Uzury and GRÓ GEST Blended Learning Course in Kenya
In late August and early September, grassroots feminist leaders gathered at the Meru branch of the YWCA Kenya for a unique blended learning experience organised by Uzury Empowerment Hub in partnership with the GRÓ GEST Programme at the University of Iceland. Led by GRÓ GEST alumna Fariah Lalaikipiani and her team, the training brought together thirty participants for a hybrid course designed to strengthen feminist leadership at the community level. After completing both the two weeks of online study and the five-day in-person intensive training, twenty-eight participants graduated with joint diplomas from Uzury and GRÓ GEST.
From Online Foundations to In-Person Engagement
The course began online from 18–29 August, where participants completed selected modules from GRÓ GEST’s Massive Open Online Courses Gender and Intersectionality and Men, Boys and Masculinities. This digital preparation ensured that learners arrived at the in-person sessions on 1–5 September 2025 with a shared foundation in critical gender theory.
Two participants after arrival at the Meru branch of YWCA Kenya
The intensive week in Meru translated theory into practice. Mornings opened with wellness circles, followed by interactive sessions on intersectionality, African masculinities, feminist development theories, and human-centred project design. Participants practiced feminist monitoring and evaluation, explored innovative resource mobilisation strategies, and worked in teams to design community projects.
Each day carried a distinct theme: Gender and Intersectionality (facilitated by Zeituna Abdullahi) introduced participants to the wheel of power and identity exercises, creating awareness of how gender intersects with class, tribe, religion, and age in shaping opportunities and exclusion. Men and Masculinities (led by Peter Ngure) invited male allies to join discussions, helping participants examine hegemonic and progressive masculinities through privilege walks, roleplays, and community reflections. Project Design (facilitated by Brenda Kinya) introduced the problem-tree and asset-based community development approaches, guiding participants to identify root causes of issues such as gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, and power imbalance.
Discussions on Men and Masculinities led by Peter Ngure,
with men from Meru and Tharaka Nithi communities
On Resource Mobilisation and Financial Management day, facilitators Boniface Munene and James Mwanga emphasised feminist principles of accountability, solidarity, and sustainability in funding and budgeting. Participants practiced donor mapping and budget drafting while learning to align financial planning with feminist values. The final day, led by Getrude Katula, centred on Body Liberation—a transformative session combining storytelling, embodiment, and wellness planning. Participants shared deeply personal experiences of overcoming body shame and reclaiming dignity, culminating in a collective “full-body blessing” ritual that symbolised healing and feminist self-affirmation.+
The training closed with a vibrant ceremony attended by distinguished guests including Professor Karambu Ringera (Tiriji Foundation), Dr Dorothy Chege, and representatives from the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) and Kenya Methodist University. Five group projects were pitched to a judging panel, covering themes such as maternal health, gender-based violence, and youth empowerment. The Maternal Lifeline project—aimed at improving maternal health outcomes—was ranked first and later received a commitment of support from NGAAF. Kenya Methodist University’s Innovators Club also pledged technical support for several initiatives, helping to ensure their sustainability beyond the training.
Proud feminist leaders and happy course participants at the graduation ceremony
Impact and the Road Ahead
Feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive. Many described the training as “eye-opening” and “highly relevant,” noting that it boosted their confidence to act as feminist leaders. The sessions on gender and intersectionality, men and masculinities, proposal writing, and financial management stood out as particularly impactful. One participant reflected that the course “helped me link feminist theory to action in my community,” and another said, “I am so glad now I can finally put names and terms to the work I have been doing in feminist spaces in my community”. Another participant shared, “It was a great experience having a chance to have the uncomfortable conversations without feeling shame or worried about being judged, especially during the men, boys, and masculinity dialogue with men from my community.”
Beyond technical knowledge, participants described profound personal transformation, with many citing improved self-awareness, emotional resilience, and solidarity. The inclusion of wellness, reflection, and embodiment practices was repeatedly praised for creating “a safe and healing space.” Several participants committed to continuing collaboration as part of the Uzury Grassroots Women Leaders Network, and all twenty-eight graduates are now expected to take their learning forward by leading dialogues, theatre events, and community forums that will reach hundreds more people with feminist knowledge and practice.
All twenty-eight graduates are grassroots leaders from Meru and Tharaka Nithi. They are expected to take their learning forward by leading dialogues, theatre events, and community forums that will reach hundreds more people with feminist knowledge and practice.
The blended learning in Kenya is part of a growing GRÓ GEST initiative to support alumni-led hybrid trainings. Earlier this year and last year, similar rollouts took place in Karachi and Nairobi, each adapting GEST’s MOOCs to local needs. Building on these successes, GRÓ GEST has launched a new call for applications: alumni are invited to apply for co-funding of up to EUR 5,000 to deliver hybrid gender equality trainings in their own contexts. By combining online study with in-person intensives, these rollouts create inclusive spaces for transformative feminist education while amplifying the voices of local change-makers.