Growing up amidst the harsh realities of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), alum Caroline Rotich, knew from an early age that she wanted to make a difference by championing the rights of women and girls in her community. By amplifying the voices of women, supporting training and mentorship programs, and advocating for effective policies that promote gender parity, Caroline works tirelessly to dismantle systemic barriers to gender equality and social justice.
Seeking to gain more knowledge and skills Caroline embarked on an Australia Awards Scholarship and graduated in 2019 from the University of Melbourne with a Master of Public Health. Upon her return to Kenya, and with her newfound skills, and knowledge, she was determined to make a tangible impact. This ambition drove her to revive Kerio Rights Organization in Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya, a community-based non-government organisation (NGO) committed to combating GBV and promoting gender equality.
Although originally founded by a network of women volunteers, including Caroline, in 2010, the Kerio Rights Organization went dormant between 2010 and 2020. After completing her scholarship studies in Australia, Caroline took the initiative to rejuvenate the organisation. Since then, it has grown into a successful NGO delivering impactful outcomes.
More recently, Caroline and her organisation have been instrumental in advocating for and spearheading for the development of the Uasin Gishu County Gender Policy, which was launched in December 2024. The development of this policy stemmed from a combination of her personal commitment to her Reintegration Action Plan (RAP), professional opportunities, and the pressing need to address gender disparities in her region. The policy development process has been comprehensive, encompassing data collection, public participation, and expert consultations to align it with national and international frameworks.
Addressing the many challenges of the Uasin-Gishu County communities requires a layered approach involving community engagement, policy reform, and providing support services to create a more equitable environment for all genders. The top challenges include the implementation of legislation and policies, violence against women and girls (including sexual abuse and domestic violence on physical, emotional, and financial levels), and deep-seated cultural practices and beliefs that limit women’s and girls’ opportunities in terms of education, employment, and leadership. Traditional roles often confine women to domestic duties, hindering their participation in the wider economic and social spheres.
Kerio Rights Organization
As the Executive Director of Kerio Rights Organization, Caroline leads the organisation in its quest to champion gender and women’s rights, especially sexual and reproductive health and rights, and address sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Caroline oversees the strategic direction of their initiatives, ensuring that the organisation’s programs effectively address the pressing needs of women and girls in the community. She is responsible for the wellbeing of her team of five and coordinates with partners and stakeholders to ensure that Kerio Rights Organization’s advocacy and service delivery are impactful and sustainable.
“In my role as the Executive Director of Kerio Rights Organization, I have had the privilege of witnessing the strength and resilience of individuals and communities striving for a better future. My experiences have reinforced my belief in the power of education, awareness, and community engagement in driving social change,” she says.
The key activities of Kerio Rights Organization include community outreaches and education on gender equality, providing access to sexual and reproductive health services, and advocating for policy changes that support women’s rights. A significant part of their work involves addressing issues of sexual and gender-based violence. The organisation provides support services for survivors, including counselling, referral to treatment, legal assistance, and safe spaces. Another focus of the organisation is the prevention of SGBV through education and community engagement.
Although Kerio Rights Organization operates primarily within Uasin Gishu County, with a focus on Kapseret Subcounty where their offices are, their work spans across six sub counties. This helps to reach as many women and girls as possible with their programs and services, particularly in areas most affected by GBV such as Langas Centre, the second biggest slum in Kenya.
The impact of the Kerio Rights Organization is evident from the 2,320 women and girls who received Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services during community clinic outreaches, which included HIV testing, treatment referrals for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and information on teenage pregnancies. Sixteen young female survivors of SGBV were referred to essential services such as medical treatment, psychosocial support, and access to legal resources. Reports from local health facilities showed a 25% increase in the number of women accessing reproductive health services following the community clinic outreaches. Additionally, 42 young women were trained in leadership and advocacy to equip them with the skills to represent their communities, advocate for policy changes, and promote gender equality. Post-training assessments revealed that 60% of the participants have since engaged in local governance forums, with several becoming prominent advocates in local women’s rights initiatives.
A transformative scholarship journey
Caroline reflects on her Australia Awards Scholarship: “I am deeply grateful for the support I received through the Australia Award Scholarship. This educational experience was transformative and provided me with high-quality training, exposure to global perspectives, and the chance to build meaningful networks with students and other organisations from various parts of the world. Interacting with peers from various cultural backgrounds not only broadened my worldview but also strengthened my resolve to bring lasting change to my community and my country.”
