Professional Documents
Culture Documents
THE PRESIDENCY
MINISTRY OF DEVOLUTION AND PLANNING
from
government,
non-governmental
organizations,
this National Womens Conference which has been convened under the
theme Delivering the Womens Agenda: Beyond the Written.
I note that the National Action Plan has been developed within the context
of Kenyas present socio-economic, cultural, political and environmental
situation and with the aspirations of Kenyas women in mind.
I applaud the consultative process that informed the National Charter and
note the complementary role it plays to the Governments Vision 2030, the
Second Mid Term Plan and the Governments agenda of gender equality
and womens empowerment. As the Ministry responsible for Gender, the
Ministry of Devolution and Planning is pleased to work in collaboration with
partners committed to the Governments existing policies and initiatives in
the promotion of gender equality and womens empowerment. As such, we
welcome and applaud the hard work of all the organizations which is
reflected in this Charter.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is also clear that the National Action Plan speaks to the Post 2015
Development Agenda on gender equality and the empowerment of women
and is aligned to Kenyas existing commitments in international law
including International treaties, declarations and conventions that articulate
the rights of women and girls such as the United Nations Declaration on
Protocol, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the
African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Experience has taught us that democratic ideals of inclusiveness,
accountability, and transparency cannot be achieved without laws and
policies that address inequalities. This includes the existing disparities on
gender equality. It is therefore paramount that we weave these ideals into
the social, political and economic fabric of our society, such that beyond
the legal framework girls and women are able to realize all their aspirations
without limitations due to gender. Our goal as a Government is not merely
to have a progressive legal and policy framework but to have a country
where the laws support the practical realization of empowerment and
equality for women and girls. To do this we need everyone to uphold the
laws and the values of the Constitution. CSO, County and National
government and men and women, we all need to work together to support
inclusion and gender equality. Together we can ensure a country where
girls have more choices than ever before in our history, so that their
dreams, from being an engineer to being President are attainable.
As you may be aware, this year marks two decades since the Beijing
Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted by world leaders. The
leaders committed to ensuring the development of policies and legislative
frameworks aimed at promoting the rights of women and girls across the
member states, equal participation of women in leadership, governance
and decision making.
3
ascribe
to
the
principles
of
gender
equality
and
womens
empowerment.
I am sure you have heard the proverb If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If
you want to go far, walk together. Ladies and Gentlemen let us commit