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Championing Human Rights,Equality and Sustainable Development

Who We Are

The Marsabit Women Advocacy and Development Organization (MWADO) is a community-based organization founded in 2003 to champion the rights of women, girls, and marginalized communities in Marsabit County, Northern Kenya. For more than two decades, MWADO has worked at the frontline of combating gender-based violence, harmful traditional practices, and exclusion from social, economic, and political life. Mwado Operates in a region marked by pastoralist livelihoods, recurrent droughts, resource conflicts, and entrenched gender inequalities, MWADO seeks to advance gender equality, strengthen resilience, and promote peace and social cohesion.MWADO’s vision is “a world where women, girls, and marginalized communities live free from violence, enjoy equal rights, and lead resilient, empowered lives.” It aligns with global, national, and county development priorities, while responding to the lived realities of the communities MWADO serves.

MWADO works closely with chiefs, assistant chiefs, community elders, religious leaders, and other local stakeholders to prevent and respond to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child marriage, and other harmful cultural practices

imgl2423 — MWADO works closely with religious leaders to promote positive social norms and eliminate harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child marriage, and gender-based violence. Through interfaith dialogues, community awareness forums, advocacy campaigns, and capacity-building initiatives, religious leaders are empowered to champion the protection of women, girls, and children within their communities.

What We Do

01.

— Gender equality and women’s empowerment

promoting women’s leadership, economic opportunities, and meaningful participation while ending SGBV and Harmful Practices – tackling FGM, child marriage, domestic violence, and technology-facilitated GBV.

02.

— Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights

Improving access to information and services for women, youth, and adolescents. Through community awareness, advocacy, capacity building, and partnerships with health providers, MWADO empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being, while addressing barriers such as harmful cultural practices, gender inequality, and limited access to essential reproductive health services.

03.

— Peacebuilding, conflict management and Social Cohesion

fostering dialogue, inter-communal understanding, and cross-border peace in Marsabit and the Borana Zone of Ethiopia.Through inclusive engagement, conflict prevention initiatives, mediation efforts, and community-led peace processes, MWADO promotes peaceful coexistence, strengthens social cohesion, and supports sustainable peace and development across border communitie

04.

— Climate resilience and humanitarian response

strengthening livelihoods, food security, and adaptive capacity. Strengthening livelihoods, enhancing food security, and building the adaptive capacity of communities to withstand climate change, drought, and other socio-economic challenges.

05.

— Child Protection

MWADO works to ensure that children, particularly those living in marginalized and vulnerable communities, grow up in safe, nurturing and protective environments. We work with children, families, communities, schools, government institutions and frontline service providers to prevent and respond to violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation, harmful practices and other risks affecting children.

06.

— Institutional growth and sustainability

enhancing governance, advocacy and policy influence, resource mobilization, humanitarian preparedness, and organizational capacity to ensure MWADO’s long-term effectiveness and resilience.

TUNNE KOMBA community member

I am proud to serve as a Champion of Change after receiving training from MWADO. The training greatly enhanced my understanding of gender equality, human rights, child protection, and the prevention of harmful practices such as gender-based violence. It equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage community members in meaningful discussions, challenge harmful social norms, and promote the rights and well-being of women, girls, and other vulnerable groups.

A Brighter Future — Anti-FGM clubs of St john primary,Marsabit.

Through the awareness sessions, mentorship, and school-based activities, we have gained a better understanding of the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child marriage, and other forms of violence against children. The program has increased our confidence to speak about our rights, advocate for the protection of girls, and encourage our peers to remain in school and pursue their dreams

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Your Support Creates Lasting Change!

At Marsabit Women Advocacy and Development Organization (MWADO), we work alongside women, youth, children, and vulnerable communities to promote human rights, gender equality, peacebuilding, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods across Marsabit County and neighboring cross-border communities

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Championing Human Rights,Equality and Sustainable Development

Who We Are

What We Do

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