If we want to position ourselves as women leaders, we must embrace personal development
Anne Babu, Mentor and Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
Women Leadership, not only in Kenya but even continentally, remains an evergreen topic so paramount to be wished away.
The conversation and the agitation to get women at the decision-making table, however, has been challenging and hemmed in by myriad challenges.
To push the societal boundaries and jostle through the age-old stereotypes, mentorship and advocacy have been the genius strokes to boost women’s courage, self-esteem, and mindset towards their leadership, raising their adrenaline to go for the empty seats on the decision-making tables.
Women Leadership in Context
In Kenya, women’s presence in leadership quarters is described as beating the odds and rising beyond the patriarchal structures of culture, stereotype, bullying and tradition.
A 2021 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Kenya report titled ‘Consolidating Democratic Dividends for Sustainable Transformation in Kenya’ reveals that a mere 21.78 percent and 30.88 percent of women sit at the National Assembly and Senate, respectively.
In neighboring Rwanda, women legislators account for about 61.25 percent, and Kenya’s other neighboring countries are soaring far high on the balance.
To counter this status quo, the Gusii Women in Leadership Network (GWILN) collaborated with EDIKA Investment and held a one-of-a-kind High Tea event for Gusii women in Kisii town.
It aimed at equipping the Gusii Women on leadership, wellness, and entrepreneurship, through an up-front conversation tailored to prepare them to face the current trends in leadership and other spaces courageously.
The occasion, held on December 3, 2022, within the sixteen days of activism against Gender-Based Violence, was under the theme Time to Take Your Space at the Table, strategically held to arm women with the right arsenal required to lead in Kenya, be it politically, in entrepreneurial and corporate quarters or otherwise.
In her opening remarks, Edinah Kangwana (MBS), the host, indicated, “This is a platform we can share our experiences in the way we know as Gusii Women. It’s a space for leadership, modelling, learning, re-learning and unlearning.”
Ms. Kangwana is an immediate former Minister at the Kisii County Government, a mentor, an award-winning transformational leader and a gender and youth advocate.
Termed bounteous one-stop-shop and lesson-filled by the delegates, the forum sought to weave a positive perception and show why the Gusii women need to be included in leadership spheres of the government, business, families and education.
The event provided an elbow room for the modeling, empowerment and mentorship of the women for posterity, an approach termed by Ms. Kangwana as “…the only way we can grow leaders in Gusii and Kenya.”
In Kenya, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 on Gender Equality and SDG 10 on Reduced Inequality are still blank pages, waiting to be inked.
The transformational leader felt that the women “…are the seed we’re planting today for the Gusii and Kenya we look forward to tomorrow.”
Becoming a fit-to-lead
Evelyne Ogendo, a renowned counseling psychologist and mental health and wellness champion, tackled mental health, wellness and family in the context of women leadership.
During her keynote speech, she urged all women to get it right when deciding on life’s issues, reminding them that they control their own situation.
She highlighted intelligence, team leadership, well-connectedness and right exposure as vital attributes of empowered women.
Underscoring the essence of positive perception towards life, she noted, “All of us have the responsibility to make the Gusii leaders through battling stereotypes and wrong perception towards leadership.”
Amidst the current mental wellness crisis affecting millions everywhere, she reminded the women leaders that a relaxed, happy mind is the recipe for correct decision-making.
“To balance profession and family,” she advised, “know your ideal roles at home and at work, setting time for each.”
She also challenged them to love themselves, remain resilient amidst challenges, set boundaries, communicate things, and remain ready to solve issues.
“If we want to position ourselves as women leaders, we must embrace personal development,” observed Anne Babu.
She’s an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, Chief Executive Officer Kenya Employment Law, mentor and thought leader, during her Keynote Speech on Women Career Growth Development.
For career growth, she revealed that one must pick and pursue a specific area of expertise, amassing vast knowledge and skills around it.
“Develop your brand and work on your image. Know and locate your customers, positioning yourself for them. Simultaneously, to stick in your prospects’ minds, remain consistent,” she coached.
She further urged the women to be intentional and open to the future while building their social capital.
Ms. Babu reminded them that well-calculated volunteering is the path to getting the right social capital and leads to future opportunities.
To the young professionals, she advised them to learn the science of money, save, invest and have a financial adviser while also taking well-planned career risks.
Women health, wellness and personal development
To fully snatch the essence of the occasion, the event had two panel discussions to unpack the mysteries around women leadership, health and wellness, and career progression in politics, among other bolts and nuts.
Tackling women leadership and servanthood, Rose Omango, a management professional and woman entrepreneur, told the participants, “In any career you’re in, you need to find space, start small and give back to the society. You do not need an office or title to serve.”
