Kirinyaga Women Rep Ngirici on Kenyas journey to gender equality

Kirinyaga Women Representative Wangui Ngirici has exuded confidence that the country will attain the 50-50 gender balance by 2030 as advocated for by the United Nations.

In her speech at the 63^rd session of the Commission on the Status of Women outlined the steps that Kenya has taken to advance gender equality and women empowerment.

“Kenya’s measures on strengthening the normative, legal and policy framework for gender responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda therefore are founded on our Constitution which contains a comprehensive Bill of Rights that guarantees all Kenyans their economic, social, and cultural rights,” said Ngirici

“The Constitution is explicit in obligating the State to provide appropriate social security to persons who are unable to support themselves and their dependents. This right is closely linked to other social protection rights, including the right to healthcare, human dignity, reasonable working conditions, and access to justice.”

According to the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) chair, the government had boosted investments for financing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls as guided by Kenya Vision 2030 and the 5 year medium term plans.

“In the current third Medium Term Plan (2018-2022), major projects emphasize promotion of gender equality in the following programmes; Women Enterprise Fund, UWEZO Fund, National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO), Prevention and Response to Gender Based Violence, Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Gender Mainstreaming and Sanitary Towels Program,” she said.

“The Government has also unveiled the Big Four Agenda which among other things focuses on large scale commercial farming, 100% cost subsidy on essential health services, provision of affordable housing and boosting manufacturing activities from 9.2% to 20% of gross domestic product (GDP).”

Ngirici remarked that measures had been taken to enhance national arrangements, including the authority, capacity and funding of national mechanisms for the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.

“Kenya re-affirms its commitment to the attainment of gender equality and empowerment of women and girls and will accelerate efforts by using the opportunities and lessons learnt to attain this goal.  Inclusive and strategic partnerships nationally, regionally and globally will be enhanced to ensure meaningful results for the interventions in place.”

The Kirinyaga Women Rep. is leading a delegation of parliamentarian to the annual women meeting in her capacity as KEWOPA chair.

Others in the delegation include Gender Affairs CS Margaret Kobia, Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, Labour CS Ukur Yattani, Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja, Gender PS Safina Kwekwe, Gender CAS Rachel Shebesh, Kenya’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Koki Muli Grignon, among others.

The Planet 50-50: Step It Up campaign, seeks to ensure governments across the world put in pace measures and policies that will allow for the full realisation of gender equality by the year 2030.