Women, Change, And Power Conference Sparks Momentum For Gender Equality

By: Cynthia Masibo

A wave of advocacy for women’s rights swept through the walls of a hotel in Nairobi, as the Women, Change, and Power Conference brought together influential female leaders, activists, and policymakers from across the country.

The event, aimed at highlighting the critical role of women in leadership and the ongoing battle for gender equality, featured key speeches from leaders led by former minister Martha Karua and MP Millie Odhiambo, alongside a host of other prominent female activists.

In her opening remarks, Karua, a seasoned politician and one of Kenya’s most vocal advocates for women’s empowerment, delivered an impassioned speech on the need for women to rise and take their place in leadership positions across various sectors. She emphasized that the fight for equality was not just about representation but also about meaningful participation in decision-making processes.

“Women have for too long been relegated to the sidelines of leadership, yet we are the backbone of our communities. It is time to shatter the glass ceilings that hold us back and take our rightful place in governance,” said Karua. She further called for more deliberate efforts by both the government and the private sector to ensure that women are provided with opportunities to lead.

Karua’s speech was met with  applause, setting the tone for the rest of the conference. Her sentiments were echoed by Ms Odhiambo, a Member of Parliament renowned for her strong stance on gender issues.

The MP passionately called for the enforcement of Kenya’s constitutional provisions on gender balance, particularly the two-thirds gender rule, which has long been a contentious issue in the political arena.

“We cannot continue to pay lip service to women’s empowerment while sidelining them in crucial decision-making spaces. The time for change is now, and that change must begin with the implementation of the two-thirds gender rule,” Odhiambo declared. She further urged women across the country to stand firm in their quest for equality, encouraging grassroots movements to champion women’s rights in every corner of Kenya.

The conference, which drew participants from all over the country, also provided a platform for a number of female activists to share their stories and strategies for empowering women at various levels of society.

One of the standout moments of the event was a panel discussion featuring young female activists, who spoke about the challenges and opportunities facing women in modern Kenya. The panelists touched on key issues such as gender-based violence, access to education, and economic empowerment.

Esther Mwikali, a grassroots activist from Machakos County, highlighted the need for continued advocacy on gender-based violence, which remains a significant barrier to women’s advancement in many parts of Kenya.

“Violence against women is not just a women’s issue – it’s a societal problem that must be addressed with the urgency it deserves,” she stated.

As the day progressed, discussions expanded to include strategies for fostering women’s leadership in sectors traditionally dominated by men, such as politics, business, and technology. The event concluded with a call to action, urging participants to return to their communities and continue the fight for gender equality, armed with the knowledge and inspiration gained at the conference.

The Women, Change, and Power Conference underscored the fact that while much progress has been made, the journey towards gender equality is far from over.

Similar Posts by The Mt Kenya Times:

• Mt Kenya Times ePAPER August 28, 2026
• Kenya is losing fifteen mothers a day — and the numbers are getting worse
• Consolata International University opens new academic year with call to humanise artificial intelligence
• Written in gold, wielded in iron: Katiba@16 and the realities of power
• Mang’eni challenges universities to put entrepreneurship at the heart of learning

About the Author

Cynthia Masibo

View All Posts