The event brought together over 3,000 participants from local communities, the National and County Governments, civil society organizations, development partners, the private sector, and other stakeholders
NEW YORK, United States of America, May 18, 2025/APO Group/ --
International Women's Day (IWD) is a global day dedicated to celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and girls, while also calling for renewed action to advance gender equality. First declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1975, IWD has since become a pivotal moment to both honor progress and spotlight the work still ahead.
This year, Kenya commemorated International Women’s Day in Homa Bay County under the theme, "For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment." The 2025 theme underscored the urgency of unlocking equal rights, power, and opportunities for all, and called for a feminist future where no one is left behind. Central to the celebrations was the recognition of youth — particularly young women and adolescent girls — as key catalysts for lasting change.
The event brought together over 3,000 participants from local communities, the National and County Governments, civil society organizations, development partners, the private sector, and other stakeholders.
The Chief Guest, H.E. Rachel Ruto, First Lady of the Republic of Kenya, highlighted the strides made by the government toward gender equality, such as the expansion of the Women Enterprise Fund, which continues to enhance access to affordable credit for women entrepreneurs. She further emphasized Kenya’s progress in women’s political participation, especially in the context of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action.
Antonia NG’abala-Sodonon, UN Women Kenya Country Representative, lauded the government's steadfast support toward the gender equality agenda. She cited milestones such as advancing the two-thirds gender rule, developing the National Care Policy (currently under Cabinet consideration), launching the Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy and Women’s Charter, and establishing a 42-member taskforce to address gender-based violence and femicide.
Antonia also highlighted the significance of 2025 as a pivotal milestone as it marked 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. She emphasized the urgent need to address persistent challenges and emerging issues, such as climate justice and the impact of digital technologies, to achieve gender equality and meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
H.E. Pirkka Tapiola, Finland’s Ambassador to Kenya and Co-Chair of the Development Partners Gender Group, reinforced the importance of prioritizing gender equality across all government programs. While acknowledging the progress in tackling gender-based violence and femicide, he urged for continued, intensified efforts.
A major highlight of the day was the launch of Kenya’s Beijing +30 Country Report officiated by H.E. Rachel Ruto flanked by key dignitaries. The report documents the country's critical achievements, challenges, and opportunities to accelerate gender equality and women’s empowerment over the past five years.
The International Women's Day 2025 celebrations in Homa Bay reaffirmed the collective commitment of all stakeholders to invest in women and girls as a driving force for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women - Africa.
The assistant minister of (energy and minerals) doing the job for the top guys like the foreign minister, silaanyo, or his close comrades, what sort of country is this. This somaliland is so funny
The sort of country where the locals do the talking. The issue is concerning Sanaag not Woqooyi Galbeed or Togdheer. So what better person to address the issue than the minster of “energy and minerals” who hails from Sanaag. What’s really funny is your Reading comprehension.
that is just a normal politicking, if you understand you dull miserable pal ha!
Let the fugitives SNM cockroaches who are holed up in Hargeisa bark all they like god willing we will clean them from the entire Somalia.
It’s been 23 years when is this so called clean up coming?
Are you stupid don't you see we have a government now? for 23 years the fugitives SNM cockroaches were running wild now we will put them in a big zoo in bari.
Which government? Are you talking about the Uganda government in Mogadishu or the government of Puntland, the one giving all their land away to Somaliland free of charge.
Just like we put pirateland Geezers in jail in Hargeisa for stealing seafood get a life instead of being on our website hating ever article stop wincing cry baby