The AWESOME Programme launches new book of stories: ‘Seeds of Change’

The AWESOME Programme (Advancing Women’s Engagement: Strengthening Opportunities to Mobilise for Equality) presents ‘The Coffee Table Book’ – Seeds of Change: initiatives that changed lives and situations of women and girls in Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda. This is a collection of stories from the three countries where the programme has been implemented over the last five years.

This book is a mirror of the struggles, victories, and ongoing journey of women and girls who refuse to be silenced. It is also a reflection of the solidarity of partners, communities, and donors who believe that real change happens when power is shared, voices are amplified, and justice is pursued with persistence and determination. By gathering these stories, we are reminded that narratives are powerful tools for change. They help us see the human face behind statistics, they connect us to lived realities, and they inspire us to act.

Over the past five years, Womankind Worldwide has partnered with five women’s rights organisations in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda to confront two of the most persistent barriers to gender justice: sexual and gender-based violence, and the exclusion of women from leadership and decision-making spaces.

We extend heartfelt gratitude to our consortium partners, FIDA-Kenya, Women Challenged to Challenge (WCC), Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) in Uganda, and Ethiopian Women with Disabilities National Association (EWDNA) and Siiqqee Women’s Development Association (SWDA) in Ethiopia whose dedication and leadership have been the backbone of this Programme. We also acknowledge the women and girls who shared their stories with such honesty and bravery, often reliving painful experiences so that others might learn, grow, and be inspired. To our donors and allies, thank you for believing in the power of feminist partnerships and for investing in movement-led change.

As you turn these pages, we invite you to pause, to listen deeply, and to carry forward the lessons of courage and hope they embody. May these stories challenge us to ask hard questions, but also remind us of the possibilities that emerge when women claim their space and lead. May they inspire us to continue walking together partners, communities, and allies until every woman and girl can live free from violence and fully realise her leadership and potential.