Blanar: Slovakia's Support in Kenya Helps to Stabilise Lives of Refugee Women

Nairobi/Bratislava, 11 June (TASR) - Under the SlovakAid programme, Slovakia is helping young refugee women and girls from vulnerable groups to complete specific education, integrate into society and achieve economic independence through the RefuSHE development project, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) has stated during his working visit to Kenya, where he presented a €10,000 cheque to support projects run by RefuSHE Kenya, TASR has learnt from the ministry's communications department. "The RefuSHE project is unique in that it's run by an organisation that cares for women and girls who had to flee poverty, violence or conflict in neighbouring countries. Through support from Slovakia, we're offering them an opportunity to reintegrate into society and land a job in order to put their own and their family's life on a stable footing," explained Blanar, adding that the financial contribution will make it possible to expand existing educational programmes to include digital literacy, digital security, the use of artificial intelligence in digital marketing, as well as other practical technical skills. Slovakia has a long-standing partnership with RefuSHE through the SlovakAid programme. In 2021 and 2022, it supported projects aimed at developing digital skills, vocational training and the economic empowerment of young women. RefuSHE Kenya has long been dedicated to supporting female refugees from countries in the region, primarily the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and South Sudan, as well as girls from socially disadvantaged backgrounds in Kenya. Alongside vocational training, it provides psychological and social support, plus assistance with entering the job market, added the ministry. Blanar is on a working visit to Kenya and Tanzania from 8 to 12 June 2026, aimed at strengthening Slovakia's political, economic and development partnerships in East Africa. Upon arrival in Kenya, he handed over humanitarian aid to the Kenyan Red Cross, thus confirming Slovakia's interest in continuing development and humanitarian cooperation with the country. While in Nairobi, he opened a Slovak-Kenyan Business and Development Forum, an event attended by the largest Slovak business mission ever to visit sub-Saharan Africa. Blanar also held bilateral talks in Kenya with the country's Vice-president Kithure Kindiki and National Assembly Speaker Moses Masika Wetangula, as well as with Director-General of the UN Office in Nairobi Zainab Hawa Bangura and the leadership of the UN Human Settlements Programme. As part of his trip, he also attended the awards ceremony for the winners of the second CyberGame Kenya cyber-security competition in Nairobi and supported the St. Philip Neri School in Joska, one of the most successful SlovakAid projects in Africa. jrg/df