Who we are

Defying Violence Against Women

DEVIOW was founded in 2020 in Kakuma Refugee Camp by women who survived inequality and gender-based violence. Today we remain refugee-led and community-driven—standing as a beacon of hope, resilience, and empowerment across Kakuma and Kalobeyei.

DEVIOW community advocacy session in Kakuma

About Us

DEVIOW (Defying Violence Against Women) is a refugee-led, community-based organization operating in Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement, Turkana County, Kenya. Founded in 2020 and formally registered in 2026, DEVIOW addresses critical challenges facing women, girls, and youth in displacement—particularly gender-based violence (GBV), economic exclusion, and limited access to education.

What began as a small grassroots initiative has grown into a structured organization delivering integrated, community-driven programs that combine protection, skills development, and economic empowerment. Our holistic approach ensures every woman and girl has the opportunity to live with dignity, self-reliance, and purpose. When women rise, communities thrive.

Our Approach

Community-led and survivor-centered approach grounded in lived experience.

Integration of protection with economic empowerment for long-term resilience.

Practical, locally relevant programs with strong community ownership.

Survivor leadership directing solutions that reflect camp and settlement realities.

Our Progress

We measure progress through dignity restored, livelihoods launched, and communities mobilized against violence. Every woman trained, every VSLA group formed, and every survivor supported represents a step toward safer, more resilient communities where women lead.

👩
Women Empowered
💼
Livelihoods Created
🤝
Communities Protected

Our Vision

A society where women and girls live free from violence, with dignity, equal opportunities, and sustainable livelihoods.

Our Mission

To empower vulnerable women, girls, and youth through practical skills training, financial inclusion, education, and GBV prevention enabling them to become self-reliant and resilient.

Our Core Values

  • Dignity
  • Sisterhood
  • Healing Justice
  • Community Power

Guided by

Guided by dignity, equality, and community power

These values ground every DEVIOW program and partnership, keeping us accountable to the women and girls who lead this movement.

Respect for Human Dignity

Every person deserves to be valued and treated with respect.

Integrity & Accountability

Transparency and responsibility guide our actions.

Gender Equality

We advocate for equal rights, opportunities, and representation.

Compassion & Empathy

We lead with understanding, humanity, and survivor-centered care.

Community-Driven Solutions

Local ownership and collective impact power sustainable change.

Challenges we face

We act because violence, poverty, and inequality persist

Violence

GBV remains widespread in displacement settings. We provide safe reporting pathways, dialogues, and survivor accompaniment.

Poverty

Limited work permits make livelihoods difficult. We equip women with portable skills, savings groups, and entrepreneurship support.

Inequality

Women and girls are underrepresented in leadership. We cultivate advocacy, civic participation, and gender equality education.

Lack of economic opportunity

Safe, inclusive learning spaces are scarce. Play & Grow nurtures children with creativity, empathy, and opportunity.

Milestones

Our achievements so far

From safe spaces to VSLA groups, every milestone reflects the power of women organizing for their own liberation.

75+

Women trained in financial literacy & small business management.

4

Active VSLA groups strengthening financial inclusion.

25

Tailoring graduates now supplying garments to local markets.

22

Community awareness campaigns on rights, protection, and empowerment.