Kwale County selected for UN-led gender-responsive blue economy programme
UN Women will partner with Hand in Hand East Africa to deliver activities in Tsunza, Ukunda and Shimoni, ensuring gender considerations are embedded throughout the interventions.
Kwale County has been selected for a new United Nations programme designed to strengthen a gender-responsive and environmentally sustainable blue economy, with the initiative expected to promote circular business models, deepen financial innovation and rehabilitate coastal ecosystems using nature-based approaches.
UN Women will partner with Hand in Hand East Africa to deliver activities in Tsunza, Ukunda and Shimoni, ensuring gender considerations are embedded throughout the interventions.
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A UN Women delegation led by Deputy Country Representative Dan Bazira met Governor Fatuma Achani on Monday to brief county officials on the rollout of the four-year joint initiative.
The project, funded by the Government of Canada through the Multi-Partner Trust Fund, is being implemented by UN Women, FAO, UNIDO and UNEP across Kwale and Lamu counties.
Governor Achani said the county welcomes the partnership, noting that her administration has been prioritising women’s and youth participation in local economic development.
“Kwale County is fully committed to building an inclusive economy where women and young people are at the centre of transformation,” she said. She added that the initiative aligns with existing strategies to support empowerment groups.
“We embrace this collaboration because it strengthens our efforts in the Blue Economy, gender equality and community resilience,” the governor said.
UN officials said Kwale was chosen due to its strategic coastal location and its history of engaging in gender and community-focused programmes. They referenced previous collaborations, including HURIA’s Women, Peace and Security project, World Vision’s SHIELD programme and NCCK’s Wadada wa Pawa initiative.
Bazira commended the county’s leadership on gender equality and affirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting county institutions.
“Kwale continues to stand out as a county where gender equality is not just spoken about, it is practised and prioritised,” he said.
“We value the Governor’s leadership, and this partnership will build on progress already made to ensure coastal communities benefit from a sustainable and inclusive Blue Economy.”
The joint programme will focus on three areas of gender-responsive financing and digital innovation, stronger policy and institutional frameworks for ecosystem restoration and enhanced skills for green jobs, circular enterprises and access to higher-value markets.
At least 1,000 beneficiaries, 70 per cent women and 30 per cent youth, are expected to be supported to join blue and circular economy value chains.
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