Seats of Change
- Nairobi
- Ongoing
- GIZ AU
Table of Contents
Overview
Seats of Change is a community journalism initiative by Vice Versa Global that strengthens how women’s leadership and rights are documented, understood, and valued in Kenya’s devolved governance landscape. Implemented under the African Women Advancing Rights and Empowerment in Africa (AWARE) programme funded by GIZ AU, the initiative invests in a cohort of community-based journalists, particularly women, who are rooted in the places where everyday governance unfolds.
Across Kenya, women drive solutions in health, education, land governance, social development, and community organising. Seats of Change builds on this leadership by equipping journalists with ethical, rights-informed, and narrative-sensitive tools that illuminate women’s agency and impact across counties.
The initiative aligns with continental commitments such as the AU’s GEWE Strategy (2018–2028) and Agenda 2063, which emphasise women’s visibility, voice, and leadership as prerequisites for inclusive development.
Partners
Seats of Change is implemented by Vice Versa Global under the AWARE programme funded by GIZ AU (German Cooperation), working in alignment with AU gender and rights frameworks.
Description
Seats of Change strengthens community-rooted storytelling in Turkana, Kilifi, Makueni, and Nairobi, counties where women play essential roles in governance, public services, economic life, and rights advocacy. Through training, mentorship, editorial support, and multimedia production pathways, the initiative helps journalists produce stories that reflect lived experiences and the everyday spaces where rights are promoted, shaped, and realised.
Key Components of the Initiative
- Community Journalism Training & Mentorship
A structured programme that strengthens participants’ skills in ethical reporting, rights-based storytelling, multimedia production, gender-sensitive journalism, and editorial standards.
- Story Development & Multimedia Production
Participants receive editorial guidance, technical support, and mentorship to produce high-quality stories across formats including articles, short videos, photo essays, and audio features.
- Women’s Leadership & Rights Narratives
The initiative focuses on stories that reflect women’s leadership in governance, community organising, service delivery, and civic spaces—highlighting agency, contributions, and lived realities.
- Community Engagement & Public Dialogues
The project includes screenings, community conversations, and civic forums to foster public dialogue and strengthen community participation around the stories produced.
About the AWARE Programme
AWARE (Promotion of Human Rights and Empowerment of Women in Africa) is funded by GIZ AU and works to advance women’s rights, representation, and participation across the continent. It applies a rights-based approach that supports governance, leadership, and gender equality efforts within the African Union ecosystem.
About GIZ AU
The GIZ AU Office works in partnership with African Union institutions to support continental priorities in human rights, gender equality, and inclusive development. Through AWARE, GIZ AU strengthens initiatives that expand women’s leadership, access to resources, and meaningful participation in social and political processes.
About the African Union (AU)
The African Union drives Africa’s political, economic, and social integration, guided by frameworks such as Agenda 2063 and the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Strategy (2018–2028). These continental commitments underpin programmes like AWARE, which promote women’s rights and leadership across member states.
