Betty Adera Foundation

Y-WISE PROJECT SUMMARY

Unlocking potentials

Project Summary

Project Title: Y-WISE – Young Women’s Innovation for Sustainable Empowerment

Duration: 12 months 

Location: Suna West Sub-County, Migori County, Kenya

Implementing Organization: Betty Adera Foundation (BAF)

The Challenge

Young women in Suna West (especially young mothers and women with disabilities) face high unemployment, digital exclusion, and limited opportunities for entrepreneurship. Climate change, poverty, and entrenched gender norms further worsen their vulnerability.

The Project

  • Y-WISE introduces an innovative rural transformation model anchored on three community-led, solar-powered Innovation/ICT Hubs. These hubs integrate:
  • Digital Literacy & Financial Training – equipping 100 young women with ICT and business skills.
  • Mentorship & Seed Funding – linking recent graduates from local universities/TVETs as mentors and providing startup support.
  • Enterprise Incubation – supporting women to establish climate-smart, tech-enabled small businesses.

Beneficiaries

  • Direct: 100 young women (18–35 years), 10% with disabilities, majority young mothers.
  • Indirect: ~300 community members, families, graduates, and youth groups.

Innovation

  • Urban–Rural Exchange: Local graduates return as mentors, bridging knowledge gaps
  • Inclusion: Accessibility features (ramps, screen readers, adapted training).
  • Community Ownership: Hubs managed by local committees with revolving funds for sustainability.

Sustainability

  • Revolving microgrant fund (beneficiaries reinvest profits).
  • Low-cost hub services (internet, printing, mentorship).
  • Alumni return as trainers/mentors.
  • Partnerships with county government and TVETs.

Expected Change

Young women become digitally equipped, economically active, and socially confident leaders — creating enterprises, mentoring peers, and transforming rural livelihoods.

    1. Enhance knowledge and life skills on sexual and reproductive health among young adolescent girls aged 10–14.
    2. Prevent early marriages, teen pregnancies, and school dropouts by equipping girls with knowledge, confidence, and support systems.
    3. Reduce harmful cultural practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage through positive behavior change and community dialogue.
    4. Increase access to SRHR services and dignity kits for girls in underserved rural areas.
    Strengthen community support systems for girls’ education, rights, and health through intergenerational mentorship and advocacy.
  1. Auntie Circles: Safe, intergenerational spaces led by trusted female mentors (“Aunties”) providing girl-centered SRHR education, psychosocial support, and mentorship.
  2. SRHR Education: Age-appropriate and culturally sensitive health education delivered weekly through participatory methods.
  3. Dignity Kits Distribution: Provision of reusable sanitary pads, undergarments, soap, and information materials to enhance menstrual health and school attendance.
  4. Community Engagement: Engagement of parents, elders, men, and local leaders to shift norms and create enabling environments for girls.
  1. Improved SRHR knowledge, confidence, and agency among adolescent girls.
  2. Reduced incidence of early marriages, teen pregnancies, and school dropouts in the target communities.
  3. Increased school retention and reduced absenteeism due to improved menstrual health management.
  4. Strengthened community awareness and rejection of harmful practices such as FGM and child marriage.
  5. Emergence of local champions—mentors, parents, and leaders—who support girls’ rights, education, and well-being.