The program aims to strengthen advocacy on young women's sexuality rights and reproductive health rights (SRHR). This is aimed at enabling young women to take initiative to engage with and make informed choices regarding their sexuality while at the same stimulating debate on socialization processes that foster flawed and hegemonic masculinities. The promotion of progressive masculinities arises out of the need to address specific sexuality concerns affecting young women and girls. The project has the following components: 

i)  Binti project

Binti is a Kiswahili word that means 'daughter of'. The Binti initiative was initiated under the young women's internship program (2007). Binti uses girls' soccer to focus on sexuality and reproductive health rights for girls. Through Binti, YWLI identifies the violation of the sexuality rights of girls and unsound notions of masculinities as a barrier to the empowerment of girls.

Why Soccer?

The Binti initiative uses girls' soccer as an avenue to demystify meanings attached to dominate forms of violent and hegemonic masculinities that encourage the violations of the rights of young women. Using soccer as an entry point, Binti engages with young men on discussions on progressive masculinities and respect for the human rights of young women and girls. Binti is poised to facilitate young women's entry into leadership and to promote leadership development through mentorship and coaching.  Binti seeks to address problems of early pregnancy, drug abuse, child prostitution, sexually transmitted infections, early motherhood and sexual abuse that are barriers to education of girls and young women.

Soccer is an approach to break the ice in discussions on matters of sexuality and reproductive rights that are sensitive and also considered taboo to speak about. Binti focuses on the fact that the self esteem, confidence and assertiveness of girls and young women are essential in negotiating for safe sex and being in control of when and how sex happens. Binti football initiative brings together girls, young women and mentors to participate in dialogues, public forums and motivational gatherings. The Binti girls are all under 17 years and they are equipped with life skills and knowledge as peer educators. They are also trained on critical areas of leadership and linked up with mentors. The girls have discussions on how to grapple with the challenges of growing up in poverty, vulnerability to sexual exploitation, early pregnancies and unsafe abortions. The motivational talks organized for the girls allow for cross generational mentoring and motivation towards defining their life purposes.

What do the girls say about Binti?

Faces behind Binti

Mohamed Ali - Coach

Mohamed is a footballer by profession and began playing football at a young age. He contributed to the success of several clubs both in and out of school. He has played for several teams both in and out of Nairobi. He began his career as a coach in 2000 in Machakos where he coached a under 17 team. Owing to his love for the game Mohamed returned to playing professional soccer for Bidco united and scored several goals that saw them qualify for the Kenya Premier League. Mohamed embarked on coaching young girls and boys from Kawangware. These girls are from poor backgrounds and have had no one to look up to. In 2007, he joined Binti and has continued to train them not only in soccer but has also helped them to link soccer to leadership and the importance of assertiveness. Through his support and commitment the team gain recognition and the girls are now participating in major leagues.

The father of three beautiful girls had this to say:

We have come a long way and many of these girls had no clue how to play soccer and they did not believe in themselves. Now I can confidently say that Binti is a team of girls who have the potential to join the women's Kenyan Football team and these girls now realize how much power they have through soccer.

Caroline Achieng - Binti Assistant Coach

Carol was 10 years old when she decided that she is a footballer!  She hasn't looked back since. She improved her skills by training with boys since football was not considered a sport for girls Playing football was not an easy decision for her as she was often discouraged by teachers and family members that this would affect her academic work, but she was determined to follow to follow her passion. She ably integrated her academic work and sports, hence graduating with an upper second Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and leisure Management majoring in sports! At the same time she has trained as a coach and sports trainer. She has played soccer in several major tournaments and encouraged other young women to join the sport. Carol is known for her tackling, striking and scoring skills and was ranked the Best Scorer and Player in East and Central Africa University games.

Despite her young age, she has been outstanding and has secured a place on the Kenya National women's soccer Team. Carol broke the record as the youngest  sportswoman to represent the nation in soccer while at the university. She recently began to coach Binti team and would like to set an example for the girls to help them realize that they can achieve their goals in life. Carol would in future like to play competitively for the Leagues in the United States and will continue to coach women's teams.

I feel that it is important that girls have someone who believes in them who is able to encourage and support them. Soccer will help improve their confidence, esteem and will open opportunities and potential that they did not know they had.

ii) Young Mothers Initiative

This initiative addresses sexual and reproductive health rights and other human rights issues facing young women and girls who experience early pregnancies through capacity building, information sharing and self empowerment sessions. Through creating safe spaces, it incorporates self esteem and assertiveness boosting as an important component in dealing with stereotypes and prejudices that come with early motherhood. YWLI works with young mothers from both the formal and informal settlements within Nairobi. It also brings together young mothers from various universities and career backgrounds to offer them the space to share ideas, experiences and offer support on various issues of concern in their lives.

iii) Outreach to schools

YWLI reaches out to young women, young men, girls and boys in various educational institutions. This program engages both boys and girls to highlight the violations and negative notions of masculinities perpetuated through institutions of learning. Through this program we have been able to address issues on sexual harassment, sexual health and rights, self esteem and assertiveness, peer education and how to deal with sexual violations within the school setting.