This archive report was first published on 3 December 2019.
December 3, 2019, marked a significant moment in Kenya's journey towards gender equality. The Nairobi Hospital's announcement of an all-male board of directors sparked widespread outrage, with many questioning the management's decision-making process.
Author Njeri Rugene expressed her astonishment at the audacity of the move, stating, 'However much one may try, it will be difficult to wish away the women of Kenya. And with it the importance — nay, reality — for a gender-equal society that must respect its own diversity.'
As the controversy surrounding the board's appointment gained momentum, a petition titled 'Say No to Male Chauvinism At the Nairobi Hospital' emerged, denouncing the failure to include women in the decision-making process. The petitioners called for the addition of capable women to the board, emphasizing the importance of representation in the 21st century.
Kenyan women are increasingly demanding equal representation in institutions, citing the Nairobi Hospital's all-male board as a prime example of the need for gender equality. The government's commitment to empowering women and girls, as outlined in the International Conference on Population Development (ICPD+25) in Nairobi last month, serves as a reminder of the country's obligations towards promoting diversity and gender equality.
The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report has been hailed as a significant step towards promoting women's rights in Kenya. Women leaders from various sectors have come together to defend and protect the rights of women, girls, children, and other marginalized groups enshrined in the Constitution.
