The President said empowering women is more than a matter of rights but was the right thing to do to achieve progress/PSCU
The President said empowering women is more than a matter of rights but was the right thing to do to achieve progress.
He spoke when he co-chaired the Global Leaders Meeting on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment at the United Nations on Sunday.
“I’m convinced that our nations and the world stand to gain tremendously if we continue to embrace that progress for women is progress for us all. Investing in women is more than a matter of rights; It is the right thing to do,” said the President when he addressed the opening session of the meeting.
The President said Kenya is committed to promoting women’s full participation in all levels of decision making in political, economic and public life.
He said Kenya’s robust Constitution has provided guiding lights to improve the status of women in the country and the Government will continue enacting women friendly policies.
“My Government commits to the implementation and enforcement of these policies and legislation for the realisation of our ultimate goal of gender equality,” said the President, who was the the second head of state to speak after Chinese President Xi Jinxing.
The President said the government will enhance resources to boost gender equality and strengthen gender responsive mechanisms.
“To ensure the economic empowerment of women, my Government will continue to refine the public procurement policy in order to ensure increased access for women to procurement opportunities,” said the President.
He said the government will progressively address women’s access to decent work and will also address the gender wage gap.
The President said Kenya is equally committed to end all forms of violence against women and harmful practices including Female Genital Mutilation and child marriages.
He expressed his commitment to champion equal access to education for boys and girls.
“My government will strengthen programmes aimed at encouraging and mentoring youth, especially women, to pursue careers in Sciences, Technology, ICT, Engineering and Mathematics.
During the conference heads of state and governments spoke on what they are doing to meet gaps their countries are facing in enabling gender equality.
The leaders also spoke on how they will prioritise women and girls and made strong commitments in supporting gender organisations.
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