This year, FOWODE commemorated Women’s Day by breaking ground for Imara Women’s Centre.

March 8th is marked off every year as International Women’s Day (IWD). The day offers an opportunity to celebrate acts and women of courage and determination that have contributed to communities, call for change, and reflect on progress made.

This year, Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) joined the rest of the world to celebrate the Day under the theme Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.

The theme could not have been more in tune with our plans this year as it spoke directly to our vision for Imara Woman’s Centre, our focus of celebration this women’s month. Imara Women’s Centre was born out of the process of taking stock of the milestones towards Gender Equality and reflecting on what more needs to be done for a sustainable future in the struggle for gender equality.
In December 2021, we introduced the Centre through various media platforms.

In January 2022, we unveiled the name of the Centre, Imara Women’s Centre. Imara in Swahili stands for Bold, Strong and Firm. At FOWODE, we are taking a bold stand to sustain our work towards Gender Equality because we do acknowledge that although a lot has been achieved, there is still much more to do to achieve an equal future. FOWODE is determined to provide women organizers, in their diversity, with a place of their own.

On 7th March 2022, we broke ground at the Imara Women’s Centre site in Kasangati Town Council. Our Chief Guest was Kenyan Politician and ardent advocate for social justice, Hon. Martha Karua. We chose Hon. Karua, an icon of women’s leadership and determination, because she embodies the facets we celebrate at the Imara Centre.

• This Centre is FOWODE’s contribution to the Women’s Movement towards the struggle for gender equality. The Centre will;
• Facilitate women’s own independent voice.
• Build and strengthen women leaders to champion gender equality.
• Be a base from which to engage decision-makers on reforms to secure women’s right to full participation in the economy.
• Be a launchpad for action for feminist campaigns.
• Provide a safe and empowering space, and support activism for zero acceptance of sexual and gender-based violence.
• Be a place for rejuvenation, reflection, nurturing, healing and self-care
• Be a women’s space for creativity, innovation, learning and networking
• Facilitate networks and connections to bring about togetherness for equality and women’s rights.

We hope that you will join us as we establish this Centre where we can further advance, consolidate and sustain the struggle for gender equality, for a better tomorrow.
For inquiries, contact Isabella Akiteng 0777610053 Email:imarawomenscentre@fowode.org.
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