
- Location
- Kortenaerkade 12, 's - Gravenhage
- Room
- I4-38
- Telephone
- 0704260578
- okwany@iss.nl
More information
Profile
I am Assistant Professor of Social Policy at The International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam. My scholarship centers on the relationship between policy, practice and theory for children, youth and their families in contexts of risk and marginalization. My research and teaching revolve around the themes of education, including care and development in the early years, child vulnerability, and child-sensitive social protection, (adolescent) sexuality and reproductive health with a specific focus on Eastern Africa. My scholarship building privileges research that is attentive to epistemic diversity, highlighting the need to foreground-situated accounts, which are often marginalized by the dominant narrative. In this endeavor of pursuing epistemic justice, I have built alliances with scholars in the region in nurturing and mentoring emerging researchers on Afrocentric, situated approaches. My current research outputs include a co-edited volume, Early Childhood Care and Education on the Margins: African Perspectives (Forthcoming 2018, Routledge); An Edited Volume, Social Protection for Vulnerable Children and Youth in Africa (Forthcoming 2018, CODESRIA Books); Ongoing research on young motherhood in Kenya/Uganda and an edited volume on Sexuality and Reproductive Health and Rights in Uganda. I am co-editor of the Routledge/ISS-EUR Gender and Sexuality Book Series. Using this scholarship to improve policy and practice, I have been involved in coordinating several externally funded research, development and capacity building projects in Eastern Africa. I am currently the Lead Researcher for Tanzania of a two-year Oak Foundation-funded research project “Adolescent Perceptions on Healthy Relationships in Tanzania and Bulgaria.” I am also the Overall Director of the four-year (2016-2020) Netherlands Government funded EUR-ISS project, “Strengthening Education and Training Capacity in Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SET-SRHR) in Uganda.
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- L.A. Okwany, E. Ngutuku & A. Muhangi (2011). The Role of Local Knowledge in Childcare in Africa. A Sociological Study of Several Communities in Kenya and Uganda. Lewiston, New York: The Edwin Mellen Press
- N. Awortwi & L.A. Okwany (Ed.). (2010). Issues in Local Governance and Social Development in Uganda. Maastricht: Shaker Publishing
- L.A. Okwany, E. Ngutuku & A. Muhangi (2011). The Role of Local Knowledge in Childcare in Africa. A Sociological Study of Several Communities in Kenya and Uganda. Lewiston, New York: The Edwin Mellen Press
- N. Awortwi & L.A. Okwany (Ed.). (2010). Issues in Local Governance and Social Development in Uganda. Maastricht: Shaker Publishing
- L.A. Okwany & A. Kamusiime (2017). Foregrounding the tensions and silences in education policies for student-mothers in Uganda and Kenya. Childhood in Africa, 4 (1), 57-69.
- K.E. Cheney & L.A. Okwany (2017). Introduction: Toward social justice for children and youth in East Africa. Childhood in Africa, 4 (1), 4-10.
- E.M. Ngutuku & L.A. Okwany (2017). Youth as researchers: Navigating generational power issues in adolescent sexuality and reproductive health research. Childhood in Africa, 4 (1), 70-82. [go to publisher's site]
- A. Munene & L.A. Okwany (2016). Interrogating the ‘artificial’ divide between health and education for children aged 0–3 years in urban poor locales in Kenya. South African Journal of Childhood Education, 6 (2). doi: 10.4102/sajce.v6i2.465
- L.A. Okwany (2016). ‘Every mother dances her baby’: Contextually responsive narratives of early childhood care and education in Kenya and Uganda. South African Journal of Childhood Education, 6 (2). doi: 10.4102/sajce.v6i2.464
- L.A. Okwany & E.M. Ngutuku Mulongo (2009). Brooding on vulnerable children and caregivers: Leveraging IKS to build resilience in compromised care environments. Early Childhood Development, 52-58.
