Leading Change: Call for Empowering Women and Reshaping Leadership Roles

In a stirring address at the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) Programme, Dr. Purity Ngina, CEO of the National Gender and Equality Commission, delivered a powerful message of transformation, inclusion, and empowerment. Speaking before a captivated audience, Dr. Ngina outlined the pressing need for intentional representation of women in leadership roles, asserting that progress for women must be a deliberate, not incidental, effort.

Dr. Ngina urged attendees to dismantle the barriers preventing women, particularly young mothers, from advancing in their careers. “It’s time to break down the systems that hold women back from leadership positions. We must create spaces that are designed for their success,” she stated.

With a focus on inclusive workplace policies, Dr. Ngina stressed the importance of structures that not only recognise women’s potential but actively support it through flexible work arrangements, mentorship opportunities, and a workplace culture that values gender equity. Referencing the Affirmative Action and Gender Principles Act (AGPA) as a crucial tool in advancing gender equality, she called on women to take an active role in demanding and embodying the change they wish to see. “True leadership is not only about compliance with the law but about leading with integrity, ethics, and purpose,” Dr. Ngina asserted.

The CEO also highlighted the importance of mentorship in bridging the leadership gap. “We grow when we lift others. Mentorship is vital in sustaining progress across generations and ensuring that women rise to lead in every space,” she stated.

Dr. Ngina’s remarks served as a call to action for women to not only aspire for leadership but to actively shape the future of workplaces, ensuring that they are inclusive, supportive, and equitable for all.

Dr Purity Ngina, Commission Secretary/CEO, poses for a group photo with delegates during the KISM Programme.