basic human rights,” said Mr Kituku.