On the 8th of March, the Technical University of Mombasa partnered with the Kenya School of Government, ReInvent, and other organizations to celebrate International Women's Day. The event was held at the KSG Mombasa Campus, and the theme was ‘Fostering Inclusive Leadership For Gender Equality in Kenya - Celebrating The Gains Made & Re-Dedicating to The Goals of Gender Equality in Kenya'. The Vice-Chancellor of the Technical University of Mombasa, Prof. Laila Abubakar, was notably the Chief Guest of this momentous occasion and was joined by the Chair of TUM Gender Mainstreaming Committee, Ms. Gertrude Kisang, along with other committee members. Additionally, students from TUM, Kenyatta University and Kenya School of Government (from various KSG campuses) were also present.
The event featured notable guests and speakers, including Dr Rukia Atikiya, Ag. Director, KSG Mombasa Campus, Ms. Lynette Otwori, Ag. Director, KSG Margaret Kenyatta Institute for Gender and Social Development, Prof. Nura Mohamed, EBS KSG Director, Finance and Administration, Ms. Millicent Odhiambo, Sauti Ya Wanawake Pwani, Ms. Celina M. Kithinji, GBV Focal Person and Coordinator, Mombasa County, Ms. Ruth Muigai, KSG Mombasa Campus, and Mr Charles Alii, Regional Technical Lead, Coast REINVENT Programme.
Throughout the event, several presentations and panel discussions were held, during which guest speakers addressed important topics such as Women in Leadership, Gender-Based Violence, the Relationship between Legal Provisions and Gender Reality, Gender Equality and Inclusivity, Female Genital Mutilation, Advocacy and Policy Change, Overcoming Systematic Barriers, Underage Pregnancies, Innovation, Financial Literacy, Grassroot Mentorship Programs, and Providing Women with the Space and Voice to Prosper and Thrive.
During her keynote speech, Professor Laila discussed the progress that has been made towards gender equality in all areas of development. In the past, there were no female Vice Chancellors in Kenya, but now there are four. More and more women are also taking up administrative positions at the deanship and department levels in Kenyan universities, and there has been an increase in the number of women in all elective positions from MCA to the gubernatorial level. However, achieving the two-thirds gender rule set out in the constitution remains a challenge, despite ongoing discussions in political leadership circles.
Professor Laila urged the audience to intensify strategies and campaigns for gender equality at all levels of society. Any progress on gender equality or lack of it strongly impacts the other sustainable goals. Gender inequality accentuates poverty, and achieving gender equality will aid in poverty eradication. Empowering women with education and resources will help achieve sustainable health goals. Granting women equal voice and representation will help address the challenges of climate change, energy, peace, and security. Some of the key measures that need to be taken include mentorship and training for women leaders, integration of leadership skills in the school and college curriculums, and interventions that need to be sustained in school enrollment. Prof. Laila also emphasized enriching courses with essential life skills to produce young adults who have esteem, confidence, and focus in addition to technical skills.
The Vice-Chancellor further spoke on the detrimental cultural practices that put the boy child at the forefront while leaving the girl child lagging. Parents also play a big role in shaping their girls and the kind of esteem and confidence they grow up with. A woman's mental resilience makes her flexible, capable, and sensible, and she should not be underestimated whether in the educational aspect such as studying engineering courses, or financial aspects such as running her own business, or even home aspect where she can manage several things in her life at once.
TUM remains at the forefront of promoting gender parity when it comes to enrollment. This is one of the reasons why the University conducts school outreach with girls' schools as a major, though not exclusive, target. Over the last few years, TUM has made dramatic progress towards narrowing the gender disparity. Additionally, TUM advocates for, and supports, the initiatives of enrolling more and more female students in STEM courses. These efforts have also brought considerable gains in the last five years where more women and girls take up science, technology, and engineering courses.
Prof. Laila also stated that TUM remains open to collaborations on any programs that seek to promote gender equality at different levels. The University will also sustain its internal mechanisms for affirmative action from the training level to the administrative level.
The Kenya School of Government-Mombasa campus warmly hosted the guests with great hospitality and provided a platform for the strong, inspirational women present, to network, converse, and plan for future, powerful engagements and collaborations.
