Cami's Kikoys

Key Issues facing Women in Children:

• HIV/AIDS
• Sex and Labor Trafficking
• Unequal access to contraceptives and employment

Home to over 36 million people, Kenya serves as the economic port and hub to East Africa. While the life span for men and women is about the same (at 55 years) the issues facing women are more complicated because of laws and entrenched social norms.

Kenyan women face a number of gender issues including equal access to education, discriminatory land ownership, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, sexual exploitation and trafficking. Many factors have prevented women from being allowed to own land; therefore, their economic situation is often dependent on their closet male relation or partner. However, women in Kenya are coming together to fight for their human rights, as well as finding support in microfinance business ventures.

Since the new government assumed authority in 2003, legal efforts have been underway to reverse these practices. Still, however, women are often subjugated to discriminatory land practices, which lead to the loss of property and possessions, homelessness, sexual violence and increased vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. Of the 1.2 million people nationwide infected with HIV/AIDS, women represent a disproportionate number. According to a recent nation wide survey it is projected that a quarter of women between the ages 12 and 24 years lost their virginity to due to a forced sexual encounter.

A key obstacle for women in Kenya has been limited access to contraceptives such as birth control pills as well as sexual education. Because of the social taboo regarding sex and global limitations placed on organizations that disseminate such education, women have limited autonomy over their own bodies, resulting in increased health risks and overpopulation.

Despite clear obstacles to women’s equality, other recent Kenyan policies such as universal free primary education have brightened the prospects for Kenya’s daughters. Additionally, micro-enterprise efforts have been a positive way for women, such as the Kenyan artisans that Global Sistergoods works with, to better their current situation and future.

Female Life Expectancy at Birth: total population: years male: 55.24 years female: 55.37 years (2007 est.)
Total Fertility rate: 4.82 children born per woman
Adult Literacy Rate: (age 15 and over can read and write): 73.6%
Per Capita Income: $1,200 (2006 est.)

Kenyan kikoys are surprisingly versatile — perfect for the warm weather of summer. Approximately 5.5' x 3.5' Available in cheerful hues, cool tones and deep shades. Pick your color and then pick your use: table cloths, wall decor, bathing suit cover, towel or blanket — simply use your imagination!

$30.00 USD

Add to Cart | View Larger Image

Kikoys and Kangas have long been a clothing staple in East African countries, and through a partnership with women in Kenya we now bring these beautiful items to you. 

The raw textile for our kikoys is made through the employment of local Kenyan men and women in Thika, a town outside of Nairobi.  This raw kikoy fabric is then sold to the women we partner with through a stable long-term Kenyan owned and operated distributor in the textile section of downtown Nairobi.  The raw kikoy fabric is then used by a group of young widows and single mothers in Kangemi slum. They trim and hand-tassel the raw fabric into the finished kikoy product.  These women set their own price for tasseling and work in their homes where they can tend their children and earn a fair wage.