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.’

During the workshop, Samuel Makau, Coordinator of the Coalition for Health Research and Development (CHReaD), emphasized the critical need for health experts in Kenya to understand the national budgeting process better to advocate more effectively for Research and Development (R&D).

“Health experts must learn about the budgeting process in Kenya to better advocate for research and development,” Makau stated, stressing the importance of aligning expertise with fiscal strategy.

Echoing this sentiment, Catriona Mumuli, the Advocacy, Policy, and Communications Associate, from the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) said, “This workshop is so timely because it will help research experts appreciate the advocacy process in Kenya.”

Mumuli also pointed out the shifting landscape in the country, adding, “It’s critical for Kenya to increase its budget for research and development as times are changing.”

Retrospectively, Maureen Awuor from AMREF underscored the need for a deeper understanding of how R&D budgets are structured, stressing that Kenya should aim to meet the goals outlined in the Abuja Declaration.

“Understanding the budget for research and development remains essential,” Awuor said, referring to the 2001 commitment by African nations to allocate at least 15% of their annual budgets to the health sector.

Despite optimism in Research and Development, Imali Ngusale, the Technical Lead from the African Center For Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA)  flagged concerns that highlighted potential risks that could impede health milestones if research is not considered as a priority. 

Ngusale said,” CHREAD’s focus on healthcare advocacy should prioritize budget allocations for the upcoming FY2025/26.”

Accordingly, Abraham Otieno from Bajetu Hub said that the budget process in Kenya is a cyclic process and the coalition’s inclusive approach needs to be intentional to shape the budget allocation process. 

The CHREAD coalition continues to fuel her new appetite for budget advocacy. The increase in Research and Development investments in Kenya will likely be because of the collective efforts and promises that will enhance accountability, ensure public participation, and create fiscal policies that truly serve the people.