Clean Air Catalyst Nairobi Joins 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

By Ivy Murgor, December 8, 2023

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that runs from November 25th to December 10th and gives an opportunity for people around the world to unite to raise awareness about gender-based violence, challenge discriminatory attitudes and call for improved laws and services to end violence against women. To commemorate 16 Days of Activism this year Clean Air Catalyst partnered with Vital Strategies, Nairobi City County Government, Uraia Trust and GROOTS-Kenya to host the Women’s Dialogue Conference.

The conference, Utu and ubuntu in ending gENDer-based violence through clean air action, took place on November 29-30 2023, and drew the attention of the 74 stakeholders present on the need to address the nexus relationship between air pollution and gender-based violence.

During the conference, speakers challenged the stakeholders present on the need to address the issues of gendered impacts of air pollution. One of the community gatekeepers explained that the number of domestic violence cases in the informal settlements was on the rise. She continued by explaining how women who have experienced a miscarriage - sometimes attributed to exposure and the impact of air pollution - faced emotional and physical abuse by their spouses and relatives.

As it concluded, the conference further called for strengthened partnerships to address the issues affecting women in the country. Some of the outcomes from the conference included:

1. Sparked conversations on the nexus relationship between air pollution and violence against women.

2. It was an avenue to build agency amongst women to participate and lead the solutions processes for air pollution.

3. Call to action for the different stakeholders towards addressing air pollution and violence against women.

4. Called for more investments toward a violent-free world and gender-responsive clean air actions.