Gender Based Violence (GBV), Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), gender inequality, poverty and femicide have been cited as some of the major challenges facing women in Kenya today.
During the International Women’s Day celebrations held in Homa Bay on Saturday, speakers called for an end to these vices which were said to be slowing down the economic progression of women in the country.
The event, which was held at Tom Mboya University, brought together First Lady Rachel Ruto and Ida Odinga, the wife of former Prime Minister Raila, and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga.
Mrs Ruto led the launch of Beijing +30 Kenya country report, a document which highlights critical achievements, challenges and opportunities to accelerate realisation of gender equality and empowerment of women and girls over the last five years.
It is 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platforms for Action, a declaration made to reflect on successes, challenges and commitments to leading the way in accelerating women’s empowerment, inclusion, and rights.
The First Lady said President William Ruto’s government is committed to ending all vices faced by women.
She said the Kenya Kwanza administration has put in place measures to ensure Kenyan women grow economically.
“The Beijing declaration had set the pace for gender equality. So let us recognise the steps made by women in leadership, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment programmes,” she said.
Some of the programmes run by the government to empower women include issuance of loans through the Women Enterprise Fund.
“The government has also ensured that maternal health care is improved. Access to government opportunities has also been made easy for women,” she said.
The First Lady added that the government has cut imports for agricultural products and the funds diverted to empowerment programmes.
Mrs Ruto challenged women to compete for leadership opportunities to meet the two thirds gender rule.
“I must congratulate Wanga for making history by being elected the first female governor in Nyanza. We need to foster a journey towards gender equality,” she said.
UN Women Representative in the country Antonia Sodonon called for equal rights, powers and opportunity for all women.
She described youths particularly, young women and adolescent girls as catalysts for lasting change and called for their empowerment.
First Lady Rachel Ruto (second right) with Mrs Ida Odinga during the International Women’s Day celebrations at Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay Town on March 8, 2025.
Photo credit: George Odiwour | Nation Media Group
“The Kenyan government is already supporting gender equality and women empowerment agenda which is evident in several ways including government commitment in driving the two-thirds gender rule agenda, the national care policy, now with the cabinet for consideration national women economic empowerment policy the women's charter and recently the established task force to address gender-based violence,” Ms Sodonon said.
She however said despite a progressive constitution that promotes gender equality and women's empowerment in Kenya, gender inequality remains a key issue of concern adding that it is deeply rooted in negative social norms entrenched patriarchal values and gender stereotypes.
The UN women official said women continue to be excluded from leadership and decision-making spaces. She added that some are still vulnerable to sexual and gender based violence including femicide.
“They still suffer from female genital mutilation, child marriage and other harmful practices ladies. We need to embrace and commit to financing for gender equality,” Ms Sodonon said.
She also called for investment in women's rights saying it is the cornerstone of inclusive development.
“We must accelerate women and girls participation in new technology. If we are not doing that we are marginalizing a good portion of the community,” she said.
Mrs Odinga called on women who are already empowered to support those who have ambitions to rise to leadership positions.
During the meeting, Homa Bay was identified as one of the places where teenage girls are defiled and impregnated. The county leads in teenage pregnancies at 23 per cent according to the 2022 Kenya Demographic Health Survey.
“We need to help the girls from vices like early marriages. Let us join hands in supporting girls in pushing their education,” she said.
She was backed by Ms Wanga who said her administration has laid down measures to address issues affecting the economic growth of women.
“Despite progress made in helping women and girls, we still face a challenge of triple threat (new HIV infection, teenage pregnancy and gender based violence). The Beijing declaration has opened doors for women leadership and acceleration,” the governor said.
Ms Wanga said women still face challenges when trying to ascended to political leadership. According to the governor, women are mostly kicked out of political races during nomination.
She said the implementation of the Nadco report is expected to address the challenge by providing equal opportunity to women in leadership.
“Women must have money in their pockets. A vulnerable woman is likely to be subjected to gender based violence,” Ms Wanga said.
First Lady Rachel Ruto (left) speaks to Mrs Ida Odinga during the International Women’s Day celebrations at Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay Town on March 8, 2025.
Photo credit: George Odiwour | Nation Media Group
She said the society is yet to fully bridge the gap in gender equality and women’s empowerment three decades after the landmark Beijing Declaration for the Platform for Action.
Finland Ambassador to Kenya Pirkka Tapiola said the country has made significant strides in women empowerment and leadership.
“I commend the government for establishing a gender technical working group to look at ways of ending femicide. Let religious leader and elders take a front step in fighing FGM and other vices affecting women,” Mr Tapiola said.
Zana Africa Chief Executive Officer Megan Mukuria and the organsistions Executive Director Beatrice Jane called on the government to incorporate gender issues in the education system. This is meant to address the triple threat.
“Lack of sanitary towels affects the girl’s concentration in class. We are providing sanitary towels which have a toll free number that girls can call to get help on gender issues,” she said.
Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara and his Homa Bay Town counterpart Peter Kaluma said there is need to support women to ascend to elective positions.
Homa Bay Woman Representative Joyce Osogo called on the government to increase fund allocation to women reps.
