Centenary celebrations of the International Women's Day In Kenya

The International Women’s Day, marked on the 8th of March every year was this year held in Nairobi Kenya at the Kenyatta International Conference Center (KICC). The event commemorating women empowerment worldwide marked a hundred years since its inception, with the theme “Equal access to education, training, science and technology: a pathway to decent work for women”.

The guest of honor at the ceremony was Dr. Naomi Shaban, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Development, who, in her speech, articulated how free primary education had contributed to the increase in primary school enrollment and retention, especially for the girl-child.

Minister Shaban also highlighted how the Government and its partners had developed and implemented policies and programs seeking to economically empower women by addressing gender inequality and impediments on education for the girl-child.

In a speech presented on his behalf by UN Resident Coordinator Aeneas Chuma, Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon noted that the gender gap in education was closing yet there were still differences within and across countries. “…far too many girls are still denied schooling, leave prematurely or complete school with few skills and fewer opportunities” he said. In her keynote address, the Assistant Minister of Environment, Prof. Margaret Kamar reiterated the need for girl-child education and access to science and technology, and that girls should no be stopped from accessing education at any level.

Pomp and color marked the centenary milestone with women groups from all walks of life converging at KICC after a procession through the Nairobi city centre, to acknowledge and highlight women’s achievements.The commemoration of International Women’s Day 2011 was organized jointly by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development, and the UN system in Kenya.