- L.A. Okwany & R. Wazir (2016). Changing Social Norms to Universalize Girls' Education in East Africa. Lessons from a Pilot Project. Antwerp-Apeldoorn: Garant
- L.A. Okwany, E. Ngutuku & A. Muhangi (2011). The Role of Local Knowledge in Childcare in Africa. A Sociological Study of Several Communities in Kenya and Uganda. Lewiston, New York: The Edwin Mellen Press
- L.A. Okwany, E.M. Ngutuku & A. Muhangi (2011). The role of Local knowledge and Culture In child care in Africa: A Sociological Study of Several Ethnic groups in Kenya and Uganda. New York: Edwin Mellen Press
- D. Boyco, W. Elbers & L.A. Okwany (2020). How inclusive is the disability movement? The case of North-West Cameroon. In W Elbers (Ed.), Breaking down Barriers to inclusion : Pushing boundaries in Disability Advocacy (pp. 57-64). Den Bosch: Liliane Foundation
- E. Frobisher, W. Elbers & L.A. Okwany (2019). Gendered Disability Advocacy: Lessons from the Girl Power Programme in Sierra Leone. In M. Berghs, T. Chataika, Y. El-Lahib & K. Dube (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Disability Activism (Routledge International Handbooks). London: Routledge
- L.A. Okwany & E.M. Ngutuku (2018). Social protection and citizenship rights of vulnerable children: a perspective on interventions by non-state actors in Western Kenya. In N. Awortwi & G. Walter-Drop (Eds.), Non-state social protection actors and services in Africa: governance below the state (African Governance, 2) (pp. 55-71). New York: Routledge [go to publisher's site]
- K. Adalbertus, E. Nyankweli & L.A. Okwany (2018). Governance dynamics in the provision of community based social protection services in Tanzania. In N. Awortwi & G. Walter-Drop (Eds.), Non-state social protection actors and services in Africa: governance below the state (African Governance, 2). New York: Routledge
- L.A. Okwany & H.B. Ebrahim (2018). Creating visibility for birth to 3 in Africa: A push from the margins. In H.B. Ebrahim, A. Okwany & O. Barry (Eds.), Early Childhood Care and Education at the Margins African Perspectives on Birth to Three (pp. 1-15). London: Routledge [go to publisher's site] doi: 10.4324/9781351185158
- L.A. Okwany (2016). Gendered Norms and Girls’ Education in Kenya and Uganda: A social norms perspective. In L.A Okwany & R. Wazir (Eds.), Changing Social Norms to Universalize Girls' Education in Africa: Lessons from a Pilot Project (pp. 12-28). Antwerp-Appeldorn: Garant
- L.A. Okwany & E. Ngutuku (2015). Social protection and citizenship rights of vulnerable children: a perspective on interventions by non-state actor's in western Kenya. In W Gregor & N Awortwi (Eds.), Governance below the state: non state actors'social protection interventions in Africa. Palgrave-Macmillan
- L.A. Okwany & H.B. Ebrahim (2015). Rethinking Epistemology and Methodology in Early Childhood Research in Africa. In A. Farrel, S.L. Kagan & K. Tisdall (Eds.), The SAGE Handbook of Early Childhood Research (SAGE Reference) (pp. 432-448). London: Sage
- L.A. Okwany & A. Muhangi (2010). Extending Downwards: Universal Early Childhood Care and Development in Uganda. In N. Awortwi & L.A. Okwany (Eds.), Issues in Social Development and Local Governance in Uganda (pp. 157-170). Maastricht: Shaker Publishing BV
- L.A. Okwany & A. Adala (2009). From Schooling for Some to Lifelong Learning for All: A Paradigm Shift for Education and Development in Africa. In M.N. Amutabi & M.O. Oketch (Eds.), Studies in Lifelong Learning in Africa: From Ethnic Traditions to Technological Innovations (hors série, 0) (pp. ch. 11). Lewiston, NY: The Edwin Mellen Press
- N. Oudenhoven van, R. Wazir & L.A. Okwany (2006). Newly Emerging Needs of Children in Kenya. In Newly Emerging Needs of Children and Youth: An Exploration. Antwerpen: Garant
- L.A. Okwany (2003). Entering the Quagmire: Examining state-NGO Interaction in the provision of Education for Urban Poor Children in Kenya. In M. Sutton & R. Arnove (Eds.), State-NGO Relations in Educational Policy Formulation and Appropriation: Case Studies from the Field (pp. 27). Norwood: Ablex Publishing
- H.B. Ebrahim, L.A. Okwany & O. Barry (Ed.). (2018). Early Childhood Care and Education at the margins: African perspectives on birth to three. (Research in ECCE: EECERA). London: Routledge [go to publisher's site]
- N. Awortwi & L.A. Okwany (Ed.). (2010). Issues in Local Governance and Social Development in Uganda. Maastricht: Shaker Publishing
