“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 Challenge: A Healthcare Workforce Gap

Despite significant strides, Africa faces a significant shortage of qualified healthcare professionals, particularly laboratory personnel. There is an indelible lack of trained individuals and this creates disparities in access to essential diagnostic services, a violation of the right to health. Of particular concern is the continent’s dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Without a robust healthcare workforce to effectively utilize advanced diagnostics, these life-saving tools become blunt instruments in the fight against Africa’s unique health challenges. Early detection and diagnosis are crucial for tackling both infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and chronic illnesses like diabetes and cancer. Only by prioritizing investment in healthcare education and training can we bridge this critical gap and ensure equitable access to quality care for all Africans.

Investing in the Next Generation: A Human Rights Imperative

The solution for the next generation lies in empowering young Africans with the knowledge and skills to navigate science and healthcare spheres. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) data from 2023 and 2024, Africa faces an acute deficit of doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel, with the region accounting for only 3% of the global health workforce, despite carrying 24% of the global disease burden. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for sustained efforts to address the healthcare workforce gap and also entice the next generation of Africans to embrace care giving as a career. By prioritizing equal access to quality education, particularly in science fields, we can cultivate a workforce capable of delivering life-saving services. This isn’t just about a shortage of medicine or hospitals; it’s about a critical void in the ranks of healthcare professionals. The solution isn’t a band-aid; it’s a long-term commitment to empowering young Africans with the tools they need to become the doctors, nurses, and scientists of tomorrow.

Collaboration is Key

Public-private partnerships, along with strong government policies, can elevate diagnostics’ importance and empower future generations. These collaborative efforts will showcase how access to reliable testing and a skilled workforce are fundamental to building healthier African communities. The Kenyan government must endeavor to prioritize the welfare of all health workers. The onus lies not just with private entities, but with governments as well. Through strategic investments in healthcare infrastructure, training programs, and scholarship opportunities, governments can nurture the talent needed to bridge the healthcare worker gap. Additionally, policy changes can incentivize public-private partnerships, fostering a collaborative environment conducive to innovation and progress. Ultimately, robust healthcare systems are the cornerstone of a truly “Africa Fit for the 21st Century.”

No longer willing to live in fear, the feminist sisters painted a poignant portrait of loss Kenya has witnessed in the recent past. The girls and young women painstakingly remarked how femicide had etched a perennial fear in their daily lives. Their pain palpable, a collective for sisters brutally silenced by untimely death. Femicide, they cried, wasn’t just a statistic; it was a shadow cast upon their mental well-being, a constant threat that choked their dreams and stole their sense of safety.

Grief hung heavy in the air, but amidst the pain, a fire of resilience burned brightly. Nancy Barasa, a young feminist from Zamara Foundation, spoke for countless others when she declared, “My right to life is not a debate!” Her defiant words echoed across the room, igniting an unyielding demand for justice.

Joining the chorus of voices were Pauline Nabwire of Polycom and Bernice Dodoo from Ghana joined their voices to the symphony of advocacy. Dodoo passionately stated, “Women’s rights are human rights, and women’s lives deserve to be respected.” She further urged everyone to join in raising their voices and demanding justice, envisioning a society where a woman’s right to live is treated with the same reverence as a fundamental human right.

Accordingly, Sarah Ouma, from Slum Dwellers International Kenya, expressed her longing for a society where she is free to just be, emphasizing the need for a space where women can thrive without the looming threat of violence.

Finally, Esther Nyawira, FEMNET’s She Leads Pan African coordinator, issued an unapologetic call to action, stating, “We are unapologetic when we say stop killing women, stop killing girls. Lives have been lost but justice seems to be delayed.”

Nyawira urged policymakers to fulfil their promises and bring femicide perpetrators to justice, demanding tangible action to ensure the safety of girls and young women in Kenya.

These young voices, united in purpose, declared that the time for change is now. Their fight for justice has begun, and this rally is just the first step in their mission to guarantee a future where girls and young women can live without fear.

The aforementioned was in memory of Juliet Naeku, Florence Kaari, Sheila Jepkemboi, Beth Wanjiku, Elizabeth Kaara and in honor of the other femicide victims who have never given an opportunity to speak for themselves.

The call for investigations comes on the heels of politically charged protests that have gripped Kenya, leaving citizens in fear. In response, the opposition has pledged to persist with the Maandamano protests unless the Kenyan government, led by the Kenya Kwanza administration, addresses the citizens’ demands.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, speaking on behalf of the opposition, asserted the legality of the protests, citing constitutional and international human rights law. Despite facing brutal police force, Sifuna announced the continuation of the Maandamano protests from July 17th to 19th, stressing that President William Ruto must heed the people’s voices.

