A 2024 report by the National  Droughts and Management Authority (NDMA) stated that the impacts of climate change led to transactional sex for food, school fees and sanitary pads as a coping mechanism for girls and young women. The 2024 IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) confirms climate change disproportionately affects women thus exacerbating inequalities.

Worse still, the  NDMA report noted that climate change increased teenage pregnancies in the 23 counties totaled to 32,416 with girls 15-19 years (29,992). It is these kinds of damage that are irreversible and warrant a gender lens.

Speaking during a Post COP 30 meeting on loss and damage organized by UNFPA Kenya and the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Forestry, Ruth Nyamasege, the Kenya in-country senior facilitator the National Determined Contributions Partnership and  the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) III – 2023-2027 said, “Women in Kenya have been disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis.”

Nyamasege also underscored that women have incurred losses and damages that not only warrant attention but quantification. She further highlighted that women’s livelihoods have been deeply affected by climate change, and that they remain vulnerable, now more than ever.

Accordingly, Grace Uwizeye from UNFPA observed that , “Climate change is not gender neutral.” Uwizeye further demonstrated that women’s enormous loss of livelihoods is attributed to the climate induced hazards such as drought and floods.

She also highlighted that over 107, 318 women of reproductive age have been affected in Kenya due to rising water levels. 

Markedly, Evelyn Makena, Children Officer, National Social Protection Secretariat, said “When crisis hits, women and girls bear the greatest social, economic and care burdens.” Makena  reiterated that if women are not at the decision making table, responses will fail to reflect their needs.

With the same tone, Yvonne Ndanu from the State Department  of Gender Affairs and Affirmative action said, “Women and girls are more vulnerable to climate change due to pre-existing social norms and inequalities.” Ndanu reiterated that when it comes to climate change, women, men, girls and boys are affected in different ways.

Jecinta Kamau, from the Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development said , “Women participation and leadership is not optional; it is essential to designing just, effective Loss and Damage responses.” She further underscored that, “Loss and Damage is not gender neutral without women shaping climate decisions, the real costs remain invisible and climate justice remains out of reach.”

The Post COP 30 meeting brought together participants from national and county institutions  including faculty  from  Kenyatta University,  Masinde Muliro University, Egerton University , the University of Nairobi,  the County Governments of Kisumu, Busia, Nakuru and Turkana, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA), State Department of Gender and Affirmative Action, the National Treasury, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the National Social Protection Secretariat, Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development, State Department for Transport,  the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA), and the NDC Partnership underscoring the broad stakeholder engagement.

Speaking during the session, H.E. Maurizio Massari, President of the assembly and permanent secretary from Italy to the United Nations, said, “Women and girls cannot wait 68 years for child marriage to become history.”

His words painstakingly underscored the slow progress since the Beijing Declaration, which set ambitious goals for empowering women and dismantling systemic barriers. Despite decades of advocacy, challenges like poverty and discrimination continue to undermine these rights.

Accordingly, Sima Bahous, the Executive Director for UN Women, said, “We want to place young people, feminists, girls, and young women at the centre of development. Let history judge us not by our promises but  by the rights fulfilled for women and girls .” She advocated for progress towards gender equality.

Maka Chikowero, founder and president of MTC Educate A Girl, decried, “Systemic poverty among  women contributes to  school dropouts.” Chikowero underscored that “Child marriage remains a challenge.” She decried that “Lack of access and the digital divide make it a challenge for women, especially those in the rural areas.”

Accordingly, Imali Ngusale, the Lead Strategist at the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA) said that there needs to be intentional funding for the Global South. Ngusale emphasized that the intentionality of gender equality must put in place mechanisms that attempt to help women in the global south.

“We must move beyond rhetoric and embrace change that will help us achieve what we have been documenting for the last 30 years,” added Ngusale while submitting the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA) position on gender justice.’

Speaking during the session, Sara Cantillon said, “ The timing of discussing feminism is now. ” Cantillon noted that contemporary times can not impede the epistemology of feminism because its quintessentialism outweighs time.