- E.M. Ngutuku, A. Munene, E. Ombagi & L.A. Okwany (2018). Sexuality and Reproductive Health of Deaf and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth in Kenya : Infantilising and Di(s)abling Discources. (Extern rapport). Senegal: CODESRIA
- L.A. Okwany & E.M. Ngutuku (2015). Strengthening or Weakening State-Citizen Social Contract: Governance and Accountability Dynamics of Non-State Actors Providing Social Protection for Vulnerable Children in Western Kenya. (Preprints). Nairobi: Partnership for African Social and Governance Research
- L.A. Okwany (2005). Newly Emerging Needs of Children and Youth in Kenya, in: R. Wazir and N. van Oudenhoven , Newly Emerging Needs of Children and Youth an Exploration. Amsterdam: PLAN Nederland
- L.A. Okwany (2018). Evaluative Study of Eardrop Foundation's Early Intervention Programme in Kenya. (Extern rapport). Apeldoorn: Eardrop Foundation
- E.M. Ngutuku, A. Munene, E. Ombagi & L.A. Okwany (2018). Sexual and Reproductive Health Information and Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth In Kenya: A perspective on Contested Pathways. (Extern rapport). Senegal: CODESRIA
- L.A. Okwany, E.M. Ngutuku & A. Kamusiime (2016). Operations Research: Keep It Real (KIR) Sexuality Education Programme for Young People in Uganda. (Extern rapport). The Hague: Save the Children Netherlands
- L.A. Okwany, E.M. Ngutuku, A. Assefa & A. Mekonnen (2016). Operations Research: Keep It Real (KIR) Sexuality Education Programme for Young People in Ethiopia. (Extern rapport). The Hague: Save the Children Netherlands
- L.A. Okwany, A. Assefa, E.M. Ngutuku & A. Mekonnen (2014). Formative Research on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health in Ethiopia. (Extern rapport). : Submitted to Save the Children
- L.A. Okwany, A. Kamusiime & E.M. Ngutuku (2014). Formative Research on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health in Uganda. (Extern rapport). : Submitted to Save the Children
- L.A. Okwany (2014). Planting Seeds of Quality Education: The Impact of Harambee Foundation Holland Partnerships in Western Kenya. (Extern rapport). : Submitted to Harambee Foundation Holland
- L.A. Okwany & E.M. Ngutuku (2014). Social Protection and Citizenships rights for vulnerable Chidlren in Kenya. (Extern rapport). Nairobi: Partnership for African Social and Governance research
- A. Muhangi, E.M. Ngutuku & L.A. Okwany (2012). Emerging Good Practice from the Integrated Area Based Approach ’, Project for the Elimination of Worst Forms of Child Labour in Uganda. (Extern rapport). Geneva: ILO
- E.M. Ngutuku, A. Muhangi & L.A. Okwany (2012). Action Research on the Integrated Area Based Approach and Child Labour Monitoring Systems in Rakai District, Uganda. (Extern rapport). Geneva: International Labour Organization
- A. Muhangi, E. Ngutuku & L.A. Okwany (2012). Action Research on the Integrated Area Based Approach and Child Labour Monitoring Sustems in Rakai District, Uganda. (Extern rapport). Kampala: ILO/IPEC
- L.A. Okwany & E. Ngutuku, A. Muhanji (2011). Youth and Cooperatives in Africa: Factors that Shape their Inclusion and Participation. (Extern rapport). Nairobi: The Africa Confederation of Cooperatives, Credit and Savings Organisations (ACCOSCA)
- L.A. Okwany & E. Ngutuku, A. Muhanji (2011). Youth and Cooperatives in Africa: Factors that Shape their Inclusion and Participation. (Extern rapport). Nairobi: The Africa Confederation of Cooperatives, Credit and Savings Organisations (ACCOSCA)
- L.A. Okwany & M.E. Wuyts (2004). Evaluation of the Multi-Disciplinary Multi-Annual Research Program - Case study of REPOA, Tanzania. (Extern rapport). Den Haag: Ministry of Development Cooperation
- L.A. Okwany & H.B. Ebrahim (2016). Epistemic Justice in Early Childhood Research in Africa (Keynote Address). In 2nd South African Research Association for Early Childhood International Conference
- L.A. Okwany, H.B. Ebrahim & O. Barry (2016). ECCE at the Margins: African Perspectives on Birth to Three (Forthcoming Edited Book). In 26th European Early Childhood Education Research Association Conference. Dublin, Ireland
- K.E. Cheney & L.A. Okwany (2018, september 6). Overcoming the Adult Gaze in Participatory Research with Young People. University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Contemporary Childhood Conference - Children in Space, Place and Time.
