ECONOMIC JUSTICE AND RIGHTS

Under the economic justice and rights advocacy pillar, Women Students Mentorship Assocaition (WOSWA) focuses on:
a)Unpaid Care Work and the Care Economy

Women Students Mentorship Association (WOSWA) recognizes that unpaid care work forms a critical yet often overlooked foundation of daily life. Within the university setting and other institutions of higher learning, many female students experience the weight of unpaid care responsibilities, from tending to siblings, caring for the elderly family members, supporting households, and caring for their own children alongside the demands of academic life and, in some cases, part-time employment.

b)Dignified and Fulfilling Work for Young Women

Women Students Mentorship Association (WOSWA) advocates for fair labour practices, equal pay for equal work, and safe learning and working environments free form exploitation. Through campaigns such as “Kazi Sio Kazi Tu! – Not Just Work, But Dignified and Fulfilling Work for Youth”, we engage students, institutions, and policymakers to promote gender-responsive labour markets and eliminate exploitation and harassment in workplaces. For Women Students Mentorship Association (WOSWA), dignified and fulfilling work embodies fair pay, safety, respect, opportunity, and an enabling environment for young women to work with dignity, free from discrimination and exploitation.

c)Women Economic Empowerment

Empowering Women Students Through Sustainable Opportunities Economic hardships remain one of the major barriers to academic success for many university students in Kenya. A significant percentage of students struggle to meet daily essentials such as food, accommodation, and personal care items. For female students, these challenges are often compounded by gender-specific vulnerabilities including limited access to financial support, social expectations, and, in some cases, caregiving responsibilities. Women Students Mentorship Association (WOSWA), creates avenues for empowering female students to become self-reliant. Female students facing financial challenges and hardship are invited to participate in the WOSWA economic empowerment initiatives that instead of offering short-term aid, provides long-term, sustainable solutions. Through our Exhibition Booths in universities and community events, students sell their creative work from crochet and beadwork to fashion design hence enabling them to earn an income and gain entrepreneurial experience. Women Students Mentorship Association (WOSWA) also host peer-to-peer training workshops, where members share skills and learn how to monetize their talents. This initiative promotes self-reliance, creativity, and sisterhood, helping participating members to build confidence and financial independence. WOSWA’s training programs emphasize innovation, digital inclusion, and access to financing for youth- and women-led enterprises.

WOSWA WEE Hub Market

The WOSWA WEE Hub Market is a vibrant innovation and creative enterprise space under the Women Students Mentorship Association (WOSWA) Women Economic Empowerment programme. It provides a platform for young women at the Higher Learning Institutions to showcase, sell, and promote their products and services — from fashion and crafts to digital and creative solutions. The market champions women’s economic empowerment by nurturing entrepreneurship, creativity, and sustainability among students. It serves as both an innovation marketplace and a hub for capacity building, linking student innovators to customers, mentors, and collaborators.

Featured Student Entrepreneurship Ventures

1.https://wa.me/c/254793842492 by Audrey Wambui
Audrey Wambui is a student of International Studies at the University of Nairobi, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and the creative force behind Fanime Frenzy — a vibrant space where art, fashion, and emotion intersect. Inspired by her love for culture and self-expression, Audrey designs fashion pieces that tell stories without words. As she beautifully puts it, “Every piece I make is a small reminder that fashion can speak, even when you don’t.” Her work embodies the power of creativity as a form of identity, confidence, and communication, reflecting the spirit of empowered young women that WOSWA continues to nurture.

2.Gaagi by Ernestine Ondijo Adhiambo

Ernestine is a Student of Geospatial and Space Technology, from The University of Nairobi, Faculty of Engineering. She is the innovative force behind Gaagi — a sustainability-driven fashion ventures that merge creativity with environmental consciousness. Gaagi (Luo for cowrie shells), reflects her artistic spirit through handcrafted jewelry and woven accessories that celebrate African culture and identity. Explore her creations here https://www.instagram.com/whoisadhis/?hl=en

3.WOSWA Services and Merchandise

Beyond showcasing student innovators, the WOSWA WEE Hub Market also promotes WOSWA services and branded merchandise that promote student identity, empowerment, and creativity. These include: Branding Services: Custom design and printing of banners, T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, tote bags, notebooks, and event materials. Merchandise: WOSWA-branded items that celebrate women’s leadership and empowerment — perfect for gifts, campaigns, and university events. Creative Design Support: Photography, digital media content creation, and promotional branding tailored for student organizations and partners. All proceeds from the WOSWA WEE Hub Market are meant to support WOSWA’s mentorship, leadership, and empowerment programs, helping to sustain youth-led innovation and economic inclusion across university spaces. Explore WOSWA merchandise and services here: https://www.instagram.com/woswa_wee_hub_market?utm_source=qr&igsh=a21kNWFhb214cW5h


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