As Kenya confronts the challenges posed by gender-based violence (GBV), 11 Kenyan entrepreneurs are stepping up to prevent GBV and support survivors with transformative and innovative solutions.
Culminating weeks of mentorship, these changemakers will showcase their initiatives at the “Innovate Against GBV Pitching Event” – an event targeting over 100 participants, organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in collaboration with the National Gender Equality Commission (NGEC), Nairobi County Government, and project implementing partners, GrowthAfrica.
The event represents a powerful platform for catalyzing change, as the entrepreneurs present their business ideas developed specifically to tackle GBV. The Innovate Against GBV program seeks to equip local entrepreneurs with the resources, networks, and support they need to scale their ideas and drive societal impact.
“GBV has profound impacts on individuals, communities, and the nation’s socio-economic landscape. We must enhance our innovative and dynamic actions, and businesses have a unique and powerful role to stand against GBV and foster societal change,” said Makiko Kubota, Chief Advisor of the NGEC-JICA GBV Elimination Project.
Over the past six weeks, the participating entrepreneurs have received intensive mentorship, strategic business guidance, and practical resources to develop their innovative ideas. The pitching event will allow them to connect with investors and partners who can help scale their solutions to reach communities in need.
“We are proud to support these entrepreneurs as they work to drive real change in Kenya. This event demonstrates how entrepreneurship can act as a vehicle for social impact, creating solutions that go beyond profit to address issues deeply affecting communities,” said Patricia Jumi, Managing Director of GrowthAfrica.
