The National Gender and Equality Commission wants big changes to help women across Kenya. Their leader, Rehema Jaldesa, spoke up during International Women's Day 2025, asking everyone to act fast on gender issues. The NGEC listed several important steps needed right away to knock down barriers women face every day. They believe these changes cannot wait any longer if Kenya wants real progress toward equality.
The commission's top demand is that women hold at least one-third of leadership jobs. Current numbers show women represent just 23% of the National Assembly and 31% of the Senate, far below fair levels. Jaldesa believes equal representation matters because it brings different viewpoints to government decisions. The commission wants new laws passed immediately to fix this ongoing problem.
According to recent studies, women shoulder much heavier burdens at home. The average Kenyan woman spends 4.7 hours daily on unpaid care work compared to men, who spend only 1.7 hours. This makes it harder for women to advance their careers or start businesses. The NGEC pushes for a National Care Policy that would recognize this hidden work and create better support systems for caregivers.
Violence against women reached terrible heights last year, with 168 reported murder cases. The NGEC demands tougher laws against these crimes, plus better protection from online harassment. They want money set aside in government budgets specifically for women's programs. Economic freedom matters hugely - the commission asks for more loans and business chances directed toward female entrepreneurs.
Old-fashioned beliefs keep holding women back despite the strong equality rights in Kenya's 2010 Constitution. The NGEC wants educational campaigns to change how people think about gender roles from childhood onward. Climate change hits women especially hard since many depend on farming. The commission wants special attention paid to helping women handle weather disasters and economic problems that affect them most.
The commission's top demand is that women hold at least one-third of leadership jobs. Current numbers show women represent just 23% of the National Assembly and 31% of the Senate, far below fair levels. Jaldesa believes equal representation matters because it brings different viewpoints to government decisions. The commission wants new laws passed immediately to fix this ongoing problem.
According to recent studies, women shoulder much heavier burdens at home. The average Kenyan woman spends 4.7 hours daily on unpaid care work compared to men, who spend only 1.7 hours. This makes it harder for women to advance their careers or start businesses. The NGEC pushes for a National Care Policy that would recognize this hidden work and create better support systems for caregivers.
Violence against women reached terrible heights last year, with 168 reported murder cases. The NGEC demands tougher laws against these crimes, plus better protection from online harassment. They want money set aside in government budgets specifically for women's programs. Economic freedom matters hugely - the commission asks for more loans and business chances directed toward female entrepreneurs.
Old-fashioned beliefs keep holding women back despite the strong equality rights in Kenya's 2010 Constitution. The NGEC wants educational campaigns to change how people think about gender roles from childhood onward. Climate change hits women especially hard since many depend on farming. The commission wants special attention paid to helping women handle weather disasters and economic problems that affect them most.
