Recently at a forum held for female professionals across the country ahead of International Women’s Day, the moderator looks at me and my name tag and says, “Yes, Nelly. How is it working at your company? What’s your experience there?” I am caught off guard and the whole room gets very silent, so I say the first thing that comes to mind; “Culture. I think the culture at my workplace is consciously and unconsciously geared towards empowering women.” The moderator looks at me and asks, “Okay, how so?” I respond, “To be honest, I don’t think my boss remembers that I’m a lady in the course of my work. I am appraised solemnly based on my work and results produced therefore I can’t even use gender bias as a fallback or excuse for non-performance.” Everyone laughs then I add, “On a serious note, GA Insurance is very much balanced. Equal opportunities are accorded based on merit. In short, gender bias is not a thing in our work environment. The company has managed to build a culture where everyone is viewed and treated the same. We are all just human beings who are pushing the vision of the GA brand in the market. And GA takes care of its staff for sure,” a round of applause fills the room as I sit down.

As I look back on this moment, I would be naive not to recognize the clock moving backward for so many women across the country and the globe at large. Women are targets of abuse and violence just because of their gender. They are also scandalously underrepresented in houses of power and board rooms of business, yet they do the vast majority of the world’s unpaid but essential care.

Amid the pandemic, teenagers across the country got married off in their early teens. And as times got harder for everyone, thousands of women experienced gender-based violence. In the past, gender-based violence was the norm in Kenyan society. Men had the ‘right’ to enforce ‘good behavior’ unto women through beatings and flogging. But thanks to activism, changes in policies, regulations, women empowerment efforts, and accountability of men by the government, the situation has improved. However, we still have a long way to go. In a report published by the National Crime Research Centre, 71% of 2,416 cases reported over a 6-month period were perpetrated on women and girls which means ten females were violated each day for those 6 months. Thousands of women still go to bed in fear of their lives from the people who are supposed to protect them, including their husbands, fathers, boyfriends, and sons.

In 2020, Aljazeera published a story of a young Kenyan girl living in the slums of Dandora who said she wished she were a boy because of period poverty and that made my heart ache. I think the misconception that girls living in the cities and towns across the country are already empowered projects a very false reality According to a report by UNICEF, “More than 1.2 million primary school-age children in Kenya, which has a population of fifty million, do not attend school at all. Period poverty – being unable to work or attend school because of lack of funds for sanitary products – makes life even harder for girls.”

The mindset that women are ‘less than,’ is what allows for several injustices to take place. To add salt to injury, many women have come to believe this narrative and as a result, they do not make any effort to fight when they are subjected to inequalities. Usually, a woman will never demand for what she deserves but a man will give ultimatums in order to get what they think they deserve, and this is due to the kind of society we live in and the timidness that women have adapted as a result. Men are more likely to apply for jobs that they do not even qualify for because of the self-belief instilled in them as they grow up. Whereas women are taught to shrink, be good at house chores and look forward to marriage so, they tend to accept the crumbs thrown to them but is it time to take action. It is time to stand

It is time to stand against the injustices within our environment targeting women.

International Women’s Day

Every year on the 8th of March, International Women’s Day is celebrated across the globe. It is a day to recognize female achievement and a call to action encouraging everyone to stand out for women’s rights and gender equality. Gender inequality means, regardless of gender, everyone is granted the same rights, privileges, and access to opportunities to everyone else.

Why is the International Women’s Day important?

Throughout history, women have had to fight for everything they have. Not many years ago, people lived a different life than what you see today. My relative tells me a story of how she would come from school in the evening and her mum would hide all her books to force her to accept any of the several suitors that were representing themselves to ask for her hand in marriage. She managed to rebel for a while but that was more than 60 years ago. Now, she gives me all the support I need to become the best in today’s world. So, excuse the women who seem very angry and emotional as they fight for what rightfully belongs to them. In fact, many companies are starting to acknowledge the role of women’s personalities in the building of the companies across the globe. Having empathy is no longer considered a weakness but a strength and today, we celebrate the achievements made by women across the globe. I was surprised to find out that 70% of health workers across the globe are women. In the UN, women occupy 50% of senior management positions both in their headquarters and across the globe. Women can access affordable health care and safe delivery in Kenya. The government’s efforts in ending period poverty are to be applauded as well. Well done to everyone for working towards making gender equality a reality!

Additionally, it is a time to call to action, encouraging people to stand up for women’s rights.

Let’s Make A Pledge

Say this with me, “I pledge to always stand for women’s rights in my workplace, neighbourhood and any other place, including social places. I will always speak up against injustices targeted towards women. I will not join the crowd in victimizing and bullying women because of gender. I am different. I will #BreakTheBias and I will go BeyondTheNorm in ensuring my sisters are heard and protected.”

Let’s celebrate women and girls everywhere today. Give them a call or send them a text and appreciate them for being strong and for their ideas, innovations and strengths in a male dominated culture and world!

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY