The mood at Nairobi’s Mövenpick Hotel on Friday was celebratory as Nation Media Group (NMG) held its fifth International Women’s Day forum. But beneath the colour and excitement, the message throughout the day was more urgent than festive: women need more than just applause.
They need actual access to health information, boardrooms, capital, mentorship, and systems designed with them in mind.
This year’s event marked five years since NMG began hosting these forums. The organisation noted that the platform has grown into a significant space for women’s voices and leadership in the region.
Held under the theme Give to Gain , the gathering brought together women from governance, finance, entrepreneurship, health, banking, and auditing to discuss what it takes for women to thrive across different sectors.
The day’s programme opened with a masterclass on women’s health, fertility, and weight loss, before moving into a session on boardroom readiness. Later, the focus shifted to wealth creation and economic empowerment.
Opening the health masterclass, host Winnie Lubembe described this edition as "very special," marking five years of "empowering women together." She linked the forum to the broader global call for rights, justice, and action for women and girls.
Participants during the International Women's Day event hosted by Nation Media Group at Movenpick Hotel in Nairobi on March 6, 2026.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation
The morning session addressed issues many women often deal with in private, including fertility timelines, body image, hormones, and nutrition. The discussions highlighted the idea that empowerment starts with having the right information.
In the afternoon, NTV’s Zeynab Ismael moderated a panel titled Give Access to Gain Equity . Speakers from healthcare, retail, and insurance sectors argued that access should be viewed broadly, not just as getting a job, but as having pathways to financial security and leadership.
Dr Rizwana Peerbhoy, General Manager of Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital, spoke on the community impact of such access. “When you give a woman access, it is not just about one person. It transforms the entire community ecosystem,” she said.
Quickmart Chief Marketing Officer, Betty Wamaitha, highlighted the economic side of the conversation. She noted that women are central to production, pointing out that over 70 per cent of the 14,500 farmers who supply the retailer directly are women.
Nation Media Group Head of Broadcasting Simaloi Dajom speaks during the International Women's Day Gala dinner hosted by Nation Media Group at Movenpick Hotel in Nairobi on March 6, 2026.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation
Reflecting on the five-year milestone, Nation Media Group's Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Odundo said the forum began as an "intentional gathering" and has since become a core part of the group's mission. His remarks were delivered on his behalf by NMG Chief Corporate Affairs, Marketing and Partnerships Officer Monica Ndungú.
“We did not just want to mark a date. We wanted to build a partnership with women that lasts,” he said.
While acknowledging the progress made, the CEO noted that women remain underrepresented in political and economic leadership, but added that a visible shift is emerging in how women are approaching these gaps.
“You are not just waiting for a seat at the table. You are building your own tables,” the CEO’s statement noted.
The evening discussions turned to finance and technology, with Judy Waruiru, Regional Managing Director of Network International, East Africa, challenging both industries to do more on inclusion.
The Give to Gain theme was framed as a practical strategy: give women access to knowledge and they make informed choices; give them leadership roles and institutions change; give them financial tools and families become more resilient.
By the end of the day, speakers and attendees alike agreed that women's advancement cannot be left to goodwill alone. It must be practical, connected and sustained. And gatherings like this one, they said, matter most not for marking a date, but for what women can do once access is no longer withheld.
