School teachers in Kenya formed the Rock Women Group to improve the lives of women and children. At left in photo is UUSC Program Director Atema Eclai.

(Photo by Johanna Rittenburg/UUSC)


 

 

 

On March 8, International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world. Since 1911, this day has been an occasion to review how far women have come in their struggle for equality, peace, and access to their rights. It is also a day to honor the contributions that women, past and present, have made to human rights and social justice, and to recognize the challenges they still face.

Women are often the most marginalized population in a society, yet they are also catalysts for positive social change around issues that affect their lives and the lives of their families.

The Rock Women Group in Nairobi, Kenya is such a force.

A UUSC program partner, the Rock Women are putting women’s issues on the forefront of a global human rights and social justice agenda. Working with children living Nairobi’s slums, they help to train child workers in safe, sustainable trades, provide “job ladders” to sustainable informal sector jobs, and place child workers in alternative “off-hour” schools.

The Rock Women Group began as a gathering of teachers that offered support and prayers to each other in the face of the harsh realities of their work in the poorest areas of Nairobi. Bearing daily witness to the overwhelming poverty and destitution that surrounded them, they decided to take action. Their support for each other slowly turned into a plan of action that addresses one of the most difficult issues of our time: child labor.

Child labor is born out of desperate need. In the face of overwhelming economic hardship, almost 246 million children around the world must work to support their family’s survival. Unfortunately for many children, this means working in dangerous and exploitative fields such as domestic work, gravel picking, street vending, and sex work. Girls are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of child labor. In addition, more and more children are finding themselves thrust into the sole position as “heads of household,” due to loss of their parents from HIV/AIDS.

Using their teaching positions to effective advantage, the women of the Rock Women Group teach children, particularly girls, and their families about the dangers associated with sex work and HIV/AIDS, train children in sustainable and healthy jobs, and create a “job ladder” system that allows child workers to connect to worker cooperatives within the informal sector, guaranteeing safe placement of children in working positions.

The loss of educational opportunities can often be just as detrimental to a child’s access to rights and opportunities. The Rock Women work with guardians and parents of child workers to provide “alternative” schools that are uniquely suited to addressing the needs and schedules of children heads of household. Students learn basic math, reading, and writing, a foundation of skills and education for achieving higher paying jobs in the future, thereby breaking the cycle of economic hardship for their families.

Finally, the Rock Women Group tackles injustices at the policy level. In addition to their own lobbying, the teachers engage children and allies in effectively advocating for their rights.

On International Women’s Day, it is important to reflect and take stock of the work that is being done by and for women’s rights. The women of the Rock Women Group are a shining example of what a small group of concerned citizens can do when faced with an overwhelming social injustice.

In their own words, “Slowly, creatively, and surely we will succeed.”

Not only should they be honored on March 8, but every other day of the year as well.

Posted March 7, 2007