By Yviona Musa

On International Women’s Day 2023, a transformational virtual webinar on various issues on women was held. The webinar, hosted by Ms. Salome Asena, a Senior Research Officer at the School of Graduate Studies, Research and Extension, shed light on key areas that need concentrated attention. Gracing this occasion were highly respected women who have been pacesetters and change evokers in their respective professional fields. The discussion kicked off with a question-and-answer session.

Ms. Munoko Karen Musikoyo, an Agribusiness and Gender Expert at FARA who has been a voice on matters of climate change spearheads the conversation on gender equity, with an emphasis on the various challenges faced in her field of work. These include the problem of seeing that women’s roles are scarce at the level of leadership and decision-making. Another challenge discussed is the lack of balance in the distribution of resources with men being the main beneficiaries of such as well as the lack of inclusion for women in various sectors.

Another important issue discussed was that of Gender-based violence. Ms. Rachael Njeri Ngumi, the Principal Officer, Gender Equity and Social Protection at USIU-Africa and an advocate of the High Court who represents victims of Gender Based Violence, spoke on the existence of gender-based violence on the digital platform. She emphasized on the importance of sensitization of the masses to its existence and providing a community engaging in its prevention and response mechanisms. Rachael highlighted the importance of women’s protection against cyber harassment.

Later they were joined by Ms. Immaculate Lucy, the acting Assistant Director of Gender and Social Services in the County Government of Nyandarua. She dived into the conversation on gender budgeting approaches and the implications of technology on the same. Ms. Munoko spoke on the issue of the distribution of innovation and technology and how it can be better suited to fit women and be easily adaptable to their needs. Ms. Immaculate Lucy spoke on the accessibility of youth funds and her desire to ensure ease of access to the same. She expressed the importance of accountability and education for men who cause teenage pregnancies and the implications they should face. She also spoke of resource distribution and the fundamental guidelines on allocation. Finally, she spoke on the youth attitudes which negatively affect progress and the need to educate them on the importance of adjusting their view and embracing hard work and patience.

The Webinar was wrapped up with a vote of thanks from Ms. Jennifer Nyakinya, Program Manager – Network of Impact Evaluation Researchers in Africa after closing remarks from the women as they each expressed their views on the various aspects of the most important issues that need to be addressed.