Kenya

We are happy to share that Wanja Maina, participant of the Eastern Africa Young Women's Empowerment Academy

“On social media, President Samia Suluhu is objectified simply because she is a woman president. Women journalists work tirelessly to cover her objectively. However, when politicians call for a press conference, social media influencers are given priority, while journalists are relegated to the backbenches,” recounted a woman journalist from Tanzania.

From parliamentary sexism to online harassment, women face multi-faceted barriers to political participation across all levels of government.

In the remote yet strikingly beautiful Nguruman Escarpment of Kajiado County, Kenya, a transformative initiative is unfolding. Here, in a traditionally patriarchal Maasai community, a group of men—known as the Men Champions—has become crucial allies in the fight for gender equality in leadership. These men are part of a broader effort to challenge deep-seated cultural barriers, offering crucial support for women seeking political leadership in a county where progress has been slow.