For the Heinrich Böll Foundation, gender democracy means that patriarchal structures and power relations in private and public spheres are overcome; that social positions (work, income, power etc.) are conveyed by ability and not by virtue of gender; that a diversity of models and concepts of life are recognized as equally valuable and legitimate; and that a variety of gender identities and orientations are recognized, legally and by the society.

Thus, gender democracy is not only merely about "women's rights" or the empowerment of women in society, but encompasses a much wider vision of equality between the sexes, in areas both public and private.

For several years now, the Gender Forum, organised by the Heinrich Böll Foundation's regional office in Nairobi, regularly brings up the gender perspective into ongoing political debates in Kenya. We initiate and disseminate studies that provide a "gender lens" to policy issues such as government budgeting and the use of devolved funds (such as the Constituency Development Fund - CDF). Our programme supports the organisations working on the problem of violence against women; this includes a "men-to-men" network of male activists lobbying against gender-based violence and providing support services for violence victims. The Foundation also supports women's organisations in South-Central Somalia and Somaliland that work on strengthening the role of women in on-going political and peace processes.