Child Protection, Education & Gender Empowerment
Protecting Children. Advancing Education. Empowering the Next Generation.
At Communities for Africa Network – Kenya (CAN-K), we believe every child deserves to grow up safe, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Across many communities, children and young people face challenges that limit their opportunities and threaten their safety. These challenges include violence, exploitation, barriers to education, and social inequalities that disproportionately affect girls, refugees, and other vulnerable groups.
Our programs work to strengthen child protection systems, promote access to education, and empower both girls and boys with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to lead positive change in their communities.
Why This Work Matters
Children are the foundation of every community, yet many, including refugees and those affected by poverty or displacement, face barriers to safe learning and protection. CAN-Kenya works with schools, families, and local institutions to create safe, inclusive environments where children can learn, grow with dignity, and develop into confident, contributing members of society
What We Do
School-based child protection programs
- Establishing school-based child protection programs
- Raising awareness about child rights and safeguarding
- Training teachers and school leaders on child protection practices
- Supporting peer mentorship and youth engagement programs
- Creating safe reporting mechanisms for children
Supporting Vulnerable & Refugee Children
- Providing legal awareness and referrals for children at risk
- Supporting access to education for vulnerable children
- Engaging parents and caregivers to strengthen child wellbeing
- Promoting community safeguarding mechanisms
- Working with schools and protection actors to strengthen child protection systems
- Supporting age appropriate structured and none structured group activities for child well-being
- Supporting the strengthening or establishment of community-based child protection systems
Preventing Sexual & Gender-Based Violence (SGBV)
- Conducting awareness campaigns on gender equality and prevention of violence
- Upholding dignity, respect, and personal autonomy.
- Supporting dignity kit distribution initiatives
- Engaging community leaders to address harmful social norms
- Providing information and referrals for protection services
- Providing legal advice and representation to survivors of gender-based violence
Complementary Education Pathways for Refugee Learners
- Supporting refugee learners and youth with limited access to tertiary education opportunities in Kenya to pursue complementary education pathways
- Providing information, referrals, and preparatory support for scholarships, admissions, and university application processes
- Working with institutions and pathway actors to connect eligible refugee learners to higher education opportunities in third countries through safe and regulated pathways
- Assisting with documentation guidance, application procedures, and case support to help address barriers to access
- Promoting higher education opportunities that enhance protection, dignity, self-reliance, and solutions outcomes for displaced populations
Gender Empowerment & Youth Leadership
- Providing leadership and life-skills training
- Promoting rights awareness for girls and boys
- Encouraging youth participation in community decision-making
- Advocating for gender responsive budgeting with key stakeholders
- Supporting initiatives that build confidence and leadership among young people
Our Impact
Our programs keep children safe, improve learning, advance child rights, and foster gender equality, youth leadership, and community support for child wellbeing.
Support Child Protection & Education
Every child deserves safety, education, and opportunity. Your support helps expand programs that protect vulnerable children, promote gender equality, prevent violence and exploitation, and strengthen education and youth leadership initiatives. By supporting Communities for Africa Network – Kenya (CAN-K), you are helping communities create safer environments where children can learn, grow, and thrive. Support grassroots leadership and create lasting change by donating to protect children, supporting education programs, or partnering with CAN-K to expand community-driven solutions.