Accordingly, İlkkaracan, a professor of economics at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Faculty of Management, and associate director of the ITU Women’s Studies, said, ” I claim the term feminism in my classroom and my students are open to it.” This notwithstanding, feminism is still an ideology that many seem to be ambivalent about. 

İlkkaracan acknowledged that the nuance of feminism does not come easily because, in some cases, she has been requested to “hush!” This, she claimed, happens predominantly in conferences that government officials predominantly attend.

İlkkaracan admitted that she has had to be mindful of her audience, particularly while engaging with the government officials, while discussing “gender.” I was invited to speak at a conference and I had to drop the word gender, yet gender is a main content of feminist economics,” confessed İlkkaracan.
Despite this rather unwelcoming view of gender and feminism, İlkkaracan still sees the essence of mainstreaming feminism.

“Beyond being political, the feminist narrative is now conceptualized in the  gender, ”  said İlkkaracan, “The economy must be alive to feminism.”

Speaking with the same tone, Elissa Braunstein, the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs and Professor of Economics in the College of Liberal Arts at Colorado State University, and the current chair of the Research Committee at IAFFE, said, “The dominance of empirical work in feminist economics is so critical.” Braunstein reiterated that while feminism is not necessarily a natural science, it is a persuasive empirical idea that has been underscored by the Journal of International Women’s Studies.

Braunstein admitted that sometimes proving that feminist empiricism is not easy, however, the. The fact that qualitative and quantitative data are used to discuss feminist research does indeed qualify as an empirical study that warrants attention.

Braunstein also said that feminism is very distinctive because it is grounded in empiricism, particularly because it interrogates economic models that in turn reproduce gender powers. She maintained that IAFFE has been successful in advancing feminist scholarship and enabling research that addresses critical issues of gender and power in economic systems.

Braunstein also highlighted that IAFFE has published a high proportion of scholars from the global south, and international orientation is robust. Feminist economics, according to Braunstein, is under-cited in academia. Braunstein admitted that the pathway of feminist economics is quintessential. 

Accordingly, Radhika Balakrishnan, a Professor Emeritus at Rutgers University, said, “We should celebrate everything IAFFE feminist scholarship has done in the last few years.”

Balakrishnan lauded the milestones feminists and, by extension, feminism have achieved in the last four decades. Balakrishnan also noted that there is room for more to be done, and young scholars now have an opportunity to explore the feminist ideology in depth.

In a rejoinder to the same conversation, Luiza Nassif Pires, a research fellow working in the Gender Equality and the Economy program, said, “The necessity of feminist economists is for academic activism.” Pires underscored that there is room for academic activism for feminism that requires intentionality.

“Bringing feminism into academic activism has been a long process,” lauded Pires,” Academic activism for feminist economics is not an easy journey. “

Pires said that feminism in academia requires mentorship. She said embracing feminism in economics means that we need to understand how our re-lived experiences merge with current realities.

Pires emphasized that becoming a better feminist requires intentionality in challenging barriers that oppress. She also said that there is a need to take a feminist epistemological advantage.

Daughter of the Soil is not merely story telling, it is a thrilling tale and an attempt to rewrite history through the lenses of those who have too often been left out but refused to give up. It is a heartwarming story that confronts the systemic injustices that were used to deny African girls education. It also paints a possible future, one in which girls and young women are liberated, exercise power, and showcase their epistenic rights.

But beyond this shimmer of belief,  the question of gender equity and women’s empowerment within Sub-Saharan Africa remains a prevailing quagmire  30 years after the Fourth World Conference on Women, commonly referred to as the Beijing Conference. For far too long, African girls and young women have been subjugated but the domination of the prevailing patriarchal norms. 

Thus, the potential of African girls and women has been sidelined and marginalized, yet they comprise 50.5% of Africa’s 1.54 billion population, a demographic majority rendered invisible by systems that fear their power.

