A multi-award-winning Kenyan NGO transforming gender norms, advancing human rights, and ending violence against women and girls — by engaging men and boys as agents of change.
"Reversing the trend by working with men, youth and boys to protect women and girls."Wanjala Wafula — Founder & Executive Director
The Coexist Initiative is a community-based, not-for-profit organization built on a unique premise: ending violence against women and girls requires transforming the attitudes of men and boys who perpetuate it.
Registered in Kenya in 2005, we work at the intersection of gender transformation, human rights, and conflict mitigation — addressing the deep roots of patriarchy, negative masculinity, and harmful cultural practices.
Our work has been recognized by UNESCO, UNHCR, UNAOC, and the Arms Trade Treaty as examples of global best practice.
By working directly with men, boys, community leaders, and cultural institutions, we address the socialization processes that put women and girls at risk — before harm occurs.
"One of the most effective organizations working to end violence against women and girls."
— Global Experts RecognitionTransforming negative masculinity by engaging men and boys as active agents of change in their communities.
Community-based interventions addressing root causes of gender-based violence and harmful cultural practices.
Tackling the intersection of gender inequality and HIV vulnerability to reduce infection risk.
Building awareness and accountability through workshops, publications, and public campaigns.
Working with traditional leaders to challenge cultural practices that perpetuate inequality and violence.
Equipping the next generation with values and tools to become gender champions in their communities.
Support Coexist Initiative's work transforming communities across East Africa. Every contribution helps us engage more men, protect more women, and build a more just society.
Founded in 2005 in Kenya, the Coexist Initiative has grown from a community-based organization into a globally recognized leader in gender transformation and human rights advocacy.
Coexist was founded on the conviction that lasting change in communities requires working with those who hold power — men, boys, and community leaders — to shift the attitudes and systems that enable gender-based violence.
Over two decades, this approach has been validated by some of the world's leading human rights bodies, and our materials have been translated into languages across the globe.
A society where women and girls live free from violence, discrimination, and inequality — where men and boys are active partners in building a just and equitable world.
To promote gender transformation, human rights, and social justice by engaging men, boys, and communities to address the root causes of gender-based violence and inequality across East Africa.
Author of five books on gender and masculinity in Africa, Wanjala founded Coexist in 2005 and has led it to become one of East Africa's most recognized gender justice organizations.
Leads and oversees all project operations across Kenya and the East Africa region, coordinating community-based interventions and field teams.
Supports project leadership in coordinating daily operations, field activities, and community engagement programmes across East Africa.
Our programs are designed around a proven insight: lasting change requires working with men, boys, and community structures — not just responding to the effects of inequality.
Our flagship program recognizes men and boys not as the problem, but as the most powerful agents of change in gender transformation. By engaging them directly, we shift the cultural scripts around masculinity, power, and responsibility.
Through workshops, community dialogues, and peer-to-peer mentorship, we create spaces for men and boys to critically examine harmful norms — and choose different paths.
Gender-based violence is rooted in unequal power dynamics, harmful norms, and a culture of silence. Coexist's GBV prevention work attacks these roots — not just the outcomes.
We work with survivors, perpetrators, community leaders, and institutions to build environments where violence is named, challenged, and refused.
HIV vulnerability is shaped by gender inequality. Women and girls face higher risk due to power imbalances that limit their ability to negotiate safe sex or leave risky relationships. Coexist addresses this link directly.
Our HIV prevention work integrates gender transformation with health education — recognizing that changing norms is as important as distributing information.
Young people are not just beneficiaries of our work — they are its future leaders. Coexist invests deeply in equipping youth with the values, knowledge, and confidence to become gender champions in their schools and communities.
Our youth programs create peer networks that sustain change far beyond our direct engagement, building a generation of advocates for equality.
Two decades of community work, international recognition, and documented impact across Kenya and East Africa.
From community workshops to international award ceremonies — a visual record of the Coexist Initiative's work across East Africa.
Updates, impact stories, and news from the Coexist Initiative and our work across East Africa.
The Coexist Initiative was awarded the 2018 UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize at a ceremony in Paris, recognizing its innovative approach to gender equality and social justice by involving men, boys, and community leaders.
Read more →Over 120 young people graduated from Coexist's intensive youth peer educator program, expanding our reach into Kisumu, Nakuru, and Mombasa.
Read more →Post-intervention surveys from our 6-month Machakos program show significant shifts in reported attitudes around gender roles and violence.
Read more →Your donation directly funds community programs, youth leadership training, and gender transformation work across East Africa.
Funds workshops and dialogues that shift how men and boys think about gender, power, and responsibility.
Equips young people with knowledge and confidence to become gender champions in their schools and communities.
Directly reduces gender-based violence and harmful cultural practices in the communities we serve.
10+ international awards validate the effectiveness of Coexist's approach — your donation funds proven work.
Bank transfer: Contact us for wire transfer details for larger gifts or organizational donations.
M-Pesa (Kenya): Donate directly via M-Pesa. (+254) 728 301 232.
Join a community of changemakers working to build gender-just communities across East Africa. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds.
Whether you have expertise in communications, research, field facilitation, or just a passion for gender justice — there's a place for you at Coexist.
Whether you're interested in partnering, donating, volunteering, or just learning more about our work — reach out and we'll be in touch.
For interviews, press releases, and media requests, please contact our communications team at media@coexist.co.ke