Women Leading Transformation in Africa

“The past three years has seen an increase in women participation towards societal transformation in various sectors among them political leadership, senior managerial positions, entrepreneurship, as well as sports and culture.” NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 4 – Women are now taking the lead in the transformation of Africa as the continent makes tremendous progress driving towards gender parity. Speaking during the 2022 Zuri Awards ceremony, Zuri Foundation Chief Executive Officer Norah Muthoni Mumo said the past three years has seen an increase in women participation towards societal transformation in various sectors among them political leadership, senior managerial positions, entrepreneurship, as well as sports and culture. “More women are now in political leadership positions; women in corporate boards in Kenya stand at 36 per cent, exceeding the global average of 23 percent.

There are now more women leading SMEs and building brands that are changing lives,” she explained. Mumo however noted that despite the improvement, gender inequality still remains high across the continent in world comparison. Accelerating progress towards gender parity could boost African economies by the equivalent of 10 percent of their collective GDP by 2025. “Women and adolescent girls are the most vulnerable group in Kenya. They are particularly vulnerable to poverty especially at the household and community is exacerbated by gender- based violence, harmful cultural attitudes and beliefs around gender roles, norms and female empowerment.

Limited control over benefits from land and other resources constrains women’s successful participation in the economy, particularly as producers and market actors. Women’s unpaid childcare and domestic work limits women’s contribution in and benefit from productive activities, constrain their mobility, and limit their access to market resources and information while participating in the economy,” Mumo noted. Mumo was speaking during the 2022 Zuri Awards, where 15 women were awarded in various categories that include : agriculture, innovation, STEM, humanitarian, arts & culture, media, renewable energy, manufacturing, public service, sports, health care, young achiever, finance, business and education. The award received over 250 submissions with three women in each category nominated. The nominees went through a thorough vetting process that included training and pitching by a panel of jurors who made the final decision.