KEWOTA Pledges to Lead Fight Against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide During Annual Conference
By John Waithaka
The Kenya Women Teachers Association (KEWOTA), a welfare organization dedicated to improving the lives of women educators, has pledged to lead the fight against femicide and gender-based violence (GBV). During their 5th Annual Conference and Exhibition held at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development in Nairobi, KEWOTA members resolved to actively participate in the upcoming 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
The two-day event, which brought together hundreds of educators and stakeholders from across the country, featured a keynote address by President William Ruto’s Advisor on Women’s Rights, Ms. Harriette Chiggai. In her speech, Ms. Chiggai commended KEWOTA’s dedication to addressing challenges faced by women and applauded President Ruto’s allocation of KSh 100 million to the “Safe Home, Safe Space” initiative.
Ms. Chiggai highlighted several challenges faced by women in education, including gender-based discrimination, unequal pay, and limited opportunities for professional advancement to leadership roles. She also pointed out the prevalence of sexual harassment in the workplace, lack of mentorship and sponsorship programs, and inadequate infrastructure and resources in rural areas, all of which hinder effective teaching and career growth. She urged KEWOTA to address these issues by promoting gender equality through curriculum reforms, extracurricular activities, and mentorship initiatives aimed at both educators and students.
In addressing GBV, Ms. Chiggai called on the association to prioritize the mental health and well-being of women educators through continuous counseling and support services. She encouraged schools to implement clear policies against sexual harassment, including providing counseling and legal aid to victims. She emphasized the importance of teaching empathy, resilience, and problem-solving skills to students, which she said are critical in fostering meaningful relationships and combating GBV.
Ms. Chiggai urged educators to create safe learning environments and collaborate with the government to raise awareness about GBV. She expressed confidence in the potential of collective action to reverse the tide of femicide, stating, “The President’s call for all arms of government to unite against this vice underscores the possibility of reversing these cases through collaboration.”
The event, themed “Transformative Empowerment: Breaking Barriers and Bridging Gaps for Women Educators in the 21st Century,” emphasized equipping women educators with the tools needed to thrive in an evolving world. KEWOTA leaders, including Chairperson Modesta Akaki, Treasurer Jacinta Ndegwa, and CEO Benta Opande, reiterated the importance of empowering women educators to build an inclusive and equitable future in education.
The conference brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including teachers from Early Childhood Development, Special Needs Education, Informal Sectors, Tertiary Levels, Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, and retired educators. Policymakers, parents’ association representatives, corporate organizations, and NGOs also participated.
KEWOTA’s commitment to the 16 Days of Activism marks a significant step in raising awareness and fostering collective action to eliminate GBV in all its forms. The association’s dedication to advancing the rights and welfare of women educators signals a transformative shift toward a safer, more inclusive future for all.
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