Turning research into action: SIT alumna advances women’s health and human rights in rural Kenya
June 10th, 2026 | Africa, Alumni, Fellowships, SIT Study Abroad
School for International Training (SIT) has named Haimanot Assefa, a 2025 alumna of SIT’s Kenya: Global Health and Human Rights program, as the newest Alice Rowan Swanson Fellow.
Assefa recently graduated from Denison University with a global health degree. For her fellowship, she plans to implement the project “Healing in Dignity: A Rural Women's Endometriosis & Peace Campaign in Kisumu County, Kenya,” a grassroots campaign designed to raise awareness about endometriosis and strengthen healthcare for rural women and girls in Kenya. Endometriosis, a chronic condition where tissue grows outside the uterus causing severe pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and sometimes infertility, affects one in ten women of reproductive age. But it is often misdiagnosed and not treated properly due to the mistaken assumption that it is rare in African women.
The idea for this project started during Assefa’s study abroad experience in Kisumu County. For her Independent Study Project, she conducted independent research and interviewed rural women who were experiencing endometriosis symptoms to examine the impact on their quality of life. She learned that many women are not aware that severe menstrual pain is abnormal and treatable.
In her research, Assefa found that deep-rooted societal taboos prevent women from discussing their pain or seeking care, leading many to rely on traditional herbs for relief. Widespread misinformation about the causes and treatment of their symptoms is common, with the prevailing belief that hospitals cannot provide effective treatment. Rural women tend to have lower incomes and live far from specialized medical facilities, which limits their access to adequate gynecological services. These challenges diminish their quality of life and adversely affect their mental health, with many participants reporting depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
In partnership with the Endometriosis Foundation of Kenya (EFK) and Community Health Promoters (CHPs) in Kisumu, Assefa’s project will help organize clinical trainings for CHPs and healthcare workers on endometriosis and trauma-informed care. Dr. Charles Muteshi, a clinical advisor for the EFK and an endometriosis care expert, will lead the trainings, which will also result in the creation of a training manual for CHPs and healthcare workers nationwide.
Additionally, Assefa will organize community listening circles with local faith leaders and CHPs in churches and markets. These community conversations will educate about symptoms, treatment, and access to care, as well as teach loved ones how they can support women with endometriosis. They will distribute dignity kits, which include reusable sanitary pads, hygiene items, and information cards. These discussions will connect women and girls who are experiencing endometriosis symptoms with CHPs who can then refer them to proper health facilities and gynecologists.
Throughout the campaign, a photographer will produce various forms of visual media, including a brief documentary with Kiswahili subtitles, social media reels, a portrait series with key messages, and graphic templates addressing myths and care options.
By addressing the gaps through community dialogue, clinical training, and visual documentation, this project aims to foster social cohesion, healing, and improved health equity. Assefa shares, “I am very honored to be able to carry on the legacy of Alice Rowan Swanson. Thank you to her and her family for giving me this opportunity to make a real-world impact. I will work hard to make the most of this amazing opportunity.”
The Alice Rowan Swanson Fellowship was established in 2009 by the family of SIT Nicaragua 2006 alumna Alice Rowan Swanson as a living tribute to her life, her passion for bridging cultures and helping others, and the role that SIT Study Abroad played in her life. A 2007 Amherst College graduate, Alice was killed while riding her bike to work in 2008. The fellowships are awarded twice annually to SIT Study Abroad and International Honors Program alumni to return to their program country and pursue further development projects benefiting human rights in that region.