According to Caroline, the skills and knowledge she acquired during her studies include policy analysis, advocacy strategies, creating partnerships, understanding gender issues, psychological support techniques, legal frameworks, community development, participatory approaches, and effective communication. These skills have been most useful in the development and enhancement of support services for GBV survivors, delivering training and education programs, and advocating for stronger protective measures and support systems.
The Uasin Gishu County Gender Policy
Caroline serves as the secretary for the Uasin Gishu Gender Policy Development Committee. In this role, she has been actively involved in conducting research, engaging key stakeholders, supporting the documentation of the proceedings of the committee meetings and ensuring that the policy effectively addresses the country’s most pressing gender issues.
This policy addresses gender disparities and structural barriers affecting women and girls, intending to establish a supportive framework for gender equality, gender mainstreaming, and protection of women and girls from gender-based discrimination. By aligning with national development strategies and policies, the Uasin-Gishu County Gender Policy contributes to broader country-specific development objectives and supports Kenya’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities). Stakeholders involved in the policy development process included the Uasin Gishu County Government, the Uasin Gishu County Directorate of Gender, the National Government’s State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action, the Uasin Gishu Civil Society Network, and Women’s Rights Organisations.
“The opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals within my community was a strong motivator for the development of the policy. Improving access to resources, reducing violence, and enhancing opportunities for women and marginalised groups directly supports community well-being,” Caroline adds.
Developing this policy provided a platform to implement best practices and innovative approaches learned during Caroline’s industry placement at YMCA Victoria in 2019, as part of her on-award enrichment activities during her studies in Australia. The YMCA was one of the Australian host organisations participating in the Australia Awards Africa Industry Placement Program at the time.
The policy development process involved multiple stakeholders, including national and local government, religious leaders, community women’s rights organisations, and gender civil society organisations, underscoring a collaborative approach for sustainable impact. It also contributes to the Government’s Uasin-Gishu Integrated Development Plan, which seeks to provide long-term solutions to gender inequality in various sectors of the county government by ensuring equal opportunities and reducing disparities.
Collaboration, networking, and partnerships
Working on the gender policy provided an opportunity to collaborate with various stakeholders such as government agencies, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), and community leaders. These partnerships enhance the policy’s effectiveness and facilitate shared learning. Caroline also called upon her fellow Australia Awards alumni such as Jasmine Rutto, Beryl Anyango and Brenda Okumu, to leverage their expertise for a more robust and effective policy.
The group worked together on community outreach efforts to institutions of higher learning such as universities and colleges to create awareness of gender issues and women’s rights. By combining their collective efforts and sharing resources such as funding, expertise, and materials, they could be more effective with their community-based projects. Through this group Kerio Rights Organization accessed three donor organisation (Light-up Impact Community, The Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW), Urgent Action Fund-Africa (UAF-A) and Konrad Adenauer-Stifftung (KAS)) which provided financial support and technical expertise for the projects.
Caroline also leveraged her connections with international organisations and agencies introduced during her scholarship to secure technical support and partnership opportunities. For example, she signed a Memorandum of Understanding with medical students from the University of Melbourne through the Kenya Village Medical Education (KVME) program to develop targeted messaging regarding public health, infectious diseases, and sexually transmitted infections among women and youth. She also partnered with Grace International Education and Migration, an Australian-based education agency from Melbourne, which connects young Kenyans with learning opportunities at Australian universities. This partnership enabled Kerio Rights Organization to open learning opportunities and scholarships for young and vulnerable girls to study at Australian institutions.
Looking to the futureAlthough the journey and growth of Kerio Rights has been both fulfilling and challenging, the fight for gender equality and social justice is far from over for Caroline. Deeply rooted cultural practices, funding limitations, and gaps in the support of GBV survivors continue to pose challenges. One example is the lack of safe shelters for GBV survivors in Uasin-Gishu County which are not only physical spaces, but also serve as platforms for recovery, empowerment, reintegration, and justice.
Caroline is committed to expanding their reach, strengthening their partnerships, and finding new innovative ways to sustain the change that Kerio Rights Organization and its partners seek.
“We call upon stakeholders, partners, and communities to join us in this mission to build a society free from violence, where every woman and girl can live with dignity and realize her full potential. Together, we can achieve a future where safety, equality, and opportunity are guaranteed for all,” she concludes.
*Caroline recently took part in an Australia Awards Thought Leadership Podcast about her participation in the On-Award Industry Placement Program in 2019 during her time in Australia. You can watch this podcast interview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baGS18CTe7U
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