Speaking at the premiere of the documentary Daughter of the Soil, the Founder and Creative Lead at Equality Vanguard said, ” The girl child has not been a priority, she has been treated as an afterthought in a world urgently in need of her light, her leadership, and her voice.”

Lauding similar sentiments  with the same tone, Simon Odhiambo, Programs Manager  from Goya Afrique Foundation, said, “Gender imbalance that disadvantages girls and young women warrants urgent attention.” Isaac believes that both women and women need to work together to ensure that no gender is discriminated.

It is perhaps for this reason why,  Dr. Vongai Nyahunzvi, Founder and Director of the Alliance for Women and Girls (AFWAG), is committed to creating a world where African girls and young women have their needs fully met. Dr. Nyahunzvi lauded that the girl’s place is not confined to domestic chores but in the realm of development and transformation.

Dr. Vongai Nyahunzvi believes that African girls and women should never hold back their rights and endeavor to resist deeply entrenched patriarchal norms. She insisted that Africans need to collaborate to dismantle systemic systems that undermine women’s leadership. She also said, “Women-led organizations need to work with policymakers and in the philanthropic entities to enhance the well-being of African women.

In her remarks,  Dr. Nyahunzvi said,  “We currently have over 200 organizations that we currently work with across the continent. She further said, “We believe that multiple narratives shape everything.”

Seemingly, the Alliance for Women and Girls (AFWAG)’s documentary is a weapon against complacency because it refuses to let society look away from the injustice of denied education, early marriages, and stolen potential. Whether it disrupts the deeply rooted patriarchal order can only be left for time to reveal.

The feminist protesters blew whistles and chanted “Stop killing women” as they marched through the streets today. Their rally gained momentum however police repeatedly dispersed the crowds with tear gas and multiple arrests.

Among those arrested was Irungu Houghton, the incumbent executive director of Amnesty International Kenya. His detention sent shockwaves across human rights circles, drawing global attention to the events unfolding in Nairobi. Amnesty International and the Law Society of Kenya swiftly issued a joint statement condemning the police actions, describing them as a violation of fundamental rights and a move that sends a “chilling message” to peaceful protesters.

Esther Nyakiri, a feminist activist and board member of the African Center for Health, Climate, and Gender Justice (ACHCGA) was also part of the noble campaign. Speaking during the alternation, Nyakiri said, “It is heartbreaking that instead of supporting us, the police use violence to suppress our voices.

“Our fight is not just for women it is for the dignity and future of this nation, ” lauded Nyakiri while calling out for increased protection for women.

The demonstration aimed to amplify calls for gender justice, with slogans like “Our bodies are not battlegrounds” and “Justice for survivors now, ” reflecting the collective pain and unyielding resolve of the movement.

Notably, a 2022 report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UN Women highlighted a grim future for women and young girls. Africa has the second-highest rate of femicide in the world. The continent recorded an estimated 22,000 gender-related killings of women in that year alone, underscoring the severity of gender-based violence across the region.

The report further revealed that most victims of femicide were killed by their former or current partners. These deaths often represent the tragic culmination of ongoing gender-based violence, pointing to the pervasive danger many women face in their intimate relationships. As Kenyan feminists continue to fight for their rights, their well-being seems to also be threatened by police violence. Whether the government will respond to this heinous activity will only be told if change is instituted.

Speaking with Liberal News Network in Nairobi, Benjamin Kahindi, Founder of the Safe Community Youth Initiative, said, ” There has been an increment in school dropouts among pregnant girls in Kilifi County.

Notably, the pregnant girls are largely from low-income families, and some of them are victims of negative social and cultural norms and practices.”

Kahindi warned that many adolescent girls fear being discriminated against because of the “smell of breast milk” and the changes experienced after giving birth.

It is approximated that over 4,000 school-going girls aged between 10 and 18 years were impregnated in 2023. Arguably the number has increased this year owing to the high cost of living. Worse still, young girls may also face another crisis because of their menstruation cycle.

