August 24th 2024 the gender based violence recovery center in Machakos, Kenya was officially opened.
The center was developed within the framework of the project ”Action for Gender Equality” – a project that was a collaboration between Robertsfors Municipality, Sweden and Machakos County Government, Kenya.
The project was funded by Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy (ICLD) and was carried out during 2017-2021. The project was delayed due to the Corona pandemic, but was finalized with a dissemination conference in Machakos in which Swedish organisations participated online.
Parts of the facilities were put in place during 2021. It has taken some time for the center to be equipped and organized in the way that it was possible to carry out an official opening by the governor of Machakos County, and with other women leaders in Kenya.
I had different roles in that project; consultant in the first phase of the project and coordinator and project manager in the final phase of the project due to staff turnover in Robertsfors Municipality.
Many people, on different positions, in Robertsfors Municipality and Machakos County Government were involved in this project.
The parties are still working together, but this time on how to mitigate and adapt to climate change. They are also participating in one of ICLD:s international networks – the Climate Action Network – where local governments from five countries learn and exchange knowledge, experiences and ideas.
When I got to know that the center was officially opened – it became a day of celebration.