SheCan: Fostering Change From Within The Community

Isra Yahya, who leads one of the few women-led refugee-led organisations (RLOs) in Kakuma talks about tackling gender-based violence in Kakuma Refugee Camp and the power of localisation through collaboration

By Isra Yahya as told to Samuel Hall team

This narrative is a part of our ‘Everyday Women Leaders Series’ which highlights everyday women leaders, their stories, and their hopes. Read the other stories here.

I n the heart of Kakuma, Kenya, a significant chapter of my life unfolded — a chapter where dusty streets held promises of a brighter future for young women.

‘My name is Isra Yahya, and I am a registered refugee residing in Kakuma three. When I was six years old, my family and I were forced to flee our hometown in Sudan in search of safety from the horrors of conflict.

We found ourselves in Kakuma, a refugee camp in Kenya, where resources were scarce, and access to education and personal growth seemed like distant dreams. As a child, I had always wanted to be a journalist so that I could write and share stories about the violence I saw facing women. I also wanted to help them and ensure that every girl or woman would be provided the opportunity of education.

As a woman, I encountered a series of challenges while trying to pursue my dream, including a lack of support from family and friends who left me to navigate difficult situations without guidance. No one wanted to hear my ideas or questions and it was not easy to find opportunities. Additionally, I was constantly demoralised — as where I come from, people are not used to seeing women in leadership roles. Despite these obstacles, I persevered, determined to overcome them and make progress in my endeavours. When you have a mission to achieve, like I did, there is no challenge you can’t overcome.

This mission, coupled with the urgency to tackle the alarming rates of teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence (GBV) within the community, led me to co-found a community-based organisation ‘SheCan’ with five other women last year in March. We were driven by a vision to empower women and equip girls with essential life skills.

Our journey was not without its challenges. As refugees, registering our initiative involved navigating complex documentation and bureaucracy. Additionally, securing a physical space for our operations was not easy as funding was (and continues to be) a persistent issue — as is the case for many local organisations. However, despite these obstacles, we persevered.

Today, we have a physical office in Kakuma-3 with 18 board members, all registered refugees and including both males and females — emphasising our commitment to gender equality. Our work covers crucial areas such as sexual and reproductive health, self-hygiene, mental well-being, and child protection.

Working closely with girls under 18, we ensure they understand their rights and know where to report violations. The SheCan Initiative also promotes livelihoods by identifying talents among the women and girls we serve and connecting them with opportunities.

I believe we are an essential local organisation working in protection programming in Kakuma Refugee camp — where rapes and gender-based violence are not just rampant but also severely under-reported. What compounds this issue is that, often, when a perpetrator is convicted, they rejoin the community within a short span. This situation raises serious concerns regarding the safety and well-being of girls and women in the community, with the unsettling possibility of further sexual assault.

Our programmes empower young girls and women with the knowledge and skills to safeguard their rights. People with basic skills are better equipped to recognise and prevent violations of their rights. I am a trained paralegal, having received formal training in this capacity through the support of RELON (Network of Refugee-led Organisations in Kenya), which helps me address cases of gender-based violence (GBV). We also refer GBV cases to organisations like DRC or IRC for appropriate assistance.

The Value of Community-Based Initiatives in Supporting Refugees

Several local actors like SheCan are leading protection programming within camps, helping several international organisations better support the community. These RLOs, such as Action Les des Progress and Kalobeyei Initiative for a Better Life, have been working tirelessly across various sectors, demonstrating a commitment to not leaving any refugee behind.

Partnering with us holds immense benefits for international organisations, mainly because we are deeply rooted in the community, allowing us to understand the struggles intimately and needs that our fellow community members endure.

SheCan Initiative is led by women, many of whom have personally experienced the challenges of gender-based violence (GBV), and most are refugees. Whether through their experiences at home or within the camp, they have gained insights into women’s specific issues and the solutions they require.

Collaborating with us ensures international organisations receive data that is contextually rich and accurate and based on firsthand experiences of women. Compared to outsiders who might lack a nuanced understanding of our community’s intricacies, we live here, experience the daily challenges, and comprehend the depths of pain and adversity our community members endure.

Moreover, our shared mission revolves around empowering women. By partnering with SheCan, organisations contribute to the betterment of the broader community and play a pivotal role in advancing the leadership journeys of the women who work tirelessly as volunteers within our organisation. Empowering these women facilitates a positive ripple effect, propelling the entire community forward.

Our strong relationship with the community is a testament to our impact. SheCan Initiative is one of the few women-led organisations within the camp and the wider community. The community’s unwavering support extends from religious leaders to community leaders, including block leaders and women representatives. We have reached 6,500+ beneficiaries in just over a year.

Moreover, the community has responded positively to and contributed to our initiatives.

For instance, our local doctors have witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on young girls, particularly during childbirth. They’ve actively engaged with the community, educating them about FGM’s often life-altering consequences. As a result, we’ve seen a significant decline in FGM cases within our community.

This shift reflects the community’s growing understanding of issues, motivating them to take charge of their protection. They’ve increasingly relied on their own resources and knowledge to combat this practice, reducing the need for external intervention.

Localisation — A Win-Win Partnership For Impact

This amplifies the potential for meaningful collaborations with international organisations. Localisation is a win-win situation because we, too, will benefit from the partnership.

There is a perception that outsiders, often referred to as “foreigners,” are more effective in providing support. Thus, if international organisations align with the SheCan Initiative, it would likely boost the credibility and visibility of our organisation. The mere announcement of such a partnership would probably attract more clients to SheCan, increasing our capacity to serve the community. It will also open doors to potential future partnerships with other organisations.

This expanded network could also enhance the skills and capabilities of our facilitators and contribute to the overall improvement of our operational strategies, especially in areas like protection. Through such collaborations, we may discover more effective approaches to addressing needs than we have previously employed, driving progress and positive change within our community.

For local organisations, particularly those operating in refugee settings, I have one crucial message: Challenges will be abundant, but it’s essential to persevere as long as you have missions to accomplish. Without a clear sense of purpose and missions, it becomes significantly more challenging, and many individuals may find themselves tempted to give up. I strongly advise anyone reading this to establish clear missions and goals, put them in writing, and use them as guiding principles.

Having a well-defined mission and goals will not only provide direction but also serve as a source of motivation and resilience in the face of adversity, helping you stay determined to make a meaningful impact in your work.’