Kenyan women researchers, start-ups, innovators and the private sector shared a platform to celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day at the British High Commissioner's residence in Nairobi on 8th March 2023. This year’s theme was “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality”.
The event brought together key stakeholders from government, private sector, academia and development. New connections were catalysed and ideas on how different stakeholders can work together to narrow the digital gender gap and use science, tech and innovation to promote greater gender equality in Kenya were discussed.
The event was graced by HE High Commissioner Jane Marriott and the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy Mr. Eliud Owalo. The two stressed on commitments to place girls and women at the heart of the country’s development agenda.
Women researchers, including a small selection of the Mawazo Institute’s 2018 and 2021 Fellows, and other female innovators in science and technology were provided a platform to pitch their ideas to the industry leaders by showcasing their works while sharing their personal stories and their research achievements and how this has contributed towards social change and development.
The event opened with a fireside chat hosted by Dr. Fiona Moejes, Mawazo Institute’s CEO. Panellists included Kariuki Ngari - Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited, Peter Ndegwa, Chief Executive Officer, Safaricom, Jane Karuku - Group MD & CEO - East African Breweries Limited and Sonal Sejpal, Chairperson British Chamber of Commerce Kenya. They all highlighted their commitment and activities around gender equality and digital inclusion and how that has contributed towards bridging the gender gap in the private sector. These include childcare centres, maternity and paternity leave, a 13th-month salary, hybrid and other flexible work arrangements, and a women-only production line.
This event was the first of its kind for our women researchers, and as the Mawazo Institute we will continue to support their contributions towards impactful solutions relevant to industry development.
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