NAIROBI, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Friday marked International Women's Day with senior officials renewing their commitment to eliminating cultural and economic barriers that hinder the realization of gender parity in public life.
President William Ruto presided over the International Women's Day celebration in the central Kenyan county of Embu, vowing to advance the welfare of women and girls in all spheres. "Our country is inching closer to realizing the goal of equal rights for both men and women. We have enacted sweeping legislative and policy reforms to ensure that dignity, rights and privileges for women are protected," Ruto said.
The 2024 edition of International Women's Day was held under the theme of "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress," underscoring the importance of gender-inclusive economic development.
Ruto said the government is committed to narrowing the gender gap in elective positions besides leveraging punitive legislation to eliminate harmful practices like gender-based violence, female genital mutilation and forced marriages.
While decrying the growing crisis of femicide in the country, Ruto pledged to mobilize resources and place security apparatus on alert to boost the safety of women and girls.
Ruto said the implementation of a bottom-up economic transformation agenda focusing on affordable housing, food security, financial inclusion and universal health coverage will also benefit women. He added that women's economic empowerment will also be realized through investments in value addition for agricultural produce, the establishment of industrial parks and digital superhighways.
To demonstrate his commitment to gender parity in public service, Ruto announced the appointment of 10 women ambassadors and six deputies who will soon be posted in the country's foreign missions.
Aisha Jumwa, cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage, said the government is committed to the affirmative action agenda to ensure women occupy senior elective and appointive positions. ■
