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About Girl Power Action Initiative (GPAI)
Girl Power Action Initiative is a refugee, women led initiative , dedicated to empowering young women and advocating for the sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) of refugee girls and women in Kakuma Camp. Founded in 2021 and officially registered in Kenya in 2023, GPAI aims to foster awareness and reproductive health education within the refugee camp community.
Early Beginnings of GPAI
Initially, GPAI focused on providing SRHR education to adolescent refugee girls aged 14 to 19, mainly through weekend sessions in local schools within the camp. With their first well-wisher’s support, GPAI managed to visit six schools, reaching about 500 girls over two years and distributing reusable sanitary pads alongside SRHR information.
However, challenges were evident. “The sessions were valuable but too infrequent,” a GPAI facilitator shared. “We wanted to offer ongoing education, but resources limited us to a single visit per school.”
GPAI relied heavily on SRHR resources adapted from online sources to educate refugee girls in the camp. “It was tough, sourcing and tailoring information to fit Kakuma’s specific needs,” a team member explained. “But we were determined to make it work.”
The Role of Resilience Action International (RAI) in Strengthening GPAI
Recognizing GPAI’s potential as an emerging refugee-led organization, Resilience Action International (RAI) entered into a partnership with GPAI through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2023. This collaboration, part of RAI’s WE LEAD project, enabled GPAI to expand its SRHR programs within the camp and enhance its team’s capacity to deliver impactful sessions.
“The MOU marked a turning point for us,” said one GPAI member. “We went from reaching six schools to ten and impacted over 600 girls in the camp in 2024 alone.”
Reaching More Schools and Expanding Impact
With RAI’s support, GPAI has expanded its reach, now covering ten schools across the refugee camp and educating over 500 girls in 2023, followed by more than 600 in 2024.
“We’ve seen a big shift in our reach,” a GPAI representative shared. “From six schools initially, we now reach ten within Kakuma, providing these girls with critical knowledge about their health rights.”
RAI’s support has allowed GPAI to conduct longer, three-week sessions instead of one-off visits, and resources now cover refreshments, sanitary kits, and transportation for facilitators—crucial elements that strengthen the program’s impact in the refugee camp.
Capacity Building for Long-Term Change
One of the biggest transformations has been in the training of GPAI’s facilitators. Thanks to RAI’s guidance, they’re now better equipped to handle SRHR topics specific to the refugee camp’s cultural context.
“We’re more confident now,” a facilitator commented. “We’ve developed a curriculum that breaks down SRHR topics in ways that resonate with girls in Kakuma.”
Reflecting on the growth, another facilitator noted, “RAI has helped us become more organized in our approach. We now deliver SRHR sessions four days a week, helping girls understand their rights in the refugee camp.”
Visibility and Leadership Growth
The collaboration with RAI has also boosted GPAI’s visibility and credibility, attracting attention from other advocacy groups within and beyond the refugee camp.
“RAI has provided us with valuable platforms, resources, and mentorship,” a GPAI member explained. “We’re reaching new heights and gaining public support within Kakuma and even outside the camp.”
The partnership also strengthened GPAI’s leadership practices, essential for navigating the complex operational challenges within a refugee camp setting.
Visionary Leadership: Sudi Omar’s Role
Guiding GPAI’s success is Sudi Omar, the organization’s founder and director. Her leadership has been pivotal, especially in establishing partnerships like the one with RAI that align with the needs of refugee girls.
“Sudi’s vision drives our growth,” a team member stated. “Her commitment to expanding our reach and resources within the camp has been inspiring.”
Omar’s leadership ensures that GPAI remains focused on addressing SRHR needs within the refugee camp, building a supportive environment for the girls it serves.
Achievements and Future Goals
GPAI’s journey from a grassroots initiative to an organized advocacy group has been remarkable, setting a new standard for SRHR awareness within the camp.
A GPAI facilitator reflected, “It’s amazing to see the change in these girls. We’ve come so far, and they are now empowered to speak up in the camp about their rights.”
GPAI looks forward to continuing this impact with RAI’s support, contributing to a more informed and empowered community within the refugee camp.
GPAI’s success exemplifies the impact that refugee-led initiatives can achieve in Kakuma. With RAI’s support and GPAI’s dedicated team, adolescent girls and young women are gaining the tools to become advocates for their health and rights within Kakuma refugee camp.
As one GPAI member put it, “Together, we’re making a difference for girls in Kakuma Refugee Camp.”
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