SHOFCO

Enabling youth entrepreneurship and workforce development through work enabling education and skilling, especially for marginalized communities, is critical in giving young women a pathway to economic empowerment. Ecosystem actors must learn from evidence to contribute to this critical goal. Our Impact Scorecard (Q4 2024): ? Through job placement initiatives, we supported 1,553 men and women in transitioning to jobs or launching their own businesses. ? 3,876 young people (2,567 women, 1,309 men) received two mentorship sessions focused on business development—far exceeding our quarterly target of 300. ? 287 youth (174 women, 113 men) were trained in digital literacy to enhance their employability. This #IWD2025, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering young people in underserved communities by providing the skills, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive. #MarchForwardIWD2025 #YoungAfricaWorks #MastercardFoundation

This week, CIFF is at CSW69 alongside our partners and gender equality champions, driving urgent attention to the need to end child marriage, improve access to education for girls, and protect them from violence. Through convenings and conversations with funders, advocates, and policymakers, we’re looking to mobilize commitments to improve girls' agency and spotlight solutions that put girls at the centre of policies, funding priorities, and program design. The reality is stark: Every 30 seconds, a girl is married in countries ranked as fragile states. Millions more remain out of school, at risk of harm, and are denied the opportunities they deserve. We need real commitments, sustained funding, and collective action to ensure that every girl can shape her own future. It’s time to turn evidence into action, scale what works, and build partnerships that drive real impact. Faustina Fynn-Nyame, Sophie Hodder, Elisabeth No?lla L., Linda Weisert, Yvette Kathurima, Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, Tiko, Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage, Girls First Fund, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) #EndChildMarriage #InvestInGirls #CSW69 #GirlsEducation #ViolenceAgainstChildren

Happy International Women’s Day! We are proud of the young women redefining possibilities and proving that dreams are achievable! At SHOFCO, we work with diverse groups of women, equipping them with marketable skills and pathways to decent job opportunities. Through the SHOFCO Women Empowerment Project (SWEP), we have cumulatively trained over 31,000 young women, with 1,000+ successfully transitioning into decent jobs in Nairobi and Mombasa in the last few months. This #IWD2025, we renew our commitment to empowering even more young women, accelerating their progress, and championing their success. #HappyInternationalWomensDay #EmpowerHer #MarchforwardIWD2025

Happy International Women's Day! Behind every thriving community is a strong, #empoweredwoman. Today, we celebrate their resilience, contributions, and the undeniable impact they have on shaping a better world. At SHOFCO, we believe in action. Through the SHOFCO Women Empowerment Project (SWEP), we've equipped over 31,000 women with technical skills that open doors to economic opportunities and independence. When women rise, entire communities thrive! Let’s keep pushing for #equality, #dignity, and #opportunity for all. #MarchForwardIWD2025 #EmpowerHer #IWD2025

Investing in Girls' Education: The Next Frontier The global push for girls’ education has made great strides—but Africa remains an exception. Nearly two in five out-of-school girls live on this continent, with urban slums like Kibera, Mathare, and Mukuru facing the toughest challenges. Poverty, gender norms, and social pressures push too many girls out of school before they can reach their full potential. This is a crisis we cannot ignore. Governments alone cannot solve it. Real, lasting change demands cross-sector collaboration—where community-based organizations (CBOs), policymakers, and funders unite to remove both educational and social barriers that hold girls back. At SHOFCO, we are committed to holistic solutions that ensure girls don’t just enroll in school—they stay, succeed, and thrive. Our approach includes: ? Full school support—tuition, uniforms, and essential materials ? Teacher training to strengthen student-parent engagement ? Gender-based violence prevention and case management ? Improved water & sanitation to reduce illness-related absenteeism This is the next frontier in education investment: partnerships that go beyond the classroom to address the complex realities of students’ lives. When we get this right, we don’t just improve education—we unlock generational change. ?? Are you ready to be part of this change? Let’s scale what works-together and build a future where every girl has the chance to learn, lead, and lift up her community. #FutureofEducation #InvestinGirlChildEducation