The aftermath of the protests reveals a grim reality: several families in Mlolongo, Kitengela, and Emali are mourning the loss of loved ones, while over ten individuals are nursing gunshot wounds. Particularly distressing is the news that 50 pupils from New Kihumbuni primary school are recovering from respiratory infections caused by teargas during the protests, as confirmed by Dr. Aron Shikuku, the owner of Eagle Nursing Home hospital.

In response, Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Administration of National Government, Professor Kithuri Kindiki, condemned the Maandamano protests, warning of arrests for anyone participating. Kindiki emphasized an end to the “culture of impunity” and affirmed the government’s commitment to apprehend and prosecute those involved.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Onesimus Murkomen echoed Kindiki’s sentiments, cautioning against normalizing violence and vandalism under the pretext of exercising political rights. He emphasized the government’s intolerance for violent protests and supported Kindiki’s stance on maintaining law and order.

As the Kenyan government takes a stern stance against the ongoing protests, the international community watches closely to see whether the Kenya Kwanza administration will yield to the UN Human Rights Commission’s plea for accountability and justice in the wake of the unrest.

Despite this persistent hurdle, a gathering in Nairobi this week pulsated with the optimism and determination of young women from 13 African nations. They came together to celebrate the Maputo Protocol’s potential while holding governments accountable for unfulfilled promises.

“The future of African girls and young women is now,” declared Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie, the African Union Special Rapporteur on the Right of Women in Africa. “We cannot afford to wait. Their time for inclusion in policy has arrived.”

Sallah-Njie emphasized the crucial role of girls and young women in shaping their own lives and futures, pointing out that the Maputo Protocol was crafted with them in mind. This sentiment resonated with Hawanatu Mansaray, Program Manager at Defence for Children Sierra Leone, who urged women to “own the leadership space” to ensure their voices are heard.

However, claiming rights requires knowing them. As Felicity Fekele, a young #SheLeads champion from Ethiopia, passionately stated, “To claim our rights, we must first know our rights!” She challenged the use of statistics to objectify girls and young women, demanding active engagement with policies and a refusal to be silenced.

Bina Maseno, a renowned political figure and gender specialist, echoed this sentiment, calling the Maputo Protocol “not just a document, but a vital policy that opened doors for women’s inclusion in Africa’s development.” She challenged African heads of state to honor their commitments by fully ratifying and implementing the protocol.

This is not merely a call for words, but for action. The voices of these young women, amplified through the #ISpeak4Myself hashtag, reverberated across the continent, demanding tangible progress. The next chapter of the Maputo Protocol story is being written now, and its authors are determined to claim their rightful place in a future where their rights are respected and their potential unleashed.

The forum’s unwavering focus: to eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls by 2030. Representatives from Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Togo joined forces, sharing their diverse experiences and strategies.

Fatomata Djire, Vice Chair of FEMNET’s West Africa region, delivered a stark message: “The magnitude and prevalence of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Africa demands immediate action.” Despite legal instruments like the “Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG)” existing, harmful practices persist. “Women,” Djire emphasized, “must stand together and fight for their freedom.”

Echoing this sentiment, Abdramane Coulibaly, Project Manager for EVAWG at UN Women, Mali, declared, “Efforts towards eliminating violence against women need to be amplified.” He highlighted the collective nature of this struggle, stating that “GBV’s ramifications impact entire communities, necessitating collective action.”

Jill Anami, FEMNET’s SRHR Officer, further emphasized the need for collective action at all levels. “African countries,” she asserted, “must urgently implement and accelerate efforts towards eliminating violence against women and girls. Regional and global bodies must prioritize and promote policies that safeguard against SGBV and harmful practices for all.”

SGBV manifests in various forms – sexual, physical, emotional, financial, and economic. Linda Fremah of Substantial Ladies in Governance, Ghana, called for robust safeguarding policies within institutions to protect women and girls from discrimination, sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse. Fremah also urged governments and donors to continue funding SRHR-promoting policies for effective implementation across West Africa.

Despite pledges to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 5 by numerous corporate institutions, governments, and key stakeholders, concerns linger regarding the lack of robust accountability measures to combat GBV.

The forum highlighted the significant gap in women’s engagement in policy formulation and implementation. Yet, a resounding conviction resonated throughout the event – that African women are determined to continue their fight for freedom and liberation. This determination is crucial to realizing key SRHR policies like the Maputo Plan of Action.

The Women’s Forum was a poignant and powerful event. It resonated deeply with the realities African women face, but also affirmed their collective strength and refusal to be relegated to second-class status. The collective voices of these women are transformative and catalytic, driving the continental feminist agenda and promoting women’s rights across Africa.