Faith Pendo, the Founder of Pendant of Hope in Machakos County, said that more than 10,000 girls became gender-based violence victims because they could not access sanitary pads.

Pendo also underscored that adolescent girls continue to endure a lot of challenges because sanitary pads are expensive and inaccessible.

Speaking with the same tone, Joseph Ojuki, Founder and Senior Programs Manager at the Health and Economic Development Strategy Organisation (HEDSO), said, “There’s a lot of vulnerability within the lake region and the people there predominantly depend on fishing as their source of income. ”

Onjuki also noted that adolescent girls and young women. continue to remain vulnerable to gender-based violence and urged decision-makers to act quickly by reducing the costs of reproductive health products and services.

Dr. Vongai Nyahunzvi, Founder and CEO of Alliance for Women and Girls (AFWAG) also shared the same view and said that Kenya may not achieve gender equality unless consideration is given to young girls and women.

Shantel Mwikali, one of the panelists, highlighted Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as a major issue for young girls. She also mentioned early pregnancies and period poverty as key challenges faced by girls in remote areas.

“We as adolescent girls face so many challenges that hinder us from accessing quality education and our health rights,” said Mwikali. “Some of the girls have been forced to drop out of school due to early pregnancies.”

According to Kenya Demographic & Health Survey (KDHS) data for 2022, the prevalence of FGM is 15 percent in the country, meaning that 15 percent of girls and women aged 15 to 49 have been circumcised. This is much too high. Yet, progress is being made.

In her opening remarks, Kate Kiama, Director of Programs and Impact at She’s the First, emphasized the organization’s commitment to equipping women with essential skills and certifications to secure a brighter future for girls.

“By building women’s capacity, we ensure a brighter future for girls worldwide,” said Kiama. She also pointed out that discussions on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights are often avoided at the family level, making it difficult for adolescent girls to share their concerns with their parents

She’s the First is a global leader in girls’ education and empowerment, women’s rights; Leadership development; Youth development; Community and economic development; Reproductive health care; International development; Equal opportunity in education

This year the one-day event that brought together 40 grassroots organizations from 235 in 2023 aimed to impact practical training on girl-centered programs and Sexual Reproductive and Health Rights (SRHR) education

“This key event coincides with the launch of the groundbreaking Girls First Institute, designed to equip women leaders with the tools to transform communities and uplift girls, ” said Kiama.

Tina, who was also one of the panels during the one-hour talk added that security, clean water, access to sanitary towels, decent schools, and mental health support are some of the challenges young girls from the rural areas are grappling with.

“Lack of security during school going days have led to some of the girls getting impregnated by the motorcycle people better known as ‘Boda Boda’,” said Tina.

During the one-hour talk, girls with disabilities also shared that they face many barriers when joining programs due to lack of sign language interpreters and lack of access to information. “Communication is a problem when we get into such programs due to lack of sign language interpreters,” said one of the girls with a hearing disability.

“We need to be included in all programs, our families also need to be trained in sign language so that it can be easy for us to communicate with them,” she adds.

Another challenge the girls shared was lack of safe spaces to share and highlight their SRHR rights. “Many girls when faced with feelings, they don’t open up but keep to themselves resulting in anxiety, depression and substance use,” she said. “Parents pay attention to your children; you never know what they are going through.” they reiterated.

One girl added that some donated sanitary towels are not inclusive to the girls with heavy flows. “Some girls have heavy flows and others low; the donors need to put in mind and include sanitary towels that accommodate the girls with heavy flows,” she said.

They called upon authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of sexual offenders are brought to book like the ones who defile girls with disabilities.

She’s the First was founded 15 years ago in New York City and currently operates in East and West Africa, South Asia and Latin America with its headquarters in Nairobi. It is dedicated to a world where every girl can choose her future.

According to Kiama, She’s the First also formally launched the Girls First Institute, offering two certification levels, “Essential” and “Advanced,” to empower organizations and attract new funding opportunities.

