INNOVATIVE CONTEST LAUNCHES TO COMBAT GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP

 Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in partnership with National Gender Equality Commission and the Nairobi County government   and implementing partners, GrowthAfrica,   have  launched    the ‘InnoVate Against GBV’ business plan contest. The  contest aims to address the pervasive issue of gender-based Violence (GBV) in Kenya by harnessing the power of entrepreneurship to develop sustainable business solutions.

 Despite ongoing efforts,  gender  based  violence  remains a deeply entrenched issue in Kenya, affecting millions of women and girls. The 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey shows that 43% of women and 29% of men aged fifteen   years   and above have experienced physical violence, while 13% of women and 5% of men have faced sexual violence. The social and economic impacts are significant, with devastating effects on individuals, families, and communities, and resulting in an estimated economic loss of Kshs.  46 billion annually.  This  is  according to a study carried out in 2016, by the National Gender and Equality Commission titled, “Gender-Based Violence in Kenya: The Economic Burden on Survivors”.

Solutions

In response to this urgent challenge, the ‘InnoVate Against GBV’ contest seeks to mobilise the private sector to create innovative and scalable solutions that directly tackle GBV and contribute to a safer, more equitable society for all. The call for applications for innovative entrepreneurs — both men and women — who are committed to developing business ideas focused on preventing and eliminating GBV in Kenya are open.

Selected start-ups will receive  six   weeks comprehensive support, including mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to investors, to help them bring their innovative ideas to life.”The Business Contest which we are calling ‘InnoVate Against GBV’ is a crucial entrepreneur support initiative to advocate for social change. Our mission at JICA is to advocate for human security and quality growth through different activities. We are delighted to organize this ‘InnoVate Against GBV’ Contest to bring our mission to life. Our hope is to see more initiatives supported to help curb this challenge,” said Kenji Hayashi, senior representative of JICA Kenya office.

Start-ups

The start-up ecosystem in Kenya has shown immense potential for driving social change. However, there is a critical need for focused efforts to address GBV through entrepreneurial innovation. The ‘InnoVate Against GBV’ contest is designed to bridge this gap by encouraging and supporting start-ups with the potential to make a meaningful impact. “The InnoVate Against GBV contest will provide entrepreneurs – those with a business idea, and early stage businesses – with access to mentorship to help build their businesses into thriving  ventures. Entrepreneurs are the essence of Africa’s future. We are excited to journey with the selected cohort and be part of the change makers,’ said Patricia Jumi, managing director, GrowthAfrica. 

In Kenya, JICA is currently implementing two key technical cooperation projects.  One  of   them   is  aimed at enhancing actions and service deliveries to address gender based violence at county Level, while  the other   focuses   on promoting an ecosystem that supports  small  and  medium  enterprises  ( SMEs)  as  well  as   start-ups. The ‘InnoVate Against GBV’ business plan contest, part of these projects, is designed to drive impactful societal change while fostering collaboration among the private and public sectors, as well as advocates, to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment across Kenya.