- The theme for the IWD 2025 campaign is Accelerate Action, emphasising the significance of swiftly and decisively acting to achieve gender equality.
- Ednah Kangwana, Chairperson of GWILM, emphasized how deeply ingrained cultural norms continue to hinder women from stepping into leadership roles.
- Donya stressed that women must be at the decision-making table with their male counterparts to articulate challenges and improve their lives. She also encouraged aspiring women politicians to overcome fears of abuse and intimidation during tough political campaigns.
On International Women’s Day, women worldwide reflect on their achievements, confronting challenges, and strategizing solutions to reclaim and maintain their political, economic, and cultural spaces.
The theme for the IWD 2025 campaign is Accelerate Action, emphasising the significance of swiftly and decisively acting to achieve gender equality.
Scholar Media Africa has long been a beacon in highlighting women’s issues and championing gender empowerment. In alignment with our mission of impacting lives through women initiatives, we are proud to spotlight the Gusii Women In Leadership Network (GWILN) and its dynamic role in accelerating action toward a more inclusive, sustainable future for women. As we reflect on the journey thus far in women’s leadership, politics, and economic empowerment, we must ask: What has worked, what hasn’t, and what must be done differently? Today, we examine the critical discussions shaping the future and invite you to join us in this transformative conversation.
A Journey of Wins and Gaps in Women’s Leadership
Over the past three decades, strides in gender advocacy have redefined the narrative around women in leadership. From education to STEM and from grassroots advocacy to boardroom decisions, success stories and challenges have emerged hand in hand. As we stand at the precipice of the future, it is essential to learn from our wins and shortcomings. GWILN’s vision is not just to celebrate progress but also to accelerate actionable change by learning from experience, building resilience, and adopting intentional strategies for tomorrow’s leaders.
Ednah Kangwana, Chairperson of GWILM, emphasized how deeply ingrained cultural norms continue to hinder women from stepping into leadership roles.
“Break free from traditions that limit your potential. You have the ability to lead with excellence and drive meaningful change,” she encouraged.
To support this, GWILM has established mentorship programs and peer-learning initiatives aimed at nurturing women’s leadership growth and fostering a culture of empowerment.
Navigating Career Transitions and Building Resilience: Insights from Kanze Dena
Kanze Dena exemplifies the transformative power of resilience in high-pressure leadership roles. Her journey reveals that navigating career transitions requires more than just strategic acumen—it demands a mindset attuned to constant change. Dena’s experiences underscore the importance of adapting without losing momentum. For women, especially in leadership, embracing change isn’t optional; it is a necessity.
Her approach highlights three critical areas:
- Adaptability in Leadership Stages: Transitioning between roles is not merely about shifting positions but about evolving one’s perspective and strategies.
- Sustaining Momentum Through Change: A proactive approach to change can transform potential setbacks into opportunities for growth.
- Long-Term Resilience: In moments of challenge, resilience isn’t just an asset—it is the bedrock of sustained leadership.
Kanze Dena Mararo, a media personality, is a former spokesperson in the executive office of the President of the Republic of Kenya. She currently serves as the Director Communication in the Office of the 4th President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta.
Education and STEM: Lessons from Prof. Rosebella Maranga
Prof. Rosebella Maranga, the Vice Chancellor of Multimedia University, invites us to take stock of the Beijing+30 legacy—a reflection on three decades of gender advocacy in education and STEM. Her analytical perspective reveals a dual narrative of successes and persistent gaps:
- Empowerment Through Higher Education: National universities have emerged as key drivers in shaping future women leaders. They not only provide academic excellence but also nurture critical thinking and leadership skills necessary for today’s complex challenges.
- Bridging the STEM Gender Gap: The field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics remains non-negotiable for future leadership. Maranga’s insights emphasize that closing the gender gap in STEM is not only about increasing numbers; it’s about fostering an environment where women can innovate and lead.
Her analytical approach underscores that while significant progress has been made, continued investment in education and STEM is vital for preparing the next generation of women leaders.
Political Resilience: Hon. Doris Aburi on Failing, Rising, and Learning
Political leadership is often a turbulent arena. Hon. Doris Aburi’s experiences in politics serve as a powerful reminder that setbacks are not the end of the journey—they are learning opportunities. Her reflections are particularly valuable for women navigating political spaces that can be fraught with challenges.
