Who We Are
About Us
Pambazuko La Wanawake Magharibi (PALAWAMA) is a leading women’s rights organization in Kenya, founded in 2006 and legally registered in 2011. As a grassroots network of over 17 women and youth groups across Western and Nyanza regions, we champion gender equality, combat gender-based violence (GBV), and drive economic empowerment for women and girls. With a reach of 10,000 women and 7,000 youth annually, we foster inclusive communities where every voice counts. Join us in building a violence-free Kenya where women lead and prosper.
Our Four Strategic Pillars
The Engine of Change
| Pillar | Vision in Action | Key Intervention Areas | Annual Reach |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. End Gender-Based Violence (GBV) | From fear to freedom – creating safe homes, safe streets, safe futures | Promotion of knowledge and advocacy to address GBV against women and girls | 10,000+ women & girls |
| 2. Economic Empowerment for Women and Out-of-School Girls | From dropout to CEO – turning skills into income, poverty into prosperity | Organizing women and girls out of school for economic impact | 7,000+ youth trained |
| 3. Women in Leadership & Governance | From margins to the table – ensuring women shape laws, budgets, and futures | Women’s and girls’ participation in governance and decision-making | 250+ leaders trained |
| 4. Institutional Strengthening & Sustainability | From survival to thriving – building a resilient, transparent, and impactful organization | Institutional strengthening for impact | 100% program sustainability target by 2028 |
Our Programs
A just, dignified, and safe environment for women and vulnerable young people to equally participate in development.
End the Silence. Break the Cycle. Reclaim Your Power. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains one of the most urgent human rights and public health crises in Kenya. In Western Kenya, women and girls experience disproportionately high rates of: Intimate Partner Violence...
From Vulnerability to Victory. Build Your Future. Economic exclusion is a leading driver of poverty, inequality, and gender-based violence in Western Kenya. Limited access to education, capital, markets, and assets forces many women and girls into dependency and...
Your Voice. Your Seat. Your Power. Despite Kenya’s constitutional commitments, women and youth remain significantly underrepresented in leadership and governance. This exclusion weakens policy outcomes in health, education, economic development, and social protection....
How We Work
Kenya remains committed to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through coordinated government strategies supported by a broad coalition of stakeholders, including NGOs, the private sector, communities, and national and county government agencies. Through these partnerships, stakeholders design and implement sustainable, high-impact programs that address poverty reduction, health, education, gender equality, and human rights, ensuring inclusive development nationwide.
Aligned with these national objectives, Pambazuko La Wanawake Magharibi (PALAWAMA), a leading women’s rights organization in Western Kenya, has played a transformative role since 2006. As a grassroots network of over 17 women and youth groups across Western and Nyanza regions, PALAWAMA advances gender equality, combats gender-based violence (GBV), and promotes women’s and girls’ economic empowerment.
Our interventions include GBV prevention and case management trainings, psychosocial counselling and legal aid on violence, child custody, and land and property rights; community sensitization on digital GBV and human rights; economic empowerment initiatives targeting out-of-school girls; and advocacy platforms such as the 16 Days of Activism and Human Rights Day. Collectively, these integrated efforts empower more than 10,000 women and girls annually, contributing to safer, more equitable communities across Kenya.
Latest News Updates
Our strategic objective is to empower #women and #girls living in poverty and exclusion to challenge violence and Secure Political Participation. #AccessToJusticeForAll #accesstojustice #palawamaadvocates #sendhelpto21094
PALAWAMA actively participated in the WINAM LAW COURTS open day to enhance access to justice through public awareness,education, and tree planting. This is in line with the 21094 SMS platform. #sendhelpto21094 #actionaidinternationalkenya #accesstojustice #UNDPAfrica
Courtesy#actionaidinternationalkenya, which is committed to creating a safe working culture where everyone's rights are being protected. #donoharm #palawamaadvocates #accesstojustice
Inception meeting with stakeholders on Access to Justice and Security Project phase two in Kisumu County. #palawamaadvocates #accesstojustice #actionaidinternationalkenya #sendhelpto21094 #NLAS #LSK #FIDA #MOH #MOE
PALAWAMA embraces meaningful partnerships with various stakeholders and like-minded people in the fight against Sexual and Gender Based violence. #palawamaadvocates #zerotolerance #sendhelpto21094
The staff and CEO going through the Strategic Plan review at Good Samaritan Hotel in Kisumu. #strategicplandevelopment, #palawanaadvocates, #strategicplanreview
PALAWAMA held a Women Leadership Kongamano under the Women Voices and Leadership Project courtesy CRAWN Trust in Kisumu County. #womenvoicesleadership #palawamaadvocates #womenvoices #womenleadership
Training of case managers and village managers in Nyalenda Area on case management and referral pathways.This is in line with the 21094 SMS platform courtesy ActionAid Kenya #palawamaadvocates #SMSHELPTO21094 #accesstojustice
H.E DR. Mathew Owili, the Deputy Governor,Kisumu County, was in a session during the Public Benefit Organisation's week exhibition at the sports ground in Kisumu County courtesy ActionAid Kenya and UNDP Kenya #palawamaadvocates
Our Partners & Sponsors
