SPARK INTERNATIONAL CHANGE – TBTN KENYA

Project Overview:

Project Goal: Provide educational programs and training on gender-based violence, victim advocacy and sexual misconduct policies. Analyze systems, victim services, and prevention strategies utilized by Kenyan universities and public high schools. Build sustainable partnerships with key constituents, leaders, and other stakeholders and develop a 5-year plan for sustained support, training and resources to combat gender-based violence in Kenya. Identify barriers to reporting and sources of attitudes that silence victims and create shame and blame. Foment a culture to combat sexual violence through activism and advocacy. 

Financial Needs: $15,000.00 USD

Provided by TBTN: All airfare, travel, lodging, and per diem expenses for Katie Koestner. Provide and ship 200 TIME Cover Posters, 100 TBTN shirts, and 200 TBTN Wristbands.

Provided by Kenya Team:  University and school venues for training; technology needs for presentations; food for university presentations; all ground transportation in Kenya for presenter.

Logistical Details:

Dates:  From November 28, 2023 to December 10, 2023. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual campaign that begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and runs through International Human Rights Day on 10 December.

Trip Length:  About 2 days each way for travel between US and Kenya plus 5-6 days on the ground in Kenya.

Venues:  3 universities, to include Maseno University, Nairobi University, and another (possibly Pan-African Christian University in Nairobi). 2 public high schools, 1 in each Kisumu (possibly Senior Logals) and Nairobi.

Tentative Plan: Fly to Maseno University in Kisumu for a two-day visit and then fly to Nairobi for another two or three days. Ms. Koestner presents at each of three universities to university officials and stakeholders on the history of sexual violence prevention work and policies in the United States, including laws, protocols, services, advocacy, and educational strategies. Ms. Koestner will lead one Take Back The Night Event in Kisumu and another in Nairobi to involve as many people as possible, especially university students. Ms. Koestner meets with donors and leaders for a fundraising event at Nairobi University to develop a roadmap for the 5-year plan.

Audience and Participants: University officials and employees to include counselors, gender studies departments, campus security and safety, residence life staff, first responders, and students.

Involved Parties: UN Women, Take Back The Night, KEFEADO, and Women Centre for Peace & Development

Personnel:

TBTN Team:

Katie Koestner (TBTN Exec Director)

Amy Tilton (TBTN Asst Director)

Lily Signori (TBTN Operational Support)

Benter Oluoch (TBTN Kenyan Volunteer)

Kenya Team:

Halima Mohamud (Women Centre for Peace & Development)

Easter Okech (KEFEADO Exec Director)

Dorothy Oliech (Mochez Models)

Essy Olang (KEFEADO)

Hellen Akinyi (KEFEADO)

Jackline Milanya (KEFEADO)

Janet Adhiambo (KEFEADO)

Presentation Overview:

“Sexual Misconduct and Harassment: Policies, Prevention and Risk Management Strategies from 3 Decades of Work with 5000+ Institutions Around the World”

The landscape of both what constitutes sexual misconduct and the standards for prevention and response have changed dramatically over the last thirty years throughout the world.   Intense scrutiny of school response is easily conducted with the discoverable trail of technological transparency and cover-ups are revealed with the mighty pen of the press and social media. What are best practices for prevention and response to harassment, sexual misconduct, and gender discrimination in our universities and schools?

What constitutes “actual notice” in terms of what school be considered including online interactions, over-heard conversations, 3rd party reports and rumors?  How can institutions create and support a comprehensive risk management system to include all faculty, staff and students?  What are common missteps and oversites ensuring the efficacy of the response team and training programs?  Understand the complexities of fomenting a culture of proactive upstanders with regard to a variety of demographic variables.

This intensive program delineates leading practices steeped in 30 years of practice, research, law, and policy. Global expert on campus safety and sexual misconduct, Katie Koestner, provides a review of policies, handbook language, climate surveys, investigation procedures, response protocols for incidents, and research-supported education and training programs.  Since appearing on the cover of TIME Magazine at age 18, Ms. Koestner has set the standard for proactive, responsive educational policies on sexual misconduct throughout the world.  Ms. Koestner has consulted with over 5000 institutions and organizations including MIT, Brown University, Dartmouth University, the United Nations, the US Ambassador to India, WARIF in Nigeria, the US Department of Defense, The International Association of Boys Schools, The Association of Boarding Schools, DURGA in India, Fortune 100 companies, NFL Teams, faith organizations, the National Association of Basketball Coaches, and the American Association of School Administrators.