- L.A. Okwany, K.E. Cheney & A. Kamusiime (2018, september 18). Adolescent Participatory Research: A Proactive Approach to Violence affecting Young People. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, VAC Conference - Children and Youth facing Violence in Africa: What do we know? What can we do?.
- L.A. Okwany (2015, september 15). Diversity of Voice in ECD: Listening to Counter-narratives from the Margins. Dakar, Senegal, CODESRIA Child and Youth Institute 2015 - African Perspectives of Early Childhood Care and Education: Theory, Discourse, Policy and Practice for Children from Birth to Three Years.
- K.E. Cheney & L.A. Okwany (2013, juni 10). Neocolonialism and Homophobia in Uganda. ISS, The Hague, Netherlands, Development Research Seminar/Sexuality Research Initiative series.
- L.A. OkwanyChildren and Poverty: Notions of Childhood in Development Discourses and Policies. Tanzania, Distance learning unit for the Tanzania Diploma in Poverty Analysis. Module 3 unit 10.
- L.A. OkwanyFree primary Education: Are we postponing Exclusion? Tanzania, Distance learning unit on Education and Social Policy for the Tanzania Diploma in Poverty Analysis. Module 3 unit 5.
- L.A. Okwany & E.M. Ngutuku (2020). Teaching and Researching in a Broken Vessel: The Gender Question.
- L.A. Okwany (2012). A Balancing Act: Competing and Collaborating Voices of Stakeholders in State-NGO Programming for Children and Youth Development in Africa. First International Interdisciplinary Annual Conference: 'Africa’s Golden Jubilee: Assessing 50 Years of Scholarship and Development in Africa: Nairobi (2012, juni 26 - 2012, juni 30).
- L.A. Okwany (2012). Education Policy and Practice in Africa:The Quality Imperative. Global Campaign for Education Netherlands Chapter: Utrecht.
- L.A. Okwany (2011). Indigenous Curriculum Perpspectives: African Voices. The Conference on Curriculum in the Early Years - Shaping Strong Foundations For Young Children: University of Free State, Bloemfontein (2011, september 26 - 2011, september 30).
- L.A. Okwany (2008). Education, the State and Globalization in Africa: Cross examination of the Paradigm Shift in Education and Development. The 4th International Globalization, Diversity, and Education Conference in Spokane: Washington (2008, februari 28 - 2008, maart 1).
- L.A. Okwany (2008). Negotiating Tensions in Girlhood: Constrained and Situated Agency of Urban Poor girls in Kenya. The International conference: “Young People in Africa: From Marginalization to Citizenship: ISS, Den Haag (2008, november 21 - 2008, november 22).
- K.E. Cheney & L.A. Okwany (Eds.). (2017-2017) Childhood in Africa, 4 (1).
- L.A. Okwany (2016). Dislodging dominant ways of framing ECCE: A scholar-activist perspective. . Response to Inaugural Lecture of Professor Hasina B. Ebrahima (2016, augustus 18). Pretoria South Africa: UNISA
Board of Examiners
- Title
- Board of Examiners
- Year
- 2020
General Information
- Title
- General Information
- Year
- 2020
4218 Children and Youth Studies
- Title
- 4218 Children and Youth Studies
- Year
- 2020
4311 Children, Youth and Development
- Title
- 4311 Children, Youth and Development
- Year
- 2020
3105 Research Paper Preparation
- Title
- 3105 Research Paper Preparation
- Year
- 2020
5401 Research Paper
- Title
- 5401 Research Paper
- Year
- 2020
Major SPD
- Title
- Major SPD
- Year
- 2020
Assistant Professor
- University
- Erasmus University Rotterdam
- School
- International Institute of Social Studies (ISS)
- Department
- Academic staff unit
- Telephone
- 0704260578