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Kenya has made significant strides in gender equality over the years, yet women continue to face numerous challenges.

Despite being half of the population, they often face discrimination, particularly in rural areas where they are most vulnerable.

Women are significant contributors to the rural economy as wage earners, farmers and entrepreneurs. Those from indigenous communities are considered the keepers of traditional knowledge.

Yet, they are restrained from pursuing economic activities due to social norms. Empowering women at the grassroots level means providing them with the necessary resources, tools and knowledge to take control of their lives and make informed decisions.

It involves breaking down the barriers that prevent women from accessing education, healthcare and economic opportunities.

Based on the 2023 Women, Business and the Law dataset, Kenya’s score has shown a consistent increase over the years. This positive trend can be attributed to the implementation of various legislative measures. Notably, the enactment of laws addressing domestic violence, the prohibition of gender discrimination in employment and the establishment of equal remuneration for work of equal value have significantly contributed to this improvement.

Kenya has achieved sustained economic growth, social development and political stability through significant reforms in recent decades. Gender equality is still a major development challenge.

When women have equal opportunities as men, they join and stay in the workforce, boosting economies and promoting development. Gender equality is linked to improved development outcomes, like reduced vulnerable employment and extreme poverty for women.

When women are empowered, they can actively participate in their communities and contribute to social and economic development. There are various social barriers for women, which makes it important to educate people on the need for women’s empowerment.

Kenya’s development needs women’s participation, which can solely be achieved by uplifting them. Women’s contribution to Kenya’s GDP is 20 per cent compared to the global average of 37 per cent.
Structural and societal restrictions, including gender stereotypes, unequal access to finance and a lack of family support, are the key reasons for women’s lesser participation in economic and community affairs.

A key part of women’s empowerment is through economic independence and education. This includes the freedom to manage their schedules, finances and the ability to equally participate in development. When women earn income, they are more likely to invest in their families’ well-being, including education and healthcare.

Education plays a major role in the overall empowerment of women. Educated women are more likely to send their children to school, which can break the cycle of poverty and improve the prospects of future generations. They are also better equipped to advocate for their children’s education and to ensure their children receive a quality education.

When women are educated, they are better able to participate in decision making processes, including those related to education policy and programming.

Education is not just directly proportional to the health of women but also their children’s life outcomes. They are also better informed about preventive measures, such as immunization and prenatal care.
Women’s political empowerment can lead to increased participation in decision-making processes and policies that affect their lives and the lives of their communities. This can lead to more inclusive and equitable policies that benefit everyone.

Kenya has acknowledged that empowering women at the grassroots will be central to our efforts to achieving SDGs. For Kenya to take a step forward in achieving gender parity and create a positive impact on the health, education and livelihood of communities, it will need to address patriarchal and patrilineal traditions that are ingrained in our society and simultaneously create an inclusive environment for every woman to learn, grow and progress.

\Kenya has achieved significant accomplishments in a variety of areas. However, much more ground has to be covered.

— The writer is a journalist and freelance writer based in Brampton, Canada