Coast Kenya
A feminist, community-rooted network advancing transformative change
The Collective Solidarity of Women Alliance (COSWA) is a feminist, community-led network advancing transformative change at the intersection of women's empowerment, social justice, health equity, and inclusion across Kenya's Coast region. Founded in 2015, COSWA works to protect and expand the rights, well-being, and resilience of vulnerable women and girls in all their intersecting diversities.
Rooted in lived experience and grassroots leadership, COSWA addresses the structural drivers of inequality that disproportionately affect women and girls — including gender-based violence, harmful cultural and religious norms, economic marginalisation, restrictive policies, and barriers to accessing essential services such as healthcare, justice, education, and sustainable livelihoods.
Vision
A just, resilient, and socially inclusive society where women and girls in all their intersecting diversities can fully exercise their rights, and thrive in dignity.
Mission
To improve the quality of life of vulnerable women and girls by advancing their human rights, expanding access to health, justice, and economic opportunity, and building resilient, empowered communities through feminist leadership, grassroots organising, and systems-level advocacy.
Goal
To improve coordination, networking, institutional capacity strengthening, and knowledge management for enhanced synergy in programming for and with vulnerable women and girls across the Coastal regions of Kenya.
Core Values
Integrity • Intersectionality • Feminist Solidarity • Empowerment & Learning • Teamwork
Decade of Impact
Our Strategic Priorities
Seven interconnected pillars of feminist action — from grassroots organising to global policy advocacy.
Feminist Leadership & Development
Investing in the knowledge, skills, and confidence of women and adolescent girls to engage in civic processes, influence decision-making, and hold institutions accountable.
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GBV Prevention & Access to Justice
A comprehensive prevention–response–justice continuum addressing intimate partner violence, sexual violence, femicide, harmful practices, trafficking, and state-perpetrated violence.
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Sexual & Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Justice
Advancing sexual and reproductive health rights, mental wellbeing, and bodily autonomy across the life-cycle — with deliberate focus on adolescent girls and young women.
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Economic Empowerment & Livelihoods
Strengthening livelihoods, economic agency, asset ownership, and financial resilience for vulnerable women — particularly those in informal economies or exiting situations of violence.
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Climate Justice & Natural Resource Governance
Integrating climate vulnerability with women's rights — supporting women's leadership in climate action and strengthening community resilience across coastal communities.
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Movement Building & Alliance Strengthening
Strengthening grassroots women's movements through coalition building, alliance facilitation, peer learning, and tailored capacity strengthening for member groups.
Read MoreStories of Change
GBV & Justice
From silence to legal advocate
Amina grew up in a fishing community in Kilifi where women were rarely permitted to own land or speak in public forums. After join...
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Economic Empowerment
Building a business from solidarity
Zawadi was a single mother of three with no stable income when she joined COSWA's village savings and loans association in Kwale i...
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SRHR Justice
Finding safety and reclaiming joy
After escaping years of intimate partner violence, Fatuma struggled with severe trauma and isolation. COSWA's safe space in Mvita ...
Read MoreWho We Serve
Vulnerable women and girls in all their intersecting diversities across Kenya's Coast region.
Donors & Partners
Join the feminist movement for Coast Kenya
Questions, partnerships, media enquiries, or volunteer opportunities — we'd love to hear from you. Our team responds within 2 business days.