Happy International Women’s Day 2024! Today, we unite in championing the #inspireinclusion of women across all facets of life—be it economic empowerment, talent development, decision-making, infrastructure development, healthcare choices, sustainable agriculture and food choices, education, arts & creative promotion, and leadership and governance. Embracing this holistic vision creates a more inclusive and equitable world for all.

Reflecting on the transformative strides taken, a pivotal Business Daily report in November 2021 spotlighted a survey conducted by esteemed organizations such as Kenya Institute of Management (KIM), Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), and New Faces New Voices (NFNV). The survey revealed a threefold increase in the representation of women in Kenyan boardrooms and executive suites over the past decade. While substantial progress has been made, achieving parity still necessitates ongoing efforts. Board diversity and inclusion surged from 12% in 2012 to an encouraging 36% in 2021. Notably, women’s representation in leadership roles, standing at 37%, has soared from 26% in 2017, surpassing the global average of 21%.

While acknowledging these significant milestones, there remains an imperative to strive for a genuinely diverse, equal, and inclusive representation of women in leadership and governance. The Constitution of Kenya, the cornerstone of our legal framework, mandates in Article 27 the right to equal treatment and opportunities for women while outlawing discrimination. Admittedly, this might not fully reflect in all spaces, especially in rural and marginalized areas, where women and girls are often devoid of knowledge, access, or a voice to advocate for their rights.

As governance professionals, it is crucial to avoid tokenism and instead underscore the inherent value that female directors bring to boardrooms. Female directors actively bolster board independence, meticulously prepare for meetings, and fearlessly voice critical queries, contributing to a more unbiased decision-making process. Research emphasizes that corporate boards with greater gender diversity yield higher performance and enhanced returns for organizations.

Addressing equality, we must acknowledge that achieving a 50:50 gender balance in boardrooms and leadership roles may take time. Consequently, organizations need to instate proactive workplace policies that facilitate the career progression of high-performing women towards senior executive roles, making them viable contenders for CEO positions, non-executive directorships, and eventually, chairperson roles.

Inclusion of women demands fostering a workplace culture that ensures women feel an essential part of the system, nurturing a sense of belonging and empowerment. When women are actively included and inspired, they exude a profound sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.

Collectively, let’s forge a more inclusive and equitable world for women, celebrating #IWD2024 with a genuine commitment to fostering real, tangible inclusion of women in all spheres of life.

Let us commemorate #IWD2024, recognizing that the inclusion of women isn’t merely a hashtag, but a practice that enriches the greater good.