Civic Participation
Equipping girls and young women with disabilities to engage in advocacy, governance, and community leadership across Kenya.
Raising Voices, Building Leaders
We believe that girls and young women have a fundamental right to participate in their communities, governance systems, and in every decision-making process that affects their lives. Yet girls and young women with disabilities are among the most excluded from civic and political spaces.
Our Civic Participation program equips girls and young women with the skills, confidence, and networks to engage in advocacy, community leadership, and public decision-making. We also work to promote policies and practices that advance their rights — including those of sexual minorities.
We run leadership workshops, civic education sessions, advocacy training, and support participants to attend and contribute to county and national governance forums.
Program Areas
Leadership Training
Workshops on public speaking, community mobilisation, facilitation and civic leadership — building confident, articulate women leaders.
Civic Education
Training on rights, governance structures, the Kenyan Constitution, county devolution, and how to engage with public institutions effectively.
Advocacy Skills
We teach participants how to develop advocacy messages, engage media, write petitions, and influence policy at local and national level.
Governance Forums
We facilitate access to county budgeting forums, public participation meetings, and national policy dialogues for our participants.
Community Organising
Skills for building coalitions, mobilising community action, and creating change through collective organising at the grassroots level.
Rights-Based Advocacy
Targeted advocacy for the rights of girls and young women with disabilities, including those from LGBTQI+ communities and marginalised groups.
Why Civic Participation Matters
When girls and young women with disabilities participate in governance, they bring lived experiences and perspectives that shape better, more inclusive policies. Research consistently shows that communities with greater women’s civic participation have stronger social cohesion, more responsive governance, and better outcomes for all.
“I never thought my voice mattered in county meetings. After FGWN’s training, I presented before the county assembly on disability rights. Things are actually changing.”
— Mercy N., Civic Leader, Nairobi CountyInvest in the Next Generation of Leaders
Support our civic participation program and help young women with disabilities take their rightful place at decision-making tables.