Gender commission pushes for bold reforms on International Women’s Day

The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has called for reforms amid challenges faced by women and girls in the quest for gender equality.

In a statement issued on International Women’s Day 2025, NGEC Chairperson Rehema Jaldesa pushed for immediate and priority interventions to ensure progress is made.

"As Kenya commemorates International Women’s Day 2025, the NGEC has laid out a series of initiatives aimed at addressing systemic barriers and promoting a more equitable society," she said.

Top on the list is the enforcement of the two-thirds gender principle, which involves implementing legislative reforms to ensure equitable representation of women in leadership and governance roles.

“Achieving gender parity in our political sphere is essential for true representation,” Jaldesa emphasized.

Reiterating the need to transition from conventional approaches to more impactful and sustainable strategies to empower women and girls, Jaldesa also proposed an investment on care economy by recognizing the significant burden of unpaid care work, even as she pushed for the finalization of the National Care Policy.

“We need to create a structure that values care work and supports those who perform it,” Jaldesa stated.

NGEC also demanded for the strengthening of the legal and institutional frameworks, in a bid to promote gender-responsive budgeting and accountability for the advancement of gender equality.

On eliminating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) including femicide and online abuse, the commission advocated for stricter laws and enhanced responses that prioritize the needs of survivors.

Other proposed interventions include: promoting women’s economic empowerment by increasing access to financial resources, challenging patriarchal norms through behavioral change initiatives to address entrenched social barriers; and addressing emerging global challenges that disproportionately affect women, including climate change, pandemics, and economic fluctuations.

The Commission noted that the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, laid a strong foundation for equality, and significant progress has been recorded in areas such as education, healthcare, and women's leadership.

However, systemic barriers remain. Women still face entrenched patriarchal structures and harmful cultural practices that hinder their progress.

Notably, the representation of women in the National Assembly is only 23%, with 31% in the Senate.

NGEC also drew attention to the growing rates of Gender-Based Violence, particularly in the digital space, highlighting 2024 as the worst year for femicide in Kenya, with reported cases rising to 168.

The disproportionate burden of unpaid care work - estimated at 4.7 hours per day for women compared to 1.7 hours for men - further limits women's opportunities for advancement.