That was the Clarion call to women as Mama County Dorothy Nyong’o led celebrations at Anyang’ Nyong’o Secondary school in Seme Sub county to mark the annual International Women’s Day (IWD) 2021.
Guided by this year’s theme “A challenged world is an alert world”, speaker after speaker called on women and girls to take up leadership positions in their spaces.
“Leadership is not just political. In churches, in your groups, within your households, take the lead.” Beseeched Mrs. Nyong’o as she lauded young girls from Kisumu County who had broken the proverbial glass ceiling and were flying the County’s flag high.
“The leadership tables are occupied largely by men. Find your space at the table and if the table is full, find another table and build your own community of women leaders”, decried the CEC Member for Tourism Sport and Culture Ms. Achie Alai.
The event was graced by Esther Akoth K’Okeyo also known as Akothee Madam Boss who challenged the secondary school going girls to focus on their destiny and rise above challenges of adolescence.
“Who are you? Have a moment of introspection on your current status and then seek a future of success, a future of freedom. It is all within you. If you can think it, you can achieve it. Walk like you have no apologies to make – with well calculated steps and head held high.” Expressed Akothee as she strutted round the arena in high red-bottomed heels, dark glasses and a pink puffy dress. She further challenged the men to join the call and encourage their daughters and wives to seek and thrive in positions of leadership. “You may not know it but you men have a big influence in your daughters’ and wives’ lives. Do your part,” she concluded.
The International Women’s Day is a global event that celebrates social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The Kisumu event was organised by the Education, ICT and HRD department in collaboration with the County Gender Technical Working Group and the office of the County First Lady. As a precursor to the main event, the team had earlier convened a community dialogue forum where target groups were involved in discussions on leadership; protection of girls in a COVID-19 world; health and reproductive rights and referral systems and access to justice.
Also present at the event was the CEC. Member for Education, ICT and HRD John Obiero Awiti, Members of the Kisumu County Assembly, Chief officers Haggai Kadiri and Penina Onyango, county and national government administrators.
