CHILD PROTECTION
Woven Agenda Foundation is deeply committed to safeguarding the rights and well-being of all children, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups. Our child protection initiatives aim to create safe and nurturing environments that shield children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence.
Key interventions include strengthening community-based child protection systems, promoting awareness of children’s rights, and providing platforms for children to express their voices and participate in decisions affecting their lives. We are in the process of building a shelter for vulnerable children including orphans were we will be offering comprehensive and holistic care by December 2025. We engage families especially women headed families, educators, and community leaders in capacity-building programs to identify and respond effectively to risks faced by children.
Woven Agenda also prioritizes integrating child protection into broader development goals by linking it with health, education, and gender-based violence (GBV) programming. This holistic approach ensures that children’s needs are addressed comprehensively, including their physical, emotional, and social well-being. Through partnerships with local and national stakeholders, Woven Agenda works to influence policies and practices that uphold the rights of every child, especially those at risk of exploitation or harm.
HEALTH SERVICES (Under 5 care, SRHR and Comprehensive Sexual Education):
Recognizing the critical importance of early childhood development, Woven Agenda prioritizes under-5 care within our health interventions. We focus on improving maternal and child health services, including access to vaccinations, nutrition programs, and preventative healthcare. By addressing these foundational health needs, Woven Agenda ensures that children under five have a healthy start, creating a robust foundation for their lifelong well-being.
Woven Agenda also places Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) at its centre, particularly in relation to promoting access to adolescent health and establishing linkages in the delivery of reproductive health and HIV-prevention services. We support the scale up of sexual and reproductive health and rights programing for young people and children so that they utilize their SRHR through improved capacities to make informed choices and improved access to SRH services including HIV issues.
We take on a participatory approach, that includes the voice and participation of girls and young women in various platforms as mentors and community activists; mobilization of local and religious leaders on SRHR to play a role in the solution; and we also mobilise community champions (men and women) to champion the issue of sexual and reproductive health of adolescent girls and young women.
We carry out school outreach activities targeting pupils. Our focus is to let them know what kind of rights they have in relation to their bodies and to empower them to raise up and speak against any sexual abuse.
GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
Woven Agenda Foundation recognizes the unique vulnerabilities children face in care centers and is committed to creating environments free from Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the center and community. We address GBV within children’s care centers by implementing robust safeguarding measures and fostering a culture of protection, equity, and respect.
Key actions include:
- Working with care center management at Mizu ya Chikondi to develop and enforce policies that prevent GBV, including child abuse, neglect, and exploitation. These policies outline clear reporting mechanisms, strict codes of conduct, and immediate response protocols.
- Woven Agenda trains caregivers, staff, and volunteers in child protection and GBV prevention. This includes recognizing signs of abuse, understanding trauma-informed care, and creating gender-sensitive environments.
- We provide age-appropriate education on GBV and children’s rights, empowering them to recognize, prevent, and report abuse. Peer-support initiatives encourage children to look out for one another and foster a sense of collective protection.
- Woven Agenda engages parents, guardians, and community leaders to create a network of accountability and support for children in care centers. Advocacy efforts also target policymakers to ensure strict regulatory oversight and adherence to child protection standards.
- We ensure that care centers have systems to provide immediate and confidential support to children affected by GBV, including access to counseling, legal assistance, and medical care.
WOMEN LEADERSHIP AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
At Woven Agenda Foundation, we recognize that women, including those from vulnerable and often overlooked groups such as single mothers, widows, and LBQ women, are powerful contributors to the well-being and resilience of families and communities.
Across generations, women have played essential roles in caregiving, resource management, and food production, using their knowledge and strength to sustain households and nurture future generations. Yet, their contributions are often undervalued or unseen.
Our mission is to amplify this collective wisdom and ensure it informs every aspect of our work. At Woven Agenda, women are not seen as passive recipients of support but as leaders, innovators, and change makers whose experiences and strengths shape lasting, community-driven transformation.
We aim to achieve this through a holistic and context-responsive approach, including:
Tailored Trainings and Capacity Building:
We equip women with skills in leadership, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship, enhancing their capacity to thrive economically and lead in their families and communities.
Economic Empowerment Programs:
Through access to microfinance, vocational training, and cooperative business models, women are supported to gain financial independence and build sustainable livelihoods.
Agriculture as a Leadership and Empowerment Tool:
Agriculture plays a central role in our empowerment efforts. At Woven Agenda, we manage our own land using climate-smart practices that promote environmental sustainability, soil health, and water conservation. Our farm operates as a demonstration hub where women learn hands-on, innovative techniques that increase productivity and resilience in the face of climate change.
