Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)-Kenya



Lake Elementaita


FIDA Kenya was established in 1985 after the 3rd UN Conference on Women, which was held in Nairobi.  FIDA Kenya, a non-profit, non-partisan organization, is

“committed to the creation of a society that is free from all forms of discrimination against women.  This is done through the provision of legal aid to indigent women, engagement on legal, policy and legislative reform, treat monitoring and research among other programmatic interventions.”
Go to FIDA Kenya

Last week I attended a two day Public Interest workshop presented by FIDA at Lake Elementaita in Naivasha, a couple of hours outside Nairobe. 

The attendees were attorneys who provide pro bono services to FIDA clients.  The primary focus was the new constitution, its bill of rights and the opportunities to pursue claims of public interest.

FIDA Kenya is impressive.  It members are strong, smart and committed.  And they need to be, because their challenges are daunting.  Here are examples of the kinds of issues women bring to FIDA Kenya for help.

1.         A high school girl was raped at school by two classmates.  The boys were arrested and arraigned in court; however, the school told the victim she can no longer attend class because it would be disruptive and unpleasant for the other students, and shameful and humiliating for her.

2.          2.     A woman went into a hospital to deliver her baby.   She had to have a C-section and was put under a general anesthetic.  While she was unconscious, and without her knowledge or consent, the doctor circumcised her at the instruction of her husban

        3.     Flower farms in Kenya are a very profitable and lucrative industry; for example, Kenya grows 50% of all of the red roses sold in the world.  The workers at the farms are expected to work 12 hours a day for 100 kes (about $1.19 per day).  They are exposed with no protection to toxic and abrasive chemicals and insecticides.  They work in closed unventilated greenhouses.  The women are often sexually harassed and abused.

4.         Two high school girls approached another and made sexual advances.  She objected and they tried again.  The girl reported the advances to the deputy head master and then to the head master of the school, who did nothing in response.  The girl is now in the hospital after the other two “put metal pieces into her private parts.”   (The Daily Standard reported this incident on Friday, April 8, and stated that she is still in the hospital.)

5.         Women routinely are fired when they become pregnant.

6.         Women who are forced to go to the state hospitals because of problems in delivering a baby are detained indefinitely by hospital authorities if they are unable to pay.  (See my blog entry on April 7.)

7.         Polygamy is common and accepted, especially outside Nairobi.  There are multiple issues regarding inheritance and succession rights of wives, partners, and children.

8.         Three women were arrested because they were in the process of having abortions.  They were taken to the police station and not provided any medical care.  One of them bled out and died overnight.

            The break out groups and discussions, including those on the two hour bus ride back to Nairobi, were enlightening, to say the least.  This is another group that does, in fact, make a difference.