Who We Are
Imara Women Alliance Network (IWAN) is a coalition of women’s groups and advocates across Kenya dedicated to advancing gender equality, protecting women’s rights, and empowering communities. Rooted in the belief that collective strength drives lasting change, IWAN unites diverse voices to challenge discrimination, end gender-based violence, and promote social and economic justice for women and girls.
Our Core Values
Guiding every action, every program, every life we touch with faith, integrity, and lasting impact.
- Integrity: Transparency and accountability in all actions.
- Solidarity: Standing together with women and girls for collective impact.
- Empowerment: Building capacity and resilience for sustainable change.
- Justice: Advocating for fairness, equality, and protection of rights.
- Innovation: Embracing new approaches to address emerging challenges.
Our Vision
A Kenya where women and girls live free from violence, inequality, and exclusion, empowered to lead, thrive, and transform their communities.
Our Mission
To unite women’s groups and advocates into a powerful alliance that promotes gender equality, protects women’s rights, and drives social and economic empowerment. Through advocacy, grassroots mobilization, and strategic partnerships, IWAN works to end gender-based violence, expand access to justice, and amplify women’s leadership in national development.
Our Reach
Headquartered in Meru County, Kenya, IWAN runs outreach programs across multiple counties, working with grassroots groups, civil society, government agencies, and international partners to ensure women’s leadership is central to Kenya’s development.
About the Founder: Juster Gaichugi
Juster Gaichugi grew up in Kenya at a time when women’s voices were often marginalized in decision-making spaces. From an early age, she witnessed the daily struggles faced by women in her community, including limited access to education, economic opportunities, and protection from gender-based violence. These formative experiences shaped her strong resolve to become a champion for women’s rights and empowerment.
Her passion was not only personal but deeply rooted in the conviction that when women rise, communities thrive. This belief became the foundation of her life’s work and continues to guide her leadership.
Founding Imara Women Alliance Network (IWAN)
Guided by a clear vision for collective action, Juster founded the Imara Women Alliance Network (IWAN) after recognizing that although many women’s groups were doing impactful work, their efforts were often fragmented and under-resourced. IWAN was created to unite these voices into a powerful alliance—strengthening advocacy, enhancing collaboration, and building resilient communities across Kenya.
Her founding vision was anchored in four core pillars:
• Economic empowerment of women through savings groups and entrepreneurship initiatives
• Protection of women and girls from gender-based violence
• Leadership development, enabling women to take up roles in governance and community transformation
• Community mobilization around equality, justice, and women’s rights
Achievements & Impact
Under Juster Gaichugi’s leadership, IWAN has grown into a dynamic grassroots movement with measurable impact:
• 500+ women empowered through training, mentorship, and leadership development
• 20+ savings groups established, supporting women’s financial independence and resilience
• 5,000+ members reached across Kenya, creating a strong ripple effect of empowerment
• Strategic partnerships formed with organizations and allies to strengthen sustainability and expand reach
These milestones reflect her unwavering commitment to building a Kenya where women and girls live free from violence, inequality, and exclusion.
Challenges & Resilience
Like many grassroots-led initiatives, IWAN has faced significant challenges, including limited funding, systemic barriers, and cultural resistance in some communities. However, Juster’s resilience, adaptive leadership, and ability to inspire collective action have sustained the movement. She consistently emphasizes that lasting social change requires persistence, unity, and courage.
Legacy & Continuing
VisionJuster Gaichugi’s legacy extends beyond programs and statistics—it lives in the transformed lives of women who were once voiceless and now stand as leaders, advocates, and entrepreneurs. Communities previously marked by inequality now benefit from networks of resilience, solidarity, and hope.
Transforming Lives Through Opportunity
We empower women across Kenya through targeted programs that build confidence, grow skills, and open pathways to economic independence.