The Coexist Initiative

The Coexist Initiative

<div id="toc">
<h2>Table of Contents</h2>
<ul>
<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="#w_background"><span class="tocnumber">1</span> <span class="toctext">Background</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="#w_our-vision"><span class="tocnumber">2</span> <span class="toctext">Our Vision</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="#w_our-mission"><span class="tocnumber">3</span> <span class="toctext">Our Mission</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="#w_programmes"><span class="tocnumber">4</span> <span class="toctext">Programmes</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="#w_east-african-regional-conference"><span class="tocnumber">5</span> <span class="toctext">East African Regional Conference</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="#w_see-also"><span class="tocnumber">6</span> <span class="toctext">See also</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="#w_external-links"><span class="tocnumber">7</span> Reference<span class="toctext">s</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2 id="w_background">Background</h2>
The Coexist Initiative was founded in 2002 and officially registered in 2005 as a non – profit network for men and boys organizations that work in the areas of sexual and gender – based violence (SGBV) and HIV prevention in "Gender . Main focus groups are men, boys and communities although programmes are also cross-cutting. The thematic interventions are guided by research, training, synergy development, advocacy, tools development and extensive grassroots engagement. The main objective of the interventions is to build competences, raise the levels of awareness, influence attitude/behaviour change and objectively provide information.

The SGBV programming specifically focuses on addressing attitudes that generate traditions of terror and encourage the use of violence as enshrined in patriarchy, negative masculinity and the entire negative socialization processes. Through the programme, the Coexist Initiative reverses the trend by targeting the men and boys and working with them to change negative attitudes, practices and beliefs that put women and girls at even greater risk and vulnerability including HIV infection. The Coexist Initiative is premised on the fact that GBV and other offshoots including HIV is a manifestation of unequal relations between women and men with roots deeply entrenched in social, economic and political informal conventions based on perceived men and boys “privilege” at the expense of girls and women’s vulnerability. The work of the Coexist Initiative is deeply anchored on the fact that men and boys remain the main perpetrators of "violence and girls; therefore the fundamental role of men and boys in fostering gender parity cannot be over emphasized yet largely ignored.

The Coexist Initiative works to actively and meaningfully involve the programme beneficiaries. The target groups are involved as participants in the conceptualization, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the programs as decision makers, advocates, peer educators, change agents, campaigners and as planners.

The Coexist Initiative is based in Nairobi, Kenya. Currently, the organization has offices in three other provinces. The Coexist is governed by an advisory council that is responsible for the directing and overseeing of the overall operations of the organization including strategic direction, programs and finances. The council is composed of a blend of diverse professional backgrounds, skills and experiences. The secretariat headed by the Chief Executive Officer who is mandated to oversee the operations of the organization.
<h2 id="w_our-vision">Our Vision</h2>
A world in which men and women, rich and poor, sick and healthy, urban and rural, are equal partners in the decision making process and in creating sustainable development aimed at bettering the quality of life
<h2 id="w_our-mission">Our Mission</h2>
To improve the quality of life of vulnerable groups (minorities, women, girls, youth, slum dwellers and displaced populations)
<h2 id="w_programmes">Programmes</h2>
<ul>
<li>Gender and sexual violence</li>
<li>FGM</li>
<li>HIV/AIDS</li>
<li>Child marriage</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="w_east-african-regional-conference">East African Regional Conference</h2>
The "Event:East is organised by Coexist Kenya. It will take place on 16-18 April 2013 at Esidai Country Resort in Nairobi (Kenya). The event will be a forum where participants can deliberate and share experiences on the dynamics of gender based violence by:
<ul>
<li>Sharing information, resources and capabilities.</li>
<li>Developing strategic relevant multi-stakeholder partnerships and alliances.</li>
<li>Consolidating, improving and supporting the activities of all relevant stakeholders in the</li>
</ul>
prevention of and response to gender based violence in Kenya.
<ul>
<li>Identifying good practices and interventions used by stakeholders in combating GBV</li>
<li>Initiating a process of collaboration and networking between Gender Equality and Equity</li>
</ul>
stakeholders.

For further information on how to register, please write to <a href="mailto:conference@coexistkenya.com">conference@coexistkenya.com</a> or <a href="http://www.coexistkenya.com/?page_id=506">register here</a>.
<h2 id="w_see-also">See also</h2>
<ul>
<li>"Event:East</li>
<li><a href="http://www.wikigender.org/images//7/7f/Role_of_men_and_boys.pdf">Role of men and boys in eliminating Gender based violence in Kenya</a>, by Wanjala Wafula</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="w_external-links">References</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.coexistkenya.com/">The Coexist Initiative</a></li>
</ul>