Sophie Mbugua is a multimedia science journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. she covers environment and biodiversity, climate change, energy, and agriculture and gender issues in Sub-Saharan Africa. https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/contributor/sophie-mbugua/rss en Equal Pay and Opportunity Solutions Wed, 16 May 2018 11:30:00 +0000 Sophie Mbugua https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/05/16/in-kenya-access-to-water-gives-women-time-to-make-their-own-money https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/05/16/in-kenya-access-to-water-gives-women-time-to-make-their-own-money Having a clean water source close to home means women and girls no longer have to spend hours a day fetching water, and instead can focus on family, school and earning a decent income. Asset and Property Rights Wed, 09 May 2018 10:30:00 +0000 Sophie Mbugua https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/05/09/women-in-kenya-risk-their-livelihoods-to-stand-up-for-land-rights https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/05/09/women-in-kenya-risk-their-livelihoods-to-stand-up-for-land-rights When a mining company offered to relocate villagers in Kwale County, Kenya one woman farmer refused to leave and another took the deal. Now both are struggling to make ends meet as they demand equal and fair compensation. Informal Economy Mon, 30 Apr 2018 10:50:00 +0000 Sophie Mbugua https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/04/30/women-hit-hardest-by-kenyas-tourism-slump https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/04/30/women-hit-hardest-by-kenyas-tourism-slump Kenya’s tourism industry has been crippled by terrorism and political violence and let down by lack of development. For the women who rely on the sector for their income, the question is whether they will ever again earn enough to support their families. Blue Economy Plastic Pollution Solutions Thu, 05 Apr 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Sophie Mbugua https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/05/acting-local-how-a-kenyan-resort-town-in-grapples-with-marine-pollution https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/05/acting-local-how-a-kenyan-resort-town-in-grapples-with-marine-pollution Watamu is a popular tourist town that has had to organize a collective effort to keep its beaches and ocean clean. However, there are limits to what it can do about a global problem. Asset and Property Rights Fri, 23 Feb 2018 12:00:00 +0000 Sophie Mbugua https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/02/23/despite-new-laws-women-in-kenya-still-fight-for-land-rights https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/02/23/despite-new-laws-women-in-kenya-still-fight-for-land-rights When Kenya passed the Matrimonial Property Act five years ago, it joined a series of laws protecting women’s access to their property. But patriarchal traditions and lack of awareness about their rights leave many women fighting to keep land that is legally theirs. Financial Inclusion Informal Economy Wed, 07 Feb 2018 12:20:00 +0000 Sophie Mbugua https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/02/07/as-kenyas-cities-grow-women-risk-being-crowded-out-of-the-economy https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/02/07/as-kenyas-cities-grow-women-risk-being-crowded-out-of-the-economy As delegates gather for this year’s World Urban Forum, one urgent question is how to ensure urbanization doesn’t make it even harder for women in the informal economy to earn money and support their families. Asset and Property Rights Informal Economy Solutions Tue, 23 Jan 2018 07:00:00 +0000 Sophie Mbugua https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/01/23/the-village-that-gave-up-fgm-and-gender-taboos-because-of-economics https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/01/23/the-village-that-gave-up-fgm-and-gender-taboos-because-of-economics When the women of Rwandit village learned how much initiation ceremonies for girls and boys were really costing them – in terms of money and lost education – they radically reformed their traditions, giving women and girls more power in the process. Entrepreneurship Thu, 14 Dec 2017 11:06:57 +0000 Sophie Mbugua https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2017/12/14/cash-crop-women-farmers-in-kenya-beat-drought-with-native-grass https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2017/12/14/cash-crop-women-farmers-in-kenya-beat-drought-with-native-grass While farmers around Kenya struggle to grow enough maize to feed their families and their cattle, some women dairy farmers are boosting milk production and making money by growing and selling native grasses as cattle feed. Asset and Property Rights Fri, 10 Nov 2017 11:09:38 +0000 Sophie Mbugua https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2017/11/10/chinese-demand-for-donkey-skins-robbing-womens-livelihoods-in-kenya https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2017/11/10/chinese-demand-for-donkey-skins-robbing-womens-livelihoods-in-kenya Chinese demand for donkey skins has led to widespread poaching and pushed the price of the animals out of reach for many in Kenya. And when a family loses a donkey, it’s women who have to make up for the loss. Politics and Policy Fri, 15 Sep 2017 10:57:45 +0000 Sophie Mbugua https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/09/15/meet-the-male-champions-supporting-kenyas-new-women-politicians https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/09/15/meet-the-male-champions-supporting-kenyas-new-women-politicians More women than ever before were elected in Kenya’s disputed poll. While the presidential candidates prepare for a rerun, female representatives are getting ready to serve in their new roles across the country, with the help of supportive men. Equal Pay and Opportunity Mon, 03 Jul 2017 11:11:36 +0000 Sophie Mbugua https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2017/07/03/tobacco-a-blessing-and-a-poison-for-kenyas-women-farmers https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2017/07/03/tobacco-a-blessing-and-a-poison-for-kenyas-women-farmers For many of Kenya’s small farmers, growing tobacco is the only thing that makes economic sense. But cultivating the crop comes with a host of dangers for them and their families. Crisis and Conflict Solutions Wed, 14 Jun 2017 12:23:04 +0000 Sophie Mbugua https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/06/14/to-fight-drought-kenyan-women-farmers-adopt-conservation-agriculture https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/06/14/to-fight-drought-kenyan-women-farmers-adopt-conservation-agriculture In parts of Kenya, women farmers are turning away from traditional techniques and instead using mulching and machinery to protect their soil from the worst effects of drought. Asset and Property Rights Entrepreneurship Solutions Wed, 24 May 2017 09:35:30 +0000 Sophie Mbugua https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2017/05/24/kenyan-women-farmers-find-food-security-by-growing-for-a-brewery https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2017/05/24/kenyan-women-farmers-find-food-security-by-growing-for-a-brewery A self-help group of women farmers is defying the effects of climate change and making a steady income by growing drought-resistant sorghum on contract for a national brewery. Crisis and Conflict Wed, 23 Nov 2016 10:44:14 +0000 Sophie Mbugua https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/11/23/kenyas-women-farmers-get-business-boost-weather-texts https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/11/23/kenyas-women-farmers-get-business-boost-weather-texts As surprise flooding and unexpected droughts continue to hit Kenyan farmers, the government of Makueni region has put weather information into the hands of a local women’s group, giving villagers the farming advice they need from a source they can trust. Crisis and Conflict Mon, 14 Nov 2016 13:46:03 +0000 Sophie Mbugua https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/11/14/kenyas-women-farmers-clash-herders-wildlife https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/11/14/kenyas-women-farmers-clash-herders-wildlife As parts of Kenya are gripped by drought, people and animals increasingly come into conflict over water and grazing areas. In Lamu County, women farmers often have to face off against herders and wild animals as they compete for the dwindling resources. Crisis and Conflict Fri, 28 Oct 2016 12:47:46 +0000 Sophie Mbugua https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/10/28/shallow-well-full-hope-women-kenyas-lamu-county https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/10/28/shallow-well-full-hope-women-kenyas-lamu-county In many areas of rural Kenya, women spend hours each day searching for water. As they worry about the impact on their families and livelihoods, one project could help them take back the time stolen by the search for water.