The Malkia Initiative

The Malkia Initiative is a non-profit youth-led and women-led community organization. We work in rural pastoralist Kajiado to unleash the boundless potential of adolescent girls and young women by equipping them with skills and agency to influence change in their lives and their communities by 2030 because systemic and cultural barriers continue to leave them disenfranchised.

Malkia' vision is to crown every African girl, and to help us achieve this, we are working on a mission to enhance the agency, power, and choice of adolescent pastoralist girls and youth to achieve their potential.

The Malkia Initiative is based on 3 strategic pillars

1. Gender Equity

2. Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights

3. Foundational Numeracy and Literacy.

The Malkia Initiative guiding principles are

1. Girl and youth-centered.

2. Knowledge Management and StoryTelling

3. Resourcing for Her

Our manifesto emphasises the guiding principles and the spirit of Malkia. We integrate these principles into the everyday operations and strategies of The Malkia Initiative; as they serve as a beacon of light, guiding the organisation's actions and ensuring alignment with its vision and mission.

M - Mentorship: We believe in the transformative power of guidance, wisdom-sharing, and community. By providing mentorship opportunities, we aim to raise a generation of African girls who lead, inspire, and uplift.

A - Authenticity: Our work is anchored in the genuine stories, struggles, and strengths of African girls. We advocate for the authentic representation and celebration of their diverse identities.

L - Leadership: We understand that leadership is not just about positions but about making a difference. We invest in nurturing the leadership capabilities of every African girl, enabling them to drive change in their communities.

K - Knowledge: Knowledge is power. Through education, skills training, and empowerment programs, we strive to equip every African girl with the tools she needs to shape her destiny.

I - Inclusion: We champion the idea that every African girl, regardless of her background, deserves a seat at the table. Our work is committed to creating inclusive environments where their voices are amplified.

A - Aspiration: We encourage dreams, ambitions, and aspirations. We stand as a support system for African girls to dream big, aim high, and soar higher.

The Malkia Initiative believes in focusing on the voices of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). We actively engaged them in shaping the direction and impact of our work. By prioritising their voices and perspectives, we ensure that our efforts are truly aligned with their needs and aspirations. In our 7 years of working with them, our strategies include empowering them by actively involving them in decision-making processes. This includes seeking their input, valuing their perspectives, and ensuring that their voices are heard at every level of our organization. Malkia’s organizational structure is designed to be inclusive and collaborative. We have mechanisms in place to facilitate communication and cooperation among all stakeholders, including our focus population, staff, volunteers, and community partners. We have invested in capacity building to enable them to take on leadership roles within the organization and beyond. This involves providing training, mentorship, and other resources to help them develop the skills and confidence necessary to participate effectively in decision-making processes. Lastly, we hold ourselves accountable to our AGYW by regularly evaluating our performance and seeking their input on how we can improve. We are committed to being responsive to their needs and priorities, and we adjust our plans and activities accordingly.