By Matilda Atieno
A special session organized by the county directorate of gender in partnership with Practical Action gathered county gender officers and gender champions to dialogue on the links between gender and leadership roles as well as economic empowerment as part of the preparation for the upcoming sub-county community dialogue.
In line with the county government’s increased ambition to address gender equality, the workshop served as an opportunity for Kisumu to address gender equality programs, and projects and to consult on the role that the community and families can have in supporting gender-responsive projects and programs.
Gender roles and leadership have historically been unrecognized and undervalued in the communities, and persistent social and economic inequalities between men and women hold back today’s prospects for sustainable development and economic empowerment. Thus, the much-needed sub-county dialogue intends to cover best practices and lessons learned on gender roles in promoting leadership, resource management, and economic sustainability, as well as challenges and opportunities available to impact gender issues in the community.
During the workshop, the Practical Action project coordinator, Madam Purity Malel, accentuated the importance of the community dialogue, and the role of the county government in supporting gender and participation in policy-making as well as resource management. Practical Action also emphasizes representation, capacity building, and economic empowerment by providing equal opportunities to contribute to sustainable development.
Through the structured community dialogue, the county aims to increase community understanding of gender equality to challenge and change the negative perception of the community towards leadership and decision-making.