Key lessons from Aburi’s journey include:
- Transforming Failures into Stepping Stones: Political setbacks, when approached with resilience, can become catalysts for personal and professional growth.
- Managing Perceptions: In a world where political relevance is constantly questioned, maintaining a robust public presence after a setback is crucial.
- Re-Entry with Renewed Energy: Hon. Aburi champions practical strategies that enable women to re-enter political spaces with strength, clarity, and purpose.
Her story is a call to all women in leadership: embrace failures as a natural part of the journey, learn from them, and continue striving for excellence.
Mentorship and Social Capital: Hon. Irene Nyakerario Mayaka’s Vision
Effective leadership is never a solitary journey. Hon. Irene Nyakerario Mayaka emphasizes the transformative power of mentorship and social capital in accelerating women’s success in leadership and business. Her vision is clear: building strong networks is essential for breaking systemic barriers and opening new pathways for women.
Her discussion points include:
- The Critical Role of Mentorship: Every woman in leadership should have access to mentors and sponsors who provide guidance, open doors, and help navigate complex professional landscapes.
- Intentional Relationship-Building: Social capital, when cultivated intentionally, becomes a formidable tool for professional advancement.
- Paying It Forward: Leaders are encouraged not only to build networks but also to mentor and support others, fostering a cycle of empowerment and growth.
Mayaka’s insights invite us to rethink leadership as a collective journey where individual success contributes to a broader movement for systemic change.
Mental Health and Wellness: Esther Mokaya-Obebo’s Call for Sustainable Leadership
In the relentless pace of modern leadership, mental health often takes a backseat. Esther Mokaya-Obebo challenges this norm by placing mental health and wellness at the forefront of effective leadership strategies.
Her key messages include:
- Foundation for Sustainable Leadership: A leader’s mental well-being is not a luxury—it is a necessity for long-term success.
- Strategies for Stress Management: Effective leadership requires balancing high demands with self-care practices that prevent burnout and sustain energy.
- Normalizing Mental Health Conversations: Opening up about mental health challenges can break down stigmas and promote a healthier, more inclusive work environment.
- Work-Life Integration Over Balance: Mokaya-Obebo encourages leaders to strive for work-life integration—a model that accepts the inevitable overlaps between personal and professional life while promoting well-being.
Her perspective is a call to action for organizations to prioritize mental health as a core component of leadership development.
Mastering Digital Influence: Janet Machuka on Social Media for Business and Leadership
In today’s digital era, social media is a powerful tool for shaping public perception and building influential brands. Janet Machuka offers practical insights into harnessing this power for professional impact.
Her recommendations include:
- Digital Influence Strategies: Women leaders must navigate the digital landscape with a clear understanding of both the opportunities and pitfalls inherent in social media.
- Avoiding Vanity Metrics: Beyond superficial measures of success, authentic engagement and strategic influence are what truly matter in building a lasting digital presence.
- Navigating New Digital Careers: The rise of digital influence as a career path offers fresh opportunities, particularly for women who seek to leverage their expertise and authenticity online.
- Rethinking Social Media Presence: Machuka questions whether traditional notions of social media presence may evolve as leadership paradigms shift, especially considering evolving attitudes toward aging and digital engagement.
Her insights serve as a roadmap for women to not only participate in but also shape the digital discourse in ways that promote genuine professional growth.
Personal Development and Resilience: Lessons from Maureen Moraa Obino
Personal development is the unsung accelerator of professional success. Maureen Moraa Obino stresses that continuous learning and self-improvement are non-negotiable for those aspiring to break new ground in leadership.
Highlights from her approach include:
- Overcoming Limiting Beliefs: Personal development involves dismantling the internal barriers that often hinder progress.
- From Setbacks to Comebacks: Every setback is a setup for a stronger comeback—this mindset is essential for anyone striving to make a mark in leadership.
- Continuous Learning as a Game-Changer: Embracing lifelong learning is not just about acquiring new skills; it’s about fostering a mindset that is agile, adaptive, and ready for future challenges.
Obino’s narrative is a rallying cry for all women to invest in their personal growth as a means to professional empowerment.
Bridging Grassroots and Boardrooms: Nancy Omweri on Accelerating Action for Impact
Nancy Omweri brings to the fore the critical need to bridge the gap between grassroots movements and boardroom strategies. Her work is a powerful reminder that authentic change arises when community voices are integrated into high-level decision-making processes.
