Buildher trains women from Nairobi’s informal settlements through a 12-month programme, which includes workshop-based training and paid employment placements. In addition to accredited construction skills and technical skills in areas like carpentry and joinery, woodwork, painting and decorating, and tools/equipment maintenance, women on the programme are offered life skills such as financial literacy, mental health coaching, leadership, and communication.
Buildher also works with partner firms in the construction sector to make their workplaces more gender inclusive, including through changing workplace facilities and enacting sexual harassment policies.
Theory of Change
There are three main channels through which Buildher will achieve its outcomes. Firstly, training and skilling of women will increase the probability of earning higher incomes, whether through skilled employment in the construction sector, or in other dignified roles. Training can also to contribute to self-efficacy and agency gains, as the acquisition of new skills and status within the community contributes to an improved sense of self, while earned income can lead to more household bargaining power. Secondly, by partnering with firms Buildher can support the adoption of policies and practices which further improve outcomes for women by making their workplaces more accommodating, safe and inclusive. Training of male peers can lead to changes attitudes and behaviours in the workplace and at home. Lastly, by working with other stakeholders, most notably the National Construction Authority, the sector regulator, Buildher can drive changes of norms and standards in the industry which increases the probability that firms will hire and retain more women in the future, meaning the sector becomes a more accessible to women and expands the choices available for women entering the labour market.
Apply for funding
Connect with us: