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GROOTS Kenya has once again made history! We are proud to announce that we have been recognized as the Overall Best NGO for Promoting Gender Equality at the prestigious Diversity and Inclusion Awards & Recognition (DIAR) Awards 2025. This award is a testament of our relentless commitment to empowering grassroots women and their communities, amplifying their voices, and ensuring gender equity in leadership, land rights, economic empowerment, and decision-making processes. It is particularly special since it comes as we celebrate 30 years of grassroots women empowerment.
For nearly three decades, GROOTS Kenya has been at the forefront of transforming communities through champion-led solutions to their identified societal challenges. Through tested models that include; Local to local dialogues, Champions for transformative action, community watch dogs and the champion led model, this recognition validates the work of thousands of grassroots women leaders, community champions, and partners who dedicate their efforts to challenging systemic inequalities and advocating for grassroots women’s rights at all levels. Indeed, grassroots women are a formidable force to be reckoned with, when it comes to real and lasting impact in grassroots transformation.
The DIAR Awards celebrate organizations and individuals making a tangible impact in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across different sectors in Kenya. Being named the best NGO in gender equality reflects the transformative impact of our programs, which include:
This recognition fuels our mission to scale our impact, build stronger alliances, and continue advocating for policies and practices that meaningfully facilitate grassroots women to be at the center of Kenya’s development agenda. It also serves as a challenge—to do more, reach more, and push for greater gender-transformative policies that benefit all women, especially those in marginalized communities – to truly leave no one behind. The 2025 DIAR award is timely as GROOTS Kenya celebrates 30 years of impacting and transforming the lives of grassroots women in Kenya.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our grassroots champions, partners, stakeholders, and supporters who have and continue to walk this journey with us. This award belongs to every grassroot woman who has dared to challenge the status quo, every community leader who has driven transformative change, and every partner who believes in and supports our vision.
The journey towards gender justice is far from over, but together, we are unstoppable!
1st Edition - The Standard Newspaper (19th March 2025) page 9
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From Baringo to Kilifi, Nakuru to Kakamega, Kiambu to Tana River, Laikipia to Kitui, Nairobi to Busia, Nyandarua to Murang’a – Grassroots Women Are Leading the Way!
Thirty years ago, a movement was born out of necessity and urgency. The voices of grassroots women—women who take care of the land, raise families, run businesses, and drive community change—were missing from key decision-making spaces. In 1995, inspired by the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted in Beijing. China at the 4th World Conference on Women, GROOTS Kenya was founded to bridge that gap, ensuring that these women not only participate meaningfully but that they are leading and contributing to shaping policies that impact their lives.
Fast forward to today, and the movement has grown into a national force spanning 22 counties, over 5,000 women-led groups, and countless impactful stories of women who have defied the odds to take up leadership, claim land rights, fight gender-based violence (GBV), and build economic resilience.
“The Journey of GROOTS Kenya at 30” – Testimonials from grassroots champions across pioneering counties – Collated videos taken from the subcounty movement building activity.
As we mark this 30-year milestone, grassroots women have been leading their own celebrations at the sub-county and county levels across 12 pioneering counties:
Baringo | Kilifi | Nakuru | Kakamega | Kiambu | Tana River | Laikipia | Kitui | Nairobi | Busia | Nyandarua | Murang’a
In these counties, women have gathered in their communities, reflecting on their journeys—from securing women’s land rights to becoming elected leaders, from overcoming ending violence to building thriving enterprises and nurturing their families and communities.
Photo Gallery: County-Level Celebrations & Community Stories
Each event has been a powerful reminder that real transformation begins at the grassroots level. These celebrations are not just about the past 30 years; they are about strengthening the intergenerational foundations built over the three decades and reclaiming the future.
The momentum now builds toward Tuesday, March 4, 2025, when GROOTS Kenya will host a national culmination event in Kiambu County. This gathering will bring together:
This historic event will feature:
🗣 Keynote speeches from women who have led transformative change
🏆 Recognition of grassroots champions who have shaped the movement
📢 A call to action for the next decade of GROOTS Kenya
GROOTS Kenya at 30 is more than a celebration—it is a renewed commitment to amplifying the voices of grassroots women in leadership, governance, and economic empowerment. The Beijing+30 moment reminds us that while progress has been made, the promise for an equal, just, inclusive and transformed society is still not achieved.
Grassroots women remain on the frontlines of climate justice, economic justice, and social justice. Their stories are stories of power, determination, and unwavering belief that communities thrive when women in all their diversities are at the decision-making table.
Join us in this historic celebration. Follow the journey, share the stories, and be part of the movement!
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#GROOTSKenyaAt30 | #Beijing30
