Our Mission
Shifting Ideas Through Education for African Women inc., (SITEAW, INC.) is a non profit, non religious-affliated and non-governmental organization working with all people irrespective of religion, race, color, gender or status.
We seek to empower girls and women with education and skills in order to help them stand up peacefully and end oppressive traditions in their communities and ethnic groups.
Brief Background
of the Problem
Many societies (especially in Africa) practice gender discrimination and impose oppressive traditions, rituals, and taboos on women.
Female circumcision, inheriting of women, requiring a big dowry, premature marriage, beating and trafficking of women, sexual abuse, rape, and labor abuse are just a few of the injustices that African women face. They are forced to maintain a heavy work load even when they are sick or pregnant. Their ability to think critically and express themselves creatively is routinely blocked. Women are often abused at home and at work They also face bias in court and exploitation by churches and other religious groups. Women are often deprived of education, self actualization, freedom of expression, and participation in communal activities. They are excluded from important decision making, job discrimination, and denied equal pay for equivalent jobs and services as are provided by men.
These are all terrible chains that need to be broken.
And the time to do that is NOW!!
Women are the primary teachers of African society. Denying them education is denying society the greatest tool of growth and development. Let us hold every woman denied a right to education by the hand and raise her up.
Marlene & Olivia with school children
Nairobi, Africa
Objectives
1. To create awareness in the world about oppressive traditions for women.
2. To empower women and chldren with education and skills in order to gain a second chance in life.
3.To raise the needed funds to empower young girls with education and adult with skills so that they can become independent.
4. To work with local communities in finding solutions to the above-mentioned problems.
5. To find alternative initiation rites instead of FGM (Female Genital Mutilation).
6. To establish educational and counseling centers and encourage volunteers to offer their time in those
centers.
7. To encourage community seminars and workshops comprised of both men and women in order to tackle community problems together.
8. To put pressure on the Ministries of Education to include Gender Education and Human Rights Education in schools, starting in elementary (primary) school.
