Kenya
has made significant progress in promoting gender equality in politics, but the
journey toward true empowerment is far from complete. While the constitutional
one-third gender rule was a milestone for representation, it has largely become
a box-ticking exercise rather than a platform for genuine impact. Women leaders
must move beyond the comfort of numbers to deliver tangible results that uplift
other women and shape national policy.
Today,
women hold crucial positions in Parliament, county governments and various
state corporations. Yet, few have used these roles to champion substantive
change. Many of the current positions risk being reduced to ceremonial or
symbolic posts, often described by critics as “flower girl roles” where
visibility outweighs influence. This must change if Kenya is to realise the full
potential of women’s leadership.
Real leadership goes beyond occupying a seat; it demands accountability and measurable performance. Women leaders, just like their male counterparts, should be assigned clear Key Performance Indicators linked to women’s empowerment, social justice and economic inclusion.
For instance, how many
girls have stayed in school because of policies initiated by women
representatives? How many women-owned businesses have benefited from government
procurement programmes? These are the metrics that should define the success of
women in leadership.
One pressing area that demands female advocacy is menstrual health. Despite the government’s promise to provide free sanitary towels to schoolgirls, access remains inconsistent. The cost of sanitary products continues to strain low-income households, forcing many girls to miss school or resort to unsafe alternatives.
Female legislators should lead the charge in pushing for tax
exemptions on sanitary products and ensuring consistent funding for menstrual
hygiene programmes. Dignity for women starts with addressing such fundamental
issues.
The culture of corporate social responsibility among leaders needs rethinking. Too often, CSR has been reduced to photo opportunities and headline-chasing charity events. Real impact comes from sustainable initiatives that include follow-up mechanisms, measurable outcomes and partnerships with NGOs or community groups.
For example, instead
of donating food parcels once a year, leaders could support vocational training
programmes or microfinance projects for women entrepreneurs, ensuring long-term
empowerment. Such initiatives not only promote menstrual
health and hygiene but also create sustainable livelihoods and economic
independence for women.
Kenya is full of talented and capable women whose voices can reshape national priorities. But for this potential to be realised, leadership must evolve from symbolic participation to purposeful action.
The next generation of women
leaders must redefine what representation means, shifting from being present to
being powerful; from being seen to being heard; and from occupying space to
transforming it.
It’s
time for Kenya to move beyond the one-third rule and measure success not by
numbers, but by the positive change women leaders bring to society. True gender
equality will be achieved not when women fill positions, but when they use
those positions to transform lives.
Communications and PR specialist. [email protected]
