The Commission’s Kisumu Regional Office joined civil society organisations and Human Rights Defenders in commemorating Pan-African Women’s Day under the theme “A Struggle for Women’s Sovereignty and Liberation.”
The forum reflected on the contribution of African women to resistance, justice, peacebuilding and nation-building, while highlighting the need to preserve their place in the continent’s history.
Participants recognised figures including Mekatilili wa Menza, Wangari Maathai and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, as well as Thomas Sankara’s contribution to women’s empowerment in Burkina Faso.
The discussions also examined continuing barriers to equality, including underrepresentation of women in leadership, non-implementation of the two-thirds gender principle, femicide, violence against women in politics and Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence.
The event concluded with a call for more women to seek leadership and for existing women leaders to demonstrate integrity, excellence and accountability.
