The Women Educational Researchers of Kenya (WERK) is a professional membership organization established in 1993, born from the shared vision of a group of pioneering women researchers determined to make education and social research more inclusive and gender-responsive. At a time when women’s voices were largely absent from research, policymaking, and education reform in Kenya, WERK set out to change that narrative by bringing together women researchers, education experts, and social development practitioners to champion evidence-based action and advocacy.
YEARS OF existence
What began as a small network of passionate women researchers has grown into a nationally recognized organization at the forefront of education research, gender equality advocacy, and innovative program implementation. For over thirty years, WERK has influenced national education policy, conducted groundbreaking research, and piloted transformative programs, all driven by the core belief that research should lead to action and that action should be grounded in research.
At the heart of WERK’s work is the conviction that quality education, gender equality, and social justice are interconnected and inseparable. By linking research to advocacy and action, WERK ensures that policies and programs are not only informed by credible evidence but also responsive to the lived realities of girls, women, and marginalized communities. This holistic approach ensures that knowledge is not just produced for its own sake, but also used to shape a more just, inclusive, and equitable future for all.
We have particular interest in arid and semi-arid areas, that are considered informal settlement areas and areas hardship areas such as North Eastern. We also have worked with communities that are at risk or those that are considered vulnerable. Our presence is in Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Narok, Kajiado, Lamu, Malindi, Marsabit, Nairobi, Eldoret, Nakuru, Kisumu, Homabay, Turkana, Samburu, Tana River, Siaya, Garissa, Isiolo, Kiambu, Bungoma, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Meru, Embu and Machakos among other areas. In the global arena, WERK has done some work in regions such as Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Sudan, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda and Mozambique among other nations.
A society that values the centrality of knowledge for the creation of a humane, equitable, and prosperous society.
The mission of WERK is to contribute to knowledge generation and utilization through linking research to policy and action.
Equity, Inclusivity, Integrity, Excellence & Learning
Our work is rooted in the understanding that quality education, gender equality, and evidence-based decision-making are inseparable pillars of sustainable development and social justice. Each of these areas intersect to form a holistic approach that promotes equity, inclusivity, and the rights of marginalized communities, particularly girls and women. Through these thematic areas, WERK translates research into action, ensuring that policies, programs, and advocacy efforts are informed by credible data and centered on the needs and voices of the communities served.
WERK’s education programs draw from evidence generated through research, ensuring that interventions are responsive to real needs and adaptable to changing contexts
Gender equality programming is WERK’s deliberately intersectional and evidence-driven, promoting gender-responsive education systems and women’s leadership to advance SDG 5 and ensure no one is left behind
WERK’s research is renowned for its methodological rigor, participatory approach,and focus on turning evidence into practical action.
WERK envions an inclusive education system where every learner regardless of gender, sociaoeconomic background, or location can access, participate in, and benefit from quality learning opportunities.This commitment is directly aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 4) which seeks to ensure in- clusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Early childhood Development Education (ECDE) : Advocating improved access, quality and affordability of pre-primary education especialy in underseved counties.
Primary and Secondary Education : Supporting learning improvement transition and reaction with focus on marginalized learners, out -of-school children , learners with disabilities, especially girls
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET): Promoting gender-responsive vocational skills to enhance youth employability
Education in Emergencies (EiE): Addressing barriers to education for learners in conflict-affected areas, while supporting uninterrupted learning, access to safe water, and the re-enrolment of children affected by disasters.
Life Skills and Holistic Education: Integrating essential life skills, social-emotional learning, and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) into education programs to ensure well-rounded learner development
WERK recognizes that education alone cannot advance sustainable development unless gender equality is actively pursued and institutionalized.
We promote gender-responsive education systems, prevents and addresses gender-based violence, and fosters women’s leadership and participation in education policy and programming. This focus directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5), which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Our work particularly targets adolescent girls and women drawn from marginalized community, persons living with disabilities, and refugee populations, ensuring that all interventions are rights-based and evidence-driven. WERK’s gender equality programming therefore, is deliberately intersectional, rights-based, and evidence-driven, leveraging research findings to advocate for transformative change
WERK’s research capabilities cover:
Education research: includes large-scale learning assessments, baseline, midline, and endline evaluations, and policy reviews.
Gender research: examining barriers to girls’ education, gender-based violence, women’s economic empowerment, and gender-responsive budgeting.
Action research and innovation pilots: co-creating and testing innovative approaches in education and gender programming to identify scalable solutions.
Policy research and analysis: generating evidence to inform national and county education and gender policies, ensuring they are inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the needs of women, girls, and marginalized communities.
WERK recognizes that meaningful change is best achieved through strategic partnerships. Over the years, WERK has cultivated strong collaborations with government agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, research institutions, and community-based organizations. Over 66 partners (organizations &168 policy makers ) have been engaged.
