In a groundbreaking move, Gwiji for Women has partnered with Airbnb to revolutionize the laundry services industry in Kenya.
This innovative tech startup is making waves by empowering women from urban informal settlements, providing them with fair wages and professional opportunities through their app-based platform.
Gwiji for Women is not just another tech startup but a beacon of hope for many women in Kenya’s urban informal settlements.
By leveraging technology, Gwiji connects these women, often referred to as ‘mama fua,’ to well-paying cleaning gigs. This initiative is transforming the traditional laundry services industry, offering a more organized and professional approach.
The inspiration behind Gwiji for Women comes from the founder’s personal experiences. Growing up in informal settlements, she witnessed her mother’s struggles as she took on cleaning gigs to support their family.
This personal connection fueled her passion to create a platform that could offer similar opportunities to other women in need.
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Gwiji for Women operates by identifying, vetting, and training women from informal settlements before onboarding them onto their app-based gig work platform. This rigorous process ensures that the women have the necessary skills and professionalism to deliver quality services.
Through the app, these women can access well-paying cleaning gigs, significantly increasing their daily income and improving their quality of life.
Since its inception, Gwiji for Women has onboarded over 2,000 women, helping them transition from street-based job searches to the digital economy.
These women have seen their daily income increase from less than 200 shillings to an average of 800 shillings. This financial boost has allowed them to provide better for their families, including putting food on the table and sending their children to school.
The partnership with TRANSFORM, supported by Unilever, Ernst and Young (EY), and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), has been instrumental in Gwiji’s success. This collaboration has provided invaluable resources, mentorship, and expert support, enhancing Gwiji’s capacity to scale operations and amplify its impact.
“The impact of Gwiji for Women through the TRANSFORM partnership has been remarkable,” said Unilever Managing Director Luck Ochieng. “We are proud to support initiatives that empower women and drive economic growth in our communities.”
Looking ahead, Gwiji for Women aims to empower 10,000 women from informal settlements across Kenya. The startup also plans to expand its services to other regions and potentially other countries in Africa.
By continuing to provide economic opportunities, Gwiji hopes to break the cycle of poverty and create a brighter future for many more families.
Gwiji for Women is not just changing the ‘mama fua’ industry; it is changing lives, one cleaning gig at a time.
During the launch of Bizna@10, as Bizna Kenya marked ten years in business, Elizabeth Mwangi, the founder of Gwiji for Women, shared her excitement about the new partnership.
“We are thrilled to partner with Airbnb to expand our reach and provide more opportunities for women in informal settlements,” she said. “This collaboration is a significant step towards achieving our goal of empowering 10,000 women.”