Polycom Girls Honored for Advancing Gender Equality

Polycom Girls, an organization dedicated to promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls, was honored with the Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG5) Award for Gender Equality.

This recognition, presented by the SDGs Kenya Forum during the Annual National SDGs Stakeholders Conference, celebrated the organization’s outstanding contributions towards achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls in Kibra, Nairobi.

Polycom Girls’ journey to winning the SDG5 Award is rooted in a deep commitment to addressing gender-based disparities and creating opportunities for women and girls who are often marginalized in society.

For years, the organization has worked tirelessly to advance economic empowerment, promote educational opportunities, and provide support for women survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).

The SDG5 Award, which focuses on achieving gender equality, recognizes Polycom Girls’  initiatives, which have made a tangible impact on the lives of countless women and girls in Kibra.

Jane Anyango, Founder and outgoing Director of Polycom Girls, said the award will motivate Polycom Girls to work harder on its long-term goals of mentoring girls and young women and fighting for gender equality.

“Polycom Girls received other awards, including the Vital Voices Award for their collaboration on Safe Cities and the Female Wave of Change Award on Talking Boxes,an initiative collecting data on issues affecting adolescent girls and boys in schools and the community,” she added.

“Polycom Girls’ actions are focused on prevention rather than response,” said Jane  Anyango.

Third from left: Jane Anyango, the founder and outgoing director of Polycom Girls and a staff member, receive the SDG5 from the SDGs Kenya Forum.

Polycom Girls’ initiatives focus on building sustainable support systems that continue to benefit future generations of women and girls.

One of Polycom Girls’ most notable initiatives is a pads initiative, which provides women survivors of GBV with opportunities to regain economic independence and rebuild their lives.

Through the production of sanitary pads, women can earn a livelihood, creating a sustainable business model that addresses critical health needs and empowers them economically.

Beyond economic empowerment, the initiative offers psychological support by connecting women with professional counselors, helping them to overcome trauma and rebuild their self-esteem. This comprehensive approach has enabled survivors of GBV to reclaim their dignity.