“The Institute provides vital skills in girl-centered program design, feminist mentorship, and sexual and reproductive health and rights programming, addressing the lack of affordable, high-quality training for women-led, girl-focused organizations in the Global South,” reiterated Kiama.

“The research findings are compelling,” said Chiagozie Udeh, a representative from UNFPA Geneva, during the training. “They demonstrate a clear link between SRHR and climate change, with the specific intersectionality varying significantly across different countries. Climate change and SRHR are undeniably intertwined, with the specific challenges women face varying greatly depending on where they live.”

This “intersectionality,” as Udeh termed it, was further emphasized by Emmanuel Lekishon, one of the Directors of the Centre for Climate Action, who pointed to the plight of young girls and women in Narok County, Kenya.

“Girls and young women, particularly those from Narok County face unique challenges due to the interplay of climate change and gender inequality,” noted Lekishon while presenting the disproportionality of climate shocks.

Additionally, Dr. Samwel Wakibi a public health researcher and regional expert from the University of Nairobi highlighted that the recent climate shocks in Kenya have made it challenging for women to access reproductive health services.
Dr. Wakibi said that pre-existing gender norms coupled with unfavorable climate change further tilted the  socio-economic marginalization imbalances  while exacerbating gender inequalities.

Speaking on the same issue, Angela Baschiera said, “Women are disproportionately impacted by climate change. There is a rich body of resources that women have poorer access to resources that could help with the adaptation such as land title, irrigation, and financial assets.”

Currently, only 37% of 160 countries recognize that women and men have equal rights to own and control land. The most impacted population should be the cost involved in creating solutions.

The training further underscored the critical role of gender equality in achieving the vision of human-centered sustainable development outlined by the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action (ICPD PoA).

The training also identified specific “hotspots” within Kenya, areas most vulnerable to the combined threats of climate change and gender inequality. Armed with this knowledge, future efforts to adapt could be designed to ensure no woman or girl is left behind in the fight for a brighter tomorrow.

The 40th session of Gender is My Agenda Campaign (GIMAC) emerged as a pivotal platform, galvanizing young feminist advocates into catalysts for societal change. Addressing attendees during the GIMAC youth advocacy training, Doris Munyingi of GROOTs Kenya emphatically stated, “We must allocate 20% of our gross development product to education, ensuring African women and girls access quality learning opportunities.”

Globally, staggering statistics reveal that 32 million girls are deprived of primary education, with an additional 29 million lacking access to lower secondary schooling. Within Africa, these figures hold significant weight, albeit with variations across nations. A UNICEF study underscores that one in three girls on the continent is wed before reaching 18, severely impeding their educational pursuits and future prospects.

Hadjara Harouna, a spirited activist from Niger, lamented, “Despite the advancements of the 21st century, young women continue to confront injustice, inequity, and formidable barriers hindering their educational aspirations.” Harouna emphasized the imperative for the African Union and its member states to prioritize gender parity within educational frameworks.

Echoing these sentiments, Gloria Eboso, an impassioned advocate from Kenya, asserted, “Education serves as the key to unlocking opportunities, enhancing livelihoods, and empowering women to transcend the cycle of poverty.” Eboso urged African governments to facilitate the reintegration of women and girls, in all their capacities, into educational settings to foster both learning and unlearning.

A 2021 UNICEF report underscored the persistent challenge of widespread educational exclusion among African children, with a disproportionate impact on the most marginalized segments of society. Despite incremental progress, many African nations continue to grapple with the task of ensuring universal access to quality education.

“Sílvia Mahumane from Mozambique poignantly observed, “Our African governments must prioritize educational investment. As young girls, we are still on the cusp of accessing quality education, yet it appears we are being left behind.”

The 40th GIMAC deliberated extensively on the intrinsic value of education; however, the African Union remains yet to devise concrete solutions for harnessing the continent’s future human capital. As Africa stands on the precipice of progress, the imperative to invest in education as a cornerstone of sustainable development cannot be overstated.