This archive report was first published on 17 May 2020.
May 17, 2020, marked a significant moment in the fight for workplace equality, as women continued to push for their rights in the Kenyan workforce.
One organization at the forefront of this movement is the USAWA Foundation in Kenya, which advocates for equality in the workplace for women.
Despite their efforts, women still face significant challenges, including unequal wages. Research has shown that mothers tend to be paid less than their male counterparts, even when their responsibilities are similar.
Employers often justify this disparity by speculating that women will leave the organization due to pregnancy. However, this reasoning is not only discriminatory but also ignores the value that women bring to the workplace.
Women are a vital human resource, and their skills and experience should be recognized and rewarded. Employers must move beyond biases and stereotypes, and instead focus on the qualifications and abilities of their employees.
Flexible working hours are another area where women face significant challenges. New mothers, in particular, often struggle to balance their work and family responsibilities. To address this issue, employers can provide supportive work environments, such as nursing rooms and flexible scheduling.
By recognizing the value of women in the workplace and providing fair compensation, inclusive job allocation, and supportive work environments, employers can help break down the barriers that prevent women from achieving their full potential.
