From Joseph Silali, Nairobi
The Kibera Gender Advocacy Network, in partnership with March for the Planet, held a special program in Kibra Canan, Nairobi, Kenya, on Friday to mark International Women’s Day 2026.
The event highlighted the theme of gender and leadership, emphasizing the critical role women play in shaping societies, economies, and governance structures.
Speaking at the event, Cyprian Omoding, Chairperson of the Kibera Gender Advocacy Network and representative of the Centre for Innovative Community Advocacy and Deployment (CICAD-Kenya), stressed the need for increased representation of women in decision-making roles across politics, business, and community leadership.
“This year’s theme underscores the importance of advocating for equal opportunities for women in leadership roles. We must address systemic challenges such as gender bias, stereotypes, and unequal access to resources that hinder women’s growth in leadership,” Omoding said.
She further called for the promotion of legal and institutional frameworks that support women’s leadership, including mentorship programs and gender-sensitive policies.
The program also showcased the positive influence of women in leadership, from grassroots activism to global policymaking, and how they are driving progress in education, healthcare, and economic development.
Zeda Kassim of Shining Hope for Communities and Vivian Okumu from the Slum Peace and Empowerment Center also spoke at the event, emphasizing that empowering women in leadership benefits entire societies.
“Empowering women leads to more inclusive, sustainable, and effective decision-making. Our celebration in Kibra aims to align global perspectives with local experiences, addressing the unique challenges faced by women in our community and celebrating their achievements,” Kassim said.
Okumu highlighted that breaking barriers for women in leadership requires dismantling gender stereotypes and promoting access to education and economic opportunities.
The event concluded with a call to action for local and national stakeholders to create more opportunities for women in leadership, ensuring that the progress made translates into lasting change in Kibra and beyond.