Key strategies from her discussion include:
- Breaking Down Silos: Ensuring that grassroots perspectives inform policy and corporate leadership is essential for creating inclusive solutions.
- Connecting Advocacy with Impact: Transforming advocacy into measurable change requires tactical steps and continuous dialogue between communities and decision-makers.
- Leveraging Media for Empowerment: The media is a strategic tool that can amplify the voices of women, ensuring that their insights shape both policy and practice.
Her insights emphasize that real progress happens when communities and leaders work in tandem to promote gender equality.
Authentic Leadership: Shairoz Shamji’s Perspective on Integrity and Purpose
Authenticity in leadership is not just a buzzword—it is the future of effective governance. Shairoz Shamji’s discussions highlight how breaking away from outdated leadership molds and embracing authenticity can foster trust and long-term impact.
Her core ideas include:
- Integrity, Transparency, and Purpose: Authentic leadership is rooted in a commitment to these core values, which in turn build trust both within organizations and with external stakeholders.
- Long-Term Impact Through Authenticity: Leaders who remain true to themselves are better positioned to inspire lasting change and innovation.
Shamji’s perspective is a call to action for leaders to reject superficial leadership styles in favor of authenticity that resonates on a personal and professional level.
Political Allyship in Women’s Leadership: Hon. Dolphin Bwari’s Call for Change
Finally, Hon. Dolphin Bwari challenges political parties to reimagine their role in fostering women’s leadership. His analysis underscores that political structures must evolve to support—not stifle—women’s potential.
His recommendations include:
- Building Inclusive Political Spaces: Political parties should implement practical policies and structures that create environments where women can thrive.
- Reflecting on Past Missteps: Understanding where women may have faltered in political endeavors is crucial for developing strategies that address these shortcomings.
- Strategic Allyship: Political institutions must become true allies by fostering platforms for women to excel, rather than limiting them to survival in a challenging political landscape.
Bwari’s insights are a timely reminder that the journey toward gender parity in politics is a collective responsibility—one that requires structural changes, continuous learning, and proactive allyship.
A Call to Action for a Future-Ready Leadership
The discussions presented by these thought leaders form a comprehensive blueprint for accelerating gender equality in leadership. GWILN and Scholar Media Africa call on policymakers, educators, business leaders, and grassroots advocates to:
- Embrace Continuous Learning and Adaptability: Recognize that leadership is an evolving journey where resilience, personal development, and authentic communication are key.
- Integrate Diverse Voices: Ensure that every level—from grassroots to boardrooms—has a seat at the table, making inclusion a non-negotiable priority.
- Prioritize Mental Health and Well-Being: Understand that sustainable leadership is built on a foundation of mental and emotional wellness.
- Harness Digital Influence: Use modern tools and platforms to craft narratives that empower and inspire change.
- Forge Strategic Alliances: Develop policies and practices that are not only responsive to current challenges but also proactive in preparing for the future.
Nurturing Future Leaders
Kereri Girls Senior Principal, Tabitha Mogonchi, implored women leaders and professionals to mentor young girls, ensuring their talents are recognized early.
“The girl-child is talented and has immense potential if her abilities are nurtured from the start,” Mogonchi told the gathering, challenging professionals and alumni to visit schools, guide students on career choices, and support initiatives that help underprivileged girls complete their education.
About Gusii Women in Leadership Network (GWLN)
Gusii Women in Leadership Network is a platform for women’s leadership development in Gusii and Kenya at large.
The platform holds space for women’s leadership capacity building through peer-to-peer learning, mentor-to-mentee learning and experiential learning.
It was founded on the need to build and enhance women’s leadership capacity.
The platform stands to contribute to the achievement of gender equality in Kenya and beyond, with a keen interest in Gusii where systemic patriarchy has served as a major hindrance to the women’s leadership and development journey.
Scholar Media Africa remains at the forefront of supporting these transformative initiatives. Our commitment to gender empowerment and social impact is unwavering, and we invite all stakeholders to join us in accelerating action for a future-ready, inclusive society.
By learning from the past, addressing today’s challenges, and preparing for tomorrow, we can transform women’s leadership into a force for sustainable change. The time to act is now. Let GWILN and Scholar Media Africa be your partners in this journey—together, we can rewrite the narrative for women in leadership, politics, and economic empowerment.
MORE PHOTOS
