|
Kwale Women's Regional Assembly |
 | Kwale Women’s Regional Assembly was launched in February 2007, with Kauchi Chivumba being elected its convener. Kauchi’s interests include advocating for human rights, especially the girl child’s and women’s, curving behaviour change, eliminating traditional practices which can affect our health (HIV AIDS ) and improving the economic status of the rural women. To this effect, she is the founder of Role Models Club, a community based organization in Kinango district, which fights for the plight of the girl child and ensures empowerment of women. |
| Prior to taking up the added role of the Kwale WRA convener, Kauchi worked as a social worker in Kwale district, which saw her participate in the 4th World Women Conference in Beijing. One key area of concern at this conference, was the girl child’s education. Kauchi felt that Kwale was a typical example of a district where the girl child is neglected, hence the birth of the Role Models Club. This club to date has sponsored 70 girls’ education. In this regard, Kauchi has received various awards like the Agatha Uwillingiyamana award on innovative achievement in Female Education in Africa, Bahati E V award on a five years successful & trustful working relationship—(Bahati E V is one of the Role Models Club’s development partners). She has also received a similar award from Manos Unidas and a Head of State Commendation from the government of Kenya. As the Caucus WRA convener for Kwale, Kauchi works with other CBOs and NGOs to mobilize, advocate and sensitize the community on their rights. She has also served as a commissioner with the Constitution Review Commission in Bomas, representing women organizations from the Coast Province, and has advocated and informed people on the proposed constitution of Kenya as well as encouraged Kenyans to register as voters with the Interim Independent Electoral Commission - in preparation for the August 4th 2010 referendum on the Proposed Kenyan Constitution. Kauchi also encourages women to take political, government and parastatal board leadership positions, and is a true believer of the Say No to Violence Against Women Campaign. Other social changes that Kauchi would like to see include behavioural change that would end the spread of HIV/AIDS, for example, an end to wife inheritance, female circumcision and drug abuse. She is convinced that poverty is the cause of some of these social problems like drug addiction and therefore introduces women to financial institutions that can provide them with loans for support towards the growth of their small scale businesses, which she initially helps the women and youth in setting up. |
 | | |
|
