Women Lawmakers Urged To Lead Push For Land Rights And Climate Resilience
IGAD head of mission to Kenya Dr Fatuma Adan.
Female legislators have been urged to intensify their efforts in advocating for women’s land rights and promoting climate resilience across the region.
Nominated MP Hon. Irene Mayaka said women leaders are uniquely positioned to drive the land equality agenda as the issue directly affects them and the majority of their constituents.
“Women Parliamentarians serve as powerful agents of change in directing legislative priorities towards gender justice,” said Hon. Mayaka.
She made the remarks while representing National Assembly Deputy Speaker Hon. Gladys Boss at the Regional Dialogue on Gender, Land, and Climate Resilience, convened by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
“As representatives of the people, we bear a constitutional and moral obligation to ensure that no one is left behind. Our collective voice and persistent advocacy are key to overcoming resistance and achieving substantive gender equality in law and practice,” she added.
The high-level dialogue brought together women lawmakers, policymakers, technical experts, and development partners from IGAD Member States to examine the intersection between gender equality, land governance, and climate adaptation.
IGAD Head of Mission to Kenya, Dr. Fatuma Adan, said the forum marked the culmination of six national-level dialogues held in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda.
“These dialogues aimed to strengthen the capacity of women parliamentarians to effectively champion gender issues within their legislative and oversight roles, particularly in the context of land governance and climate resilience,” said Dr. Adan.
She further added: “Through these engagements, participants identified priority policy issues, highlighted persistent challenges, and proposed actionable points.”
The national dialogues brought together women MPs serving on key parliamentary committees on land, natural resources, agriculture, and climate change, alongside representatives from national land institutions and Women Parliamentarians’ Associations.
The meeting also served as a platform for stakeholders to share experiences, assess progress, and chart a common path for advancing gender-responsive land and climate policies across the region.
Women Parliamentarians from across the region made presentations on behalf of their member States. Kenya was represented by Hon. Dr. Lilian Gogo (Rangwe).
She praised the role of women legislators in expanding the legislative agenda to include the needs of women and marginalized communities.
“Female Parliamentarians in Kenya have been instrumental in broadening the legislative agenda, especially on issues affecting women and other vulnerable groups,” said Hon. Gogo.
However, she noted that more still needs to be done and called for stronger partnerships between women leaders within and outside Parliament, including civil society organizations.
“The partnership will be crucial in providing expertise, advocacy, and public support, increasing the legitimacy and impact of gender justice initiatives,” she stated.
“Women caucuses and technical units for gender mainstreaming have proven effective in supporting women MPs and advancing gender-sensitive legislation,” she added.
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