Empowering Women and Youth in Informal Settlements

• Maisha Dhabiti Foundation is a transformative organization dedicated to empowering women and youth living in Kenya’s informal settlements. With representatives in major settlements across the country and headquarters in Pangani, near Mlango Kubwa, we focus on uplifting vulnerable populations. Our primary target group consists of youth aged 35 years and below and women under 45, many of whom face daily struggles as informal workers, including small business owners, laundry workers, housemaids, and other casual employees.
• These individuals often endure significant challenges, such as human rights violations, legal uncertainties, and financial instability, exacerbated by a lack of formal skills or employment contracts.

Challenges Faced by Women in Informal Settlements

1. Human Rights Violations Without legal protections, many women face exploitation, unsafe working conditions, and unfair treatment.
2. Lack of Employment Contracts The absence of formal agreements leaves them vulnerable to unfair dismissal and limits access to redress mechanisms.
3. Exclusion from Essential Services Informal employment often excludes workers from social security, healthcare, and other critical benefits.
4. Economic Hardships Many earn far below the national minimum wage, with daily wages between KES 200–400 (USD 1.50–3.00), barely enough to cover basic needs.

Our Solution:

Empowering Through Economic Independence Maisha Dhabiti Foundation provides a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to economic empowerment. Through our microfinance systems, financial literacy programs, and skills training, we equip women with the tools to break the cycle of poverty and build sustainable livelihoods.

Key Initiatives

1. Financial Literacy and Microfinance We offer low-interest loans and savings programs to help women establish small businesses, diversify income, and gain financial independence.
2. Skills Training for Economic Empowerment We provide training in housekeeping, catering, hairdressing, dressmaking, carpentry, and building skills, enabling women to acquire marketable skills and explore new career paths.
3. Advocacy and Legal Support By working with legal experts and policymakers, we advocate for better legal protections, fair wages, and improved working conditions for informal workers.
4. Community Building We foster solidarity among women through collective groups, allowing them to pool resources and build a stronger, unified voice for change.
5. Welfare Support Programs Through monthly contributions ranging from KES 100 to 1,000, women can create a safety net to support each other during hardships, including education, funerals, and business challenges.

The Data Behind the Need

Housemaids and Domestic Helpers: Approximately 2 million women work in households across Kenya, earning an average of KES 300–500 (USD 2.20–3.60) per day, well below the national minimum wage. Laundry Workers (Dobby Women): Around 200,000 women work as laundry workers in wealthier neighborhoods, earning KES 200–300 (USD 1.50–2.20) per load of laundry with inconsistent employment. Informal Small Business Workers: Roughly 500,000 women are employed in small informal businesses, earning KES 200–400 (USD 1.50–3.00) daily.

Our Target Group

Maisha Dhabiti primarily focuses on women aged 18–45 and the youth, a demographic highly vulnerable to economic and social exploitation. By addressing their unique challenges, we aim to create opportunities for sustainable development and long-term stability.

Conclusion

Maisha Dhabiti Foundation is a beacon of hope for women and youth in Kenya’s informal settlements. We strive to address their economic, legal, and social challenges by fostering empowerment and resilience. Through financial aid, skills development, advocacy, and community building, we are not just changing individual lives; we are creating a movement for social justice and economic empowerment that will ripple across generations.