Kenya must guard against the rollback of institutional and constitutional gains made in the empowerment of women, Supreme Court Judge Lady Justice Njoki Ndung’u has urged.
Speaking in Mombasa during the inaugural Trickles and Harness public lecture series, Justice Ndung’u said the country’s journey towards gender equality has been long and hard-fought, and reversing these gains would strip women of opportunities secured under the Constitution and other legal frameworks.
Tax on sanitary towels
Citing the reintroduction of taxes on sanitary towels, Justice Ndung’u described the move as an “unwarranted rollback” on progress made for women’s rights.
“Some of the decisions on women are made by men who do not understand the struggles of women,” she said, urging women in leadership to master the art of negotiation to secure what is rightfully theirs.
Navigating Politics and Patriarchy
Delivering a lecture titled “Women in Leadership: Navigating the Crossroads Between Power Politics and Patriarchy,” she encouraged women leaders to resist stereotypes and sexism, using intellect, persuasion, and influence to achieve their goals.
She stressed the importance of engaging and educating men to help sustain gender parity and constitutional protections for women’s empowerment.
Honouring pioneers of women’s leadership
Justice Ndung’u paid tribute to pioneering women leaders such as Nyiva Mwendwa, Prof. Wangari Maathai, and Wambui Otieno, who overcame deep-rooted patriarchal barriers to make their voices heard.
She also recalled historical injustices faced by women in politics, such as Priscila Abwao, a Lancaster House Conference delegate whose memorandum was ignored, and Jemima Gachaga, the first nominated woman MP, who was pressured to resign in favour of a man.
“No one talks about them despite their input in nation building,” she noted, calling for the documentation of women’s contributions in leadership and governance.
Platform for change
The Trickle & Harness (T&H) Public Lecture Forum aims to foster an informed, engaged, and empowered society, according to its chairperson, Mrs. Evelyn Lele.
“This is more than a lecture series; it is a transformative platform where knowledge flows freely, empowering individuals and communities with actionable insights,” Mrs. Lele said.
The forum seeks to counter misinformation and disinformation, especially in an era where emerging AI technologies threaten democratic integrity, public health, and social cohesion.
Building Networks and Knowledge
The inaugural lecture brought together professionals from the legal, management, leadership, communication, and public relations fields.
T&H aims to promote public education, encourage civic engagement, bridge knowledge gaps, inspire positive change, and create lasting connections among professionals, academics, and community leaders.
Kenya must guard against the rollback of institutional and constitutional gains made in the empowerment of women, Supreme Court Judge Lady Justice Njoki Ndung’u has urged.
Speaking in Mombasa during the inaugural Trickles and Harness public lecture series, Justice Ndung’u said the country’s journey towards gender equality has been long and hard-fought, and reversing these gains would strip women of opportunities secured under the Constitution and other legal frameworks.
Tax on sanitary towels
Citing the reintroduction of taxes on sanitary towels, Justice Ndung’u described the move as an “unwarranted rollback” on progress made for women’s rights.
“Some of the decisions on women are made by men who do not understand the struggles of women,” she said, urging women in leadership to master the art of negotiation to secure what is rightfully theirs.
Navigating Politics and Patriarchy
Delivering a lecture titled “Women in Leadership: Navigating the Crossroads Between Power Politics and Patriarchy,” she encouraged women leaders to resist stereotypes and sexism, using intellect, persuasion, and influence to achieve their goals.
She stressed the importance of engaging and educating men to help sustain gender parity and constitutional protections for women’s empowerment.
Honouring pioneers of women’s leadership
Justice Ndung’u paid tribute to pioneering women leaders such as Nyiva Mwendwa, Prof. Wangari Maathai, and Wambui Otieno, who overcame deep-rooted patriarchal barriers to make their voices heard.
She also recalled historical injustices faced by women in politics, such as Priscila Abwao, a Lancaster House Conference delegate whose memorandum was ignored, and Jemima Gachaga, the first nominated woman MP, who was pressured to resign in favour of a man.
“No one talks about them despite their input in nation building,” she noted, calling for the documentation of women’s contributions in leadership and governance.
Platform for change
The Trickle & Harness (T&H) Public Lecture Forum aims to foster an informed, engaged, and empowered society, according to its chairperson, Mrs. Evelyn Lele.
“This is more than a lecture series; it is a transformative platform where knowledge flows freely, empowering individuals and communities with actionable insights,” Mrs. Lele said.
The forum seeks to counter misinformation and disinformation, especially in an era where emerging AI technologies threaten democratic integrity, public health, and social cohesion.
Building Networks and Knowledge
The inaugural lecture brought together professionals from the legal, management, leadership, communication, and public relations fields.
T&H aims to promote public education, encourage civic engagement, bridge knowledge gaps, inspire positive change, and create lasting connections among professionals, academics, and community leaders.
