More than 120 activists, policymakers, and youth leaders from five African nations have converged in Nairobi for a pivotal workshop addressing gender-based violence through positive masculinity. The two-day event at Pride Inn Luxury Boutique in Westlands brings together voices from Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Mali, and South Africa to challenge harmful gender norms and build safer communities.
The workshop, themed “Empowering Girls and Young Women for Transformative Leadership,” features prominent speakers including government officials and UN representatives. Ms. Anne Wang’ombe from Kenya’s State Department for Gender joins Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili and delegates from UN Women and Plan International in leading critical discussions.
Dr. Owili set the tone with a stark reminder of the crisis. “While women and girls bear the brunt of violence, the solution requires men’s participation,” he told attendees. His remarks highlighted Kenya’s urgent need for cultural transformation, particularly among youth, to break cycles of abuse.
Sessions throughout the event explore multiple fronts in the fight against gender violence. Experts will examine how to replace toxic masculinity with healthier models of manhood, while strengthening protections for women and girls both offline and in digital spaces. A key focus remains pushing African governments to adopt the continental treaty on ending violence against women and girls.
The gathering forms part of the wider She Leads Programme, a regional effort to elevate women’s leadership across Africa. Organizers including ECPAT International and Kenya’s child rights alliance KAACR aim to turn dialogue into concrete policy changes.
“Technology has become the latest battleground for exploitation,” warned Dr. Owili, citing new research on online threats facing young people. His call for stronger cyber protections underscores the evolving challenges in gender justice work.
As workshops continue, participants are crafting action plans ranging from community education campaigns to legislative reforms. Their shared mission remains clear: meaningful progress requires engaging men and boys as allies in creating equitable societies. With energy building in Nairobi’s conference halls, many leave hoping this summit marks a watershed moment for women’s safety across the continent.
