Take up space and create a gender equal future

Renowned women’s and girls' rights activist Riko Nagu from the Solomon Islands, once said that in order to build an inclusive society and a resilient community, both genders should work together.

Unfortunately, the reality is different. Gender inequality is still widespread in all cultures globally, hence the issue of women's empowerment and gender equality still tops global agendas.

This year’s UN theme for International Women’s Day “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world” celebrates the efforts made by women and girls in shaping a more equal future amid recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is notable that Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include not only gender-specific actions and statistics, but also an entire goal dedicated to gender parity. The fifth SDG challenges the world to “Achieve Gender Equality and Empower All Women and Girls”. As former UN Secretary Kofi Annan famously said, “Promoting gender equality is not only women’s responsibility – it’s the responsibility of all of us.”

This is a goal I believe in and one that is particularly relevant to this year’s theme even as we are rallying for more equal rights, from wage inequalities to family leave policies.

I have to acknowledge the increase in awareness of the importance of gender equality and the efforts locally and globally; In Kenya, this has become embedded in a lot of company policies.

At Safaricom, we have embedded nine of the seventeen SDGs into our business in order to ensure that we leave no one behind. Through the integration of SDG 10 on Reduced Inequalities and SDG 8 on Decent work and economic growth, we continue to unite our pursuit of profit with our purpose of transforming lives, by creating opportunities for people to empower and uplift themselves.

We are working towards a future in which the society achieves self-actualisation through continuous education and participation in public life; a day in which girls and boys will seize the moment to the foundations of civil and political liberties down the generations.

I am keen to stress that this is not a women versus men issue. Gender equality can only succeed as a collaborative effort with all of us on board. In patriarchal societies, men are very influential given their economic, political, social power and resources. It takes enlightened men and brave women to change the world and change the statistics we see. With the support of the men, as allies, we can achieve Generation Equality much faster than if the effort is left to women only.

In Kenya, women bravely stood at the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, as health care workers, caregivers, innovators and community organizers and were some of the most exemplary and effective national leaders in combating the pandemic.

The crisis highlighted both the centrality of their contributions and the disproportionate burdens that women carry in the society.

I am glad that our efforts in society are being recognized. COVID-19 in particular played a significant role in highlighting perspectives of women in all of their diversity because during this period, there was significant integration in the formulation and implementation of policies and programs in all spheres and at all stages of pandemic response and recovery.

Dr. Loice Ombajo, a senior lecturer at the University of Nairobi and Head of Infectious Disease Unit at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) was one amongst 68 other Kenyans feted by His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta for their distinguished and outstanding service in helping the country steer through the pandemic.

International Women’s Day recognizes the achievements of women who are making a difference. Dr. Loice is a success story that speaks to this year’s theme, #ChooseToChallenge. From challenge comes change, and she has chosen to take up space and proven that gender does not define success.

She has been on the frontline of case management at KNH since Kenya reported the first COVID-19 case in March 2020; notably in clinical care, mentorship and training of clinicians around the country and responding to consults on patient care from all over the country; and has led the writing of the COVID- 19 National case management guidelines.

I salute all the innovators, caregivers and community organisers who have made sure Kenyans were, and still are safe. I believe your bravery and acts of selflessness during this period will instil a culture and shape a more equal future going forward because through you, the society is able to recognize that everyone, regardless of their gender, is capable of succeeding in any field.

I urge you to choose to challenge gender inequity and collectively strive for women’s representation in all spheres to forge gender parity and create a balanced world.

To everyone who chooses to challenge for the greater good, take up space and keep going beyond and breaking barriers. Choose to not only challenge yourselves, but everyone around you and together, let us transform lives.

 First published in The Standard on 8th March 2021