World YWCA welcomes new Regional Programme Director for Africa and the Middle East

Hendrica holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Nairobi, Kenya and a Masters of Science from the University of London but is a true grassroots woman.

“I started my professional life as an Agricultural Officer in Kenya working with non literate women farmers in the Arid and Semi-arid Zones training them on crop and livestock production using participatory approaches which enable them to define their production goals and challenges using leaves and earth. This was a very empowering exercise for me as I had spent 5 years in academia and had to think about how to translate language to simple words, but the farmers having practical experience were way ahead of me and would very quickly develop the timeline and quantities, and their daily calendars were so enlightening. I was amazed by the way they balanced their farming chores, their household responsibilities and even managed to include leisure time. I learned so much.”
 
Hendrica used this new knowledge to transit into a lecturer at Egerton and Kenyatta University teaching environment economics and agricultural extension. “ One semester I had over 2000 students registered for my units, including the highest number of females in the history of the department”. This earned Hendrica an invitation from the Gender Department to present a lecture on the role of women in Agriculture in Kenya and a 3-month scholarship from Winrock International for Women Leaders in Agriculture and Environment.

In 1994, Hendrica presented a paper at a pre-Beijing Women’s Conference in Kenya that saw her offered as Senior Gender Officer post to support the preparation of the Kenya delegation to the 4th UN World Conference on Women in Beijing and develop a National Beijing Platform for Action Implementation Plan and Programme for Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Malawi. “I developed programmes that included a young women's leadership and mentoring programme managed by YWCA of Kenya and the Kenya Girl Guide Movement.”
 
After 4 years of an exciting programme that focused on girls education, leadership skills, economic empowerment, legal literacy, governance and political empowerment in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, Hendrica moved on to the World Food Programme as the Senior Gender Adviser for East, Horn and Central Africa where she trained emergency officers on gender and emergency.
 
In 2001, Hendrica undertook a gender assessment for UNIFEM to respond to the needs of women in Internally Displaced Peoples camps after Eritrea and Ethiopia border conflict. Later, she was appointed Programme Manager for UNIFEM in Somalia where she worked with returnee women in Somali and Puntland to establish a network of women's organisations. “I also worked with Somali women delegates in two peace processes to develop memos and manifestos on their needs and rights which was included in the text of the peace agreement and led to the appointment of 25 women Member of Parliaments. I also mobilised the Somali women's movement to participate in a World Bank led Reconstruction and Development Joint Assessment and Framework.”
 
In 2005, Hendrica was appointed Programme Manager for UNIFEM South Sudan and in the last 3 years was the Country Programme Manager for UNIFEM Tanzania where she established an office, developed a Gender Based Violence network that included YWCA of Tanzania and lobbied for gender equality and women’s empowerment issues to be included in the joint programmes of the delivering as one UN Programme.”
 
Hendrica was also a board member of Caritas, Kenya. “I have worked with women and young girls living with HIV in low income urban and rural areas. I have learned so much about courage and commitment from these amazing women that I would like to share with the YWCA movement”.

As Hendrica settles in to her new position, she says she is excited about working at the World YWCA. “ The World YWCA has a massive outreach to women and young women at the community level through its member associations. I look forward to working with associations in Africa and the Middle East to bring the voices of young women to the global platform. I am impressed by the scope of the work done by the associations in building skills and competencies in young women. The YWCAs potential for mobilising young women to advocate for the implementation of national and international commitments on women’s rights is awesome.”

Hendrica is equally motivated about addressing the issues facing women and young women in Africa and the Middle East. “ Most countries in Africa and the Middle East are undergoing challenging times defined by conflict which entail gross violations of women’s human rights and yet women are not involved in the various peace building and conflict resolution process. There are various situations where women are targeted for sexual and gender based violence. Women in both regions have limited access to decision-making spaces and have unequal legal status as most laws discriminate against their right for self-determination and religious and traditional norms often limit their ability to exercise sexual and reproductive rights. In Africa, young women are vulnerable to sexual abuse and are both affected and infected with HIV but have limited access to services, information, education and resources for developing sustainable livelihoods. In the Middle East, women and girls face situations of restricted mobility and challenges in accessing justice in a context of culture and religion defined by patriarchal norms. They are challenged by conflicting laws that require male guardianship, while at the same time they have embraced access to education economic and political activities to a point that some countries are now legislating for gender segregation and positive measures for men in education.”

With this in mind, Hendrica shares her vision for the region. “My vision is a for a secure world in which YWCAs in Africa and Middle East can provide safe spaces for young women to build their skills and competencies, to access comprehensive reproductive health care, education and economic opportunities that will enhance their capacity to live fulfilled lives and participate in democratic process which promote and protect their rights. I also pray that YWCA will continue to provide space and skills training for women and girls living with HIV while giving them opportunities to tell their stories and supporting them through collective advocacy for comprehensive care and the end of stigma and discrimination.”