Empowering the Next Generation! Today, we officially launched our Secondary Schools Scholarship Interventions and Public Primary Schools Partnership, reaffirming our commitment to ensuring every child: ?? Accesses quality education ?? Is protected from all forms of sexual and gender-based violence ?? Has clean water and essential school support, including uniforms and sanitary pads At SHOFCO, we believe education transforms lives. Every child deserves a safe learning environment, and every family deserves dignity. Strong community partnerships make this possible. Our key objectives: ?? Preventing poverty-driven school dropouts for 181,684 students in primary and secondary schools. ?? Strengthening child protection by: 1?? Empowering 250,000 children with life skills through the Rights of Children Clubs (ROCC). 2?? Providing GBV case management to 100,000 individuals. 3?? Training 13,750 leaders and male champions as advocates. ?? Improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene for 140,000 community members and 21,000 students. A heartfelt thank you to Ms. Anne Wang’ombe, Principal Secretary, State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action, for standing with us in this mission! #EducationForAll #SafeSchools

Today, I had a great discussion with my brother, Nyeri Governor Dr. Mutahi Kahiga and his team, on strengthening our collaboration in community-led transformation. We’re working together to empower young people through skills development, agriculture, and entrepreneurship while shaping a youth-centric policy framework. At SHOFCO, we believe that meaningful change happens when we work together, and I’m excited about the possibilities ahead! #StrategicCollaborations

We are proud to see models from Kibera owning the runway, showcasing designs made by our SHOFCO Women Empowerment Project (SWEP) team featuring stunning African print bomba jackets, cargo skirts, and bold men's shirts—all crafted from 100% Kenyan-grown cotton. These designs are not only stylish and bold but also sustainably made, reinforcing our commitment to eco-friendly fashion. At SHOFCO, we champion fashion and design that seamlessly blend creativity, sustainability, and innovation. As a key fashion and design industry stakeholder, our role extends beyond technical training and mentorship for young women in underserved communities. We are committed to advocating for and supporting responsible, sustainable practices within the circular fashion industry. With industry reports estimating that approximately 92 million tons of textile waste are generated annually, the need to embrace regenerative fashion has never been more urgent. Unlike synthetic fabrics—which contribute to 10% of global carbon emissions, more than international flights and maritime shipping combined—natural cotton is biodegradable and environmentally friendly. #FashionWithImpact #FashionWeek2025

Today, our team participated in the Kenya Fashion and Design Week conference and exhibition at Sarit Expo Centre, Nairobi. It was inspiring to see models strut the runway in our bold designs crafted from 100% Kenyan-grown cotton—sustainable, stylish, and a true celebration of local talent. At SHOFCO, we believe fashion and design are not just for a select few—they are powerful tools for transformation. In 2024, the SHOFCO Women Empowerment Project (SWEP) successfully equipped over 1,798 young women with valuable fashion and design skills. To support these women in completing their training with peace of mind, we also provided daycare stipends to over 1,423 mothers, ensuring they could pursue their dreams without worry. By empowering women with skills and opportunities, we uplift entire communities. Because when women thrive, society flourishes! #FashionWithImpact #FashionWeek2025

Across Kenya’s urban slums, girls face enormous barriers to staying in school—barriers that grow as they get older. Poverty, gender-based violence, early pregnancy, and inadequate support systems mean that too many girls are forced to drop out, cutting off their potential and reinforcing cycles of vulnerability. At SHOFCO, we believe education is more than just what happens in the classroom. Through our partnership with Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), we are working to end school absenteeism by providing the wraparound support that makes learning possible: school fees, meals, menstrual products, safe housing, and healthcare. We also recognize that parents are key partners in a girl’s education, which is why we work directly with families to build a strong foundation for students at home. Our Targets: ?? Providing scholarships to 11,250 girls in secondary boarding schools, including teen mothers and highly vulnerable adolescents in day secondary schools. ?? Supplying scholastic materials and essential support (such as uniforms and menstrual products) to ensure 50,000 children stay in school. ??Providing 250,000 Girls with life skills training through the right of children clubs (ROCC). Together, we are proving that holistic, community-led approaches can be scaled within public schools—transforming education systems and giving every girl the opportunity to thrive. The future of girls’ education is interconnected, collaborative, and built to last. #GirlsEducation #EducationForAll?