Waiguru urges aspiring women leaders to fight for their space
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has asked aspiring women leaders to fight for their space and not shy away from dreaming to achieve their leadership goals.
She said that women must believe that they have what it takes to bring tangible change in areas that affect them since they understand better their unique interests and those of girls.
Ms Waiguru, who was addressing participants during the Women Leadership Academy forum at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi on Wednesday, said that the subject of gender equality can no longer be a footnote, and that all women must commit to be significant contributors towards a more equitable and inclusive Kenya.
She noted that it will not be easy for women because they will have to deal with a lot of negative publicity by political opponents who still hold on to the notion that a woman should not rise too fast in leadership, but still they must soldier on.
“As those before them, upcoming women leaders will have to deal with a lot of falsehoods peddled about them with the aim of diverting their attention to mundane issues and discredit them as capable leaders. Those are hurdles that we will together jump until we win the race,” said the Kirinyaga governor.
More needs to be done
She said that even though there has been quite some progress towards achieving gender parity, much more still needs to be done to have more women elected into political offices. She noted that as it is currently, a woman still has to put in much more effort than her male counterparts in convincing the electorate to elect her.
She said that the forum, which was organised by the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Kenya) among other partners, was very timely since it has come at a time when the country is preparing for the 2022 General Election.
She advised women to come together to support each other up the political leadership ladder, adding that she has been at the forefront in fighting for inclusion of women at all levels of decision making because she believes that a society cannot leave behind more than half of its population and attain an equitable socio-economic and political development.
She noted that in the present society, women are still judged by their gender more than the leadership or governance skills that they possess or have demonstrated.
“I was elected in a highly contested gubernatorial election, becoming one of the only three women to have ever been elected as governors in Kenya. Later I was elected as the Vice Chair of Council of Governors, also becoming the first woman to ever hold the position. The two positions were not easily achieved as I had to work twice as hard as a man would be required to work to get there,” Ms Waiguru told the participants.
Mentor aspiring women leaders
She pledged to use all available opportunities to encourage and mentor aspiring women leaders with the hope that come the next general election, Kenya will attain higher women representation in various positions than before.
She also noted that the media play an important role in shaping the women leadership narrative and must help in dismantling the deep-rooted attitudes that only men can occupy certain positions.
“Besides giving women a platform to express themselves and sell their visions with the electorate, the media is called upon to observe fair reporting and avoid judging women on a higher pedestal than men,” the governor noted. BY DAILY NATION
Post a Comment