Kenyatta University WEE Hub - 2nd International Conference on WEE - 24th July 2024

FIX THE SYSTEM OR FIX WOMEN?

KU WEE Hub’s 2^ND International Conference on Women’s Economic Empowerment

By Emilly Owiti, July 24, 2024.

Fix the system or fix women? This question begs answers that only research data may provide and was among many intriguing questions posed by participants during the official opening of Kenyatta University Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Hub’s International Conference on WEE by the Principal Secretary Gender and Affirmative Action Anne Wangómbe at the University’s Conference Centre in Nairobi.

The KU WEE Hub’s 2^nd Annual Conference on Women’s Economic Empowerment will run for three days from July 24-July 26^th 2024. During the three days, 26 papers covering eight (8) thematic areas below will be presented;

1. Education and Skill Development for WEE
2. Entrepreneurship and Business Development for WEE
3. Health, Well-being and Women’s Economic Empowerment
4. Role of Technology and Innovation to WEE
5. Legal and Policy Advocacy for WEE
6. Language, Culture and Social Norms Effects on WEE
7. Environment, Climate Change, Sustainable Development and WEE
8. Carework and its Effects on WEE

The three-day conference draws participants from local and international universities, research organizations, development partners working with the Hub to implement the 14 projects covering three (3) thematic areas of the KU WEE Hub’s Program. Among the institutions represented were University of New England, University of Nairobi, Mwea University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kiriri Women’s University, University of Washington Seattle, Centre for Reproductive Health, Society of Gender Professionals, Africa’s Voices Foundation. The conference features sessions blended with presentations of research findings, poster presentations and panel discussions to provoke researchers’ thoughts and to engage in discourse towards the full realization of women’s economic empowerment.

During the opening of the conference PS Wangómbe reiterated the government’s efforts towards women’s economic empowerment and gender equality. Some of the strategies the government has put in place towards women’s economic empowerment include the development of key policies such as the National Policy on Women’s Economic Empowerment 2024 (NPWEE), National Care Policy 2024; including women in key decision –making and leadership positions, strengthening the capacity of County Gender teams and the implementation of anti-gender based violence (GBV) programs.

Conference key note speaker Dr. Jemimah Njuki, the Chief of Economic Empowerment at the UN Women New York made thought provoking observations such as the need to develop macro-economic policies and systems that work for women, where women have the power and capacity to influence decisions, mainstreaming and financing care infrastructure and engendering technology development and financing gender equality “the game-changer is building accountability for gender equality by developing a gender-marker to monitor progress” said Dr. Njuki.

The event was presided over by the KU Ag. Vice Chancellor Prof. Waceke Wanjohi and graced by KU leaders’ Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) Research, Innovation and Outreach Prof. Caroline Thoruwa, Ag. DVC Administration and Finance and Convener of the Conference Organizing Committee Prof. Nelson Wawire and hosted by KU WEE Hub Leader Prof. Judith Waudo. Other partners at the conference included Tharaka-Nithi County, Institute of Economic Affairs, Busara and KNBS collaborating with the Hub in its research. To enhance the sustainability of WEE program implementation and outcomes monitoring, academic and research institutions must continue to provide gender-disaggregated data.

KU and UoN WEE Hubs are funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to conduct women’s economic empowerment-related research.