Gender Bridges Beyond Borders: NGEC Spurs Regional Progress in Equality

A pivotal partnership between Kenya’s NGEC and Somaliland marks a new chapter in regional cooperation for inclusive development and gender equality.

In a milestone moment for East African regional cooperation, the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) of Kenya played host to a high-level delegation from Somaliland, marking a significant stride toward cross-border dialogue on gender mainstreaming and inclusive policy reform.

Held at the Commission’s Nairobi offices, the delegation’s mission was anything but symbolic. It signalled the growing influence of Kenya in shaping inclusive governance and equality frameworks within the Horn of Africa region. The Somaliland team, after extensive consultations and engagement with NGEC’s technical experts, adopted key proposals rooted in Kenya’s best practices on gender equality and non-discrimination.

These were formally presented to the World Bank during a regional consultative meeting in Nairobi, reflecting a shared commitment to the transformation of policy into tangible social justice.

“This visit is a testament to the power of partnership and peer learning in promoting the principles of equality and inclusion,” remarked Paul Kuria, Director of Programmes and Research at NGEC, while addressing the visiting delegation.

During the visit, the Somaliland team engaged with NGEC’s leadership, research, and legal advisors to dissect the intricate web of national laws that anchor gender parity in Kenya—ranging from the Sexual Offences Act and the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act to the Persons with Disabilities Act and the Children’s Act. The discussions highlighted the power of cross-sectoral policy alignment, backed by rigorous compliance monitoring and citizen participation.

The delegation expressed keen interest in NGEC’s role in coordinating public education programmes, facilitating legal redress for rights violations, and compiling gender-disaggregated data that informs national planning and reporting. The replicability of NGEC’s inclusive approach appears promising, particularly as Somaliland seeks to strengthen its governance frameworks while striving for international recognition.

Delegates from Somali land