Women empowerment policy step towards equality, inclusive growth

Rooted in the Constitution and aligned with international human rights instruments and commitments—including Convention on Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women and the African Union’s Agenda 2063—the policy positions women’s economic empowerment as central to sustainable national development.

The policy goes beyond general aspirations, embedding human rights, equity, and social justice principles into clear objectives and actionable programmes.

What sets this policy apart is its extensive focus on 15 critical economic sectors, including agriculture, trade, manufacturing, construction, energy, ICT, and emerging fields such as the blue economy and the digital sector.

This broad scope acknowledges the complex and intersecting barriers women face in different industries. For example, while women form the backbone of informal, agricultural and trade sectors, they are underrepresented in high-tech manufacturing and infrastructure development.

The policy aims to bridge these gaps by boosting women’s skills, improving access to finance, promoting digital inclusion, and supporting entrepreneurship.

Recognising that women are not a homogeneous group, the policy addresses intersectional forms of discrimination affecting marginalised groups such as women with disabilities, widows, minority communities, and survivors of gender-based violence.

It also prioritises challenging persistent socio-cultural norms and stereotypes that confine women to low-paying and informal jobs with poor working conditions with little prospects of upward mobility.

The policy provides for community dialogues and public awareness campaigns, and advocates the transformation of traditional mindsets that have long hindered women’s economic participation. This grassroots approach promises to unlock more inclusive opportunities and shift societal attitudes for lasting change.

Kenya’s robust mobile money ecosystem is a powerful tool within the policy’s framework. It seeks to amplify women’s financial inclusion by expanding access to affordable credit, ensuring timely payments under government contracts, and leveraging digital platforms for market access and business management.

The policy is a bold declaration that gender equality is not just a moral imperative but a catalyst for inclusive growth and poverty reduction.

As counties, national agencies, and stakeholders rally around this visionary framework, Kenyan women are poised to become stronger actors in the country’s socio-economic transformation. This landmark policy sets a powerful example for Africa and beyond, charting a clear path toward economic justice and sustainable development for all.

Moreover, investments to enhance women’s digital literacy and access to ICT facilities—including establishing technology hubs and promoting STEM education for girls—will equip women to compete and innovate in Kenya’s rapidly growing digital economy and bridging the digital divide

Valuing unpaid care work

A standout feature of the NPWEE is its commitment to recognizing and mitigating the burden of unpaid care and domestic work, which predominantly falls on women and limits their economic advancement.

The policy proposes integrating unpaid care work into national statistics and GDP calculations, alongside expanding care services and infrastructure to ease women’s workloads.

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This recognition is a crucial step toward enabling women to balance caregiving responsibilities with income-generating activities, thereby fostering more equitable economic participation.

Climate resilience and humanitarian response

In a country vulnerable to climate shocks, the policy’s gender-responsive climate action is critical. It promotes women’s participation in climate governance, access to climate finance, and adoption of sustainable, climate-smart agricultural practices. This inclusive approach is designed to strengthen women’s resilience, particularly in fragile ecosystems.

The policy also ensures that humanitarian responses adequately address women’s needs during crises—ranging from gender-based violence prevention to uninterrupted healthcare and livelihood support—empowering women amidst adversity.

Strong institutional backbone and accountability

Successful implementation of the NPWEE depends on a robust institutional framework led by the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action, in collaboration with ministries, county governments, academia, civil society, private sector, and development partners.

A detailed implementation matrix, resource mobilization strategy, and comprehensive monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are in place to ensure transparency and continuous improvement.

Leadership and political representation

Linking economic empowerment to increased political participation, the policy seeks to enforce constitutional gender quotas and provide capacity-building for women leaders and candidates.

This dual focus on economic and political inclusion promises to deepen democratic governance and amplify women’s voices in shaping Kenya’s future.

Emilly Owitii is the Communications, Policy Advocacy and Knowledge Manager at the University of Nairobi, African Women Studies Centre - Women’s Economic Empowerment Hub