Such giving back is through advocacy for women’s rights, such as land ownership and inclusion in leadership spaces.
She stressed the need to pull up one another through mentorship, challenging them to also upskill and equip for the ever-changing trends in leadership and other facets of life.
“As you climb the professional ladder, image is key. Comport yourself rightly,” said Linet Momanyi, a veteran banker and senior Kenya Central Bank (KCB) Branch Manager.
Ms. Momanyi commissioned the women out of their comfort zones, spurring them to rise above normalcy and soar higher.
“To thrive, you must have unquestionable morals and ethics,” she advised, assuring them that they will achieve their dreams.
Emotional Intelligence is crucial if any leader is to remain relevant and effective, according to Caroline Nyaseti, a seasoned leadership and governance practitioner and current Chief Officer in charge of Lands and Urban Planning, Kisii County Government.
It’s the ability to understand the surroundings and people by perceiving, understanding, managing, using, and handling emotions wittingly.
“As women leaders, we must be aware of our surroundings and improve on our social skills,” she impressed, adding that good workplace relationships are vital among leaders.
She equally emphasized the need for integrity, empathy and honesty in leadership.
On personal development towards academics and matters Gender Based Violence (GBV) among women, “All women benefit from mentorship,” says Magdalene Gesare, a GBV Advocate, Kisii University don and founder member, Roundtable Wellness Foundation Kenya, a platform addressing mental health.
According to her, inspiration is the fuel to success and even the most naïve find rejuvenation in it.
She reminded the women that despite all snags along the way, they still have the potential to unlock their dreams.
Dr. Edna Orina, a global award-winning medical doctor and gender and youth advocate, spent twelve years training for her medical field.
She used her own experience to spark resilience and hard-work in the women.
Speaking on health, the case of Breast Cancer, she urged the participants to be keen on what they eat, avoid alcohol, turning obese and other things jeopardizing people’s health.
From as early as 25 years of age, women should start regular screening for breast cancer and other potential health complications.
Dr. Orina is the head of Radiology and Imaging at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH). From her giving back to the community, she was awarded a Global Civility Award by iChange Nations in 2020.
Nuggets on women and entrepreneurship challenges and lessons from Lilian Marube, a renowned entrepreneur, suggested to the women not to do everything in partnership but to also own individual assets and savings.
She challenged the women leaders to stay courageous. She is the Founder and President, Boscovet Project Kenya.
The partner organizations urged the women to elevate their voices higher, terming the power of inspiration as a driving force towards success.
Women Career Progression in Politics
Different women politicians shared their first-hand experiences on the contention for the political spaces in Gusii Region, unraveling the stumbling blocks and providing pathways to overriding the patriarchal fences, gender biases, ageism, and other impediments towards women political leadership, especially in the Gusii region.
Julie Nyanchama, a medical consultant and gender equity advocate, reminded the congregation that “… wherever you go, women political leadership empowerment is key.”
Whether at home or in the office, she urged the women to support their colleagues whenever they seek their helping hands.
For a firm grasp of the political spaces, she opined that embracing one another in support and starting with what’s available is the invincible weapon.
Magdalene Mwebi, the immediate former advisor to the Kisii former Governor on Gender and the pioneer Gusii Woman Entrepreneur, reminded the participants that “We must change our attitudes and be ourselves. Get out of your nests and do something; stand up and be counted.”
She stressed the essence of courage, assertiveness and standing by one’s vision and aspirations for success.
Way out
But the fight for such spaces needs engaging various stakeholders, including the media, to amplify the voices on the need to elect women in Gusii and nationwide, according to Risper Onguti, a former nominated Member of County Assembly (MCA) in the Kisii County Assembly.
“We’ve started on the right track and time, to prepare and offer civic education for future women leadership,” she observed.
She equally underlined the need to negotiate with political parties to consider more women because they merit, and field them for election.
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To get it right, women must loosen the fabric of the current stereotype narrative. That is in the words of Evelyne Ogendo, a political analyst and 2022 Kisii County Women Representative aspirant.
“Let us have an honest conversation about what is ailing us,” she urged, reminding them that it’s until they all accept the situation, realize it haunts them all, and chart a way out in unanimity, shall they succeed and sit on the empty seats awaiting them on the boardrooms.
While the spaces occupied by women leaders remain scanty, despite their high population in relation to men’s, the hope to disrupt the status quo remains alive.
As the women agitate to move the ball down the field, the government has the mandate to equip them more and facilitate their entry into leadership arenas by promoting gender-sensitive policies and a change of perception towards women leaders.
