Supreme Court's Justice Njoki Ndung'u condemns trivialising of female leaders on public platforms
Supreme Court Judge Lady Justice Njoki Ndung'u speaking during Judiciary Dialogue Day at the Mombasa Law Courts on January 31, 2025. She is calling for society to focus on women's intellect rather than appearance.
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- Supreme Court Judge Justice Njoki Ndung'u has condemned Kenya's tendency to trivialise women leaders on public platforms.
Supreme Court Judge Njoki Ndung'u has condemned the growing trend of trivialising women leaders on public podiums in the name of empowerment, saying Kenya must stop valuing women from the neck down instead of the neck up.
Justice Ndung'u said her journey from surviving domestic violence in a privileged Nairobi home to becoming a parliamentarian and champion of gender rights shows that barriers can be broken, but only if society stops undermining women's dignity.
"It's sad that, as women, people listen to us from the neck down instead of the neck up. We must be valued for our brain power," she said.
Speaking over the weekend at the inaugural Trickle & Harness Public Lecture Forum in Mombasa, themed 'Women in Leadership: Navigating the Crossroads of Politics, Power, and Patriarchy', Justice Ndung'u recalled entering Parliament when women were few but determined, driven by a shared goal to leave a legacy that would help other women.
Among the achievements she cited were the Sexual Offences Act, the introduction of maternity leave for women and paternity leave for men, and constitutional reforms that tackled child marriages, human trafficking, land rights, and citizenship laws.
She recounted how, despite stigma and resistance, she and a handful of women MPs worked with male legislators, including polygamous ones, to remove tax on sanitary pads, pass the Sexual Offences Act, and push through constitutional reforms that expanded women's rights.
"Sanitary towels are not perfumes or lipsticks; they are basic needs," she stressed.
Justice Ndung'u said these milestones were achieved by working in partnership with men, noting that women's leadership benefits society as a whole – including men – but warned that entrenched stereotypes and disrespect on public platforms threaten progress.
She urged men to also organise themselves and address their own challenges.
Drawing from her personal experience, she revealed that domestic violence had marred her childhood despite her family's privileged status.
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"They know no class. They affect all women. We have come a long way, but women are still not safe. I am satisfied I have done my part, but the journey continues," she said, adding that the trauma strengthened her resolve to keep women safe.
She called on women to document their contributions, network, speak out, and remain focused despite barriers, encouraging them to start each day with meditation, prayer, and quiet reflection.
"Your voices must be heard," she said.
Justice Ndung'u also urged Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir to assist in organising and advancing women's issues.
She acknowledged that constitutional changes have opened opportunities for women-owned businesses to access government procurement and that specialised courts now handle sexual and gender-based violence cases.
The Trickle & Harness forum, which brings together experts, thought leaders, and the public to inspire action on societal issues, was launched to foster informed and engaged communities.