Women receive training in crop and animal farming, sustainable practices, market access, and agribusiness. These opportunities not only boost food security and income but also affirm women as leaders in climate resilience and community wellbeing. The agricultural produce also supports children at the Mizu Ya Chikondi care center, reinforcing a cycle of care led by women.
Infrastructure Designed for Women’s Needs:
We prioritize infrastructure that provides safe, accessible, and supportive environments, including the development of housing for single mothers and vulnerable women. These homes offer stability, dignity, and space to focus on building a future.
Affordable Housing for Single Mothers and vulnerable women:
With the support of individual donors, we are creating housing solutions that empower single mothers to live independently and raise their children in safe environments that foster hope and growth. In addition to long-term housing initiatives, we provide short-term shelter for vulnerable individuals, including women and members of the LGBTQI+ community, who may be experiencing crisis, displacement, or housing insecurity.
These safe spaces are designed to offer immediate relief, restore dignity, and provide a foundation for individuals to rebuild their lives with the support of wrap around services such as psychosocial care, legal aid referrals, and economic empowerment opportunities. Through this model, we reaffirm our commitment to inclusive care and the right of every person to safety, dignity, and a future full of possibility.
Participatory Approaches:
Women’s voices guide all program design and implementation processes. We believe that true sustainability stems from community-led solutions rooted in women’s lived experiences and knowledge.
ADVOCACY AND POLICY
At Woven Agenda Foundation, advocacy and policy influence are central to our mission of driving systemic change to address gender inequality and promote social justice. We work to amplify marginalized voices, particularly those of women and girls, and engage stakeholders at all levels to shape inclusive policies and practices that benefit the most vulnerable.
We conduct evidence-based research to identify gaps in existing policies and practices affecting women, children, and marginalized groups. This research informs our advocacy efforts and ensures that our recommendations are rooted in data and lived experiences. We empower women, youth, and community members to lead advocacy initiatives, equipping them with the skills and platforms needed to engage policymakers and decision-makers effectively. This participatory approach ensures that the voices of those directly impacted by policies are heard and prioritized.
Woven Agenda works closely with government agencies, civil society organizations, and private sector actors to influence policy reforms that align with feminist principles, decolonial approaches, and human rights frameworks. To foster widespread support for gender equality and social justice, Woven Agenda organizes awareness campaigns that highlight critical issues such as child protection, GBV prevention, women’s leadership, and SRHR. These campaigns leverage diverse platforms, including media, public forums, and digital spaces, to reach a broad audience.
Woven Agenda advocates for transparent and accountable governance, ensuring that existing laws and policies are implemented effectively. This includes monitoring government commitments to gender equality and human rights and holding stakeholders accountable for their obligations. Recognizing the power of collective action, WAF collaborates with local, national, and international networks to amplify its advocacy efforts and build momentum for policy changes that benefit women, children, and marginalized communities.
TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
At Woven Agenda Foundation, we recognize technology and innovation as powerful tools for advancing gender equality, empowering women, and addressing societal challenges. By bridging the digital divide and fostering creative solutions, we ensure that women and girls are equipped to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. We plan to have a tech-hub in Tathera village by December, 2025 where children, girls, youths and women will learn a range of digital literacy skills from basic computer literacy to coding. To bridge the digital divide, Woven Agenda works to ensure women, children and youth in underserved areas have access to affordable and reliable technology. This includes community digital hubs and partnerships to provide devices and internet connectivity.
EDUCATION
At Woven Agenda Foundation, we prioritize early childhood development (ECD) and girls’ education as critical pillars for breaking cycles of poverty and fostering gender equality. Through community-based ECD centers, we ensure children from birth to age 8 receive quality education, healthcare, and emotional support in safe and nurturing environments. Recognizing parents as vital partners, we empower them with knowledge and resources to support their children’s growth and readiness for formal schooling. We work in communities that cannot afford ECD education to ensure that even those are able to access it.
For girls’ education, we focus on addressing barriers such as early marriage, financial constraints, and gender-based violence, advocating for equal access and retention. By providing scholarships, mentorship, and material support, we help girls stay in school and excel, with special emphasis on promoting STEM fields to challenge stereotypes. Through safe school initiatives and teacher training, we create inclusive learning environments, while community mobilization efforts engage leaders and families to champion the importance of educating girls and young children.
About Us