STATE DEPARTMENT OF GENDER AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION SEEKS TO INCORPORATE WOMEN RISE INITIATIVE FINDINGS INTO THE KENYA NATIONAL CARE POLICY

By Bruno Aero 

State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action Secretary Gender Dr. Josephine Obonyo (2R), Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communication Dean Prof. Nancy Booker, International Development Research Centre Global Health Director Montasser Kamal with African Population and Health Research Centre Executive Director Dr. Catherine Kyobutungi during the Women RISE end- of- project meeting aimed at understanding the intersection between women’s health and their paid or unpaid work within COVID-19 contexts.

The State Department of Gender and Affirmative Action has sought to incorporate the findings of the Women RISE initiative to the Kenya National Care Policy which seeks to address the longstanding issue of unpaid domestic and care work predominantly performed by women and girls.

The Women RISE initiative has over the last three years fostered action-oriented, gender-transformative research to explore the link between women’s health and their paid or unpaid work within COVID-19 contexts. The initiative had 23 research teams from Africa, Latin America and Asia with Canadian Partner Institutions and managed by African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) and Graduate School of Media and Communications, Aga Khan University

Speaking during the opening of the end of project workshop, the State Department of Gender and Affirmative Action, Secretary Gender Dr. Josephine Obonyo said that despite the triple threats of climate change, conflict, and COVID-19 slowing progress on gender equality, the commitment to improving women's rights remains strong.

“Findings from initiatives like Women RISE are crucial in advancing long-term, unwavering support for transformative change. We must seize every opportunity to propel women toward equality, shift attitudes and perceptions, and highlight their contributions while embedding gender equality into policy and practice. The insights gained today will significantly inform the National Care Policy, which is awaiting Cabinet approval and seeks to recognize, redistribute, and fairly compensate care work while challenging traditional gender roles,” she said.

The Time Use Survey 2021 report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics indicates that women spend at least 3 hours and 36 minutes more than their male counterparts per day on unpaid care and domestic work which has significant impact on women’s physical, mental and economic well-being; limiting their access to healthcare, increasing stress and fatigue.

“The Covid-19 pandemic unearthed and amplified work burdens on women which has had an impact on their health. This research has provided catalysing results that will drive decision making which will lead to transformative change. As an African institution leading a global initiative with partners across the world, we are proud to have brought together this global consortium,” said Catherine Kyobutungi, Executive Director, APHRC.

Of the 23 research teams, the four projects in Kenya align with the thematic areas prioritized by the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action on economic empowerment of women, promoting access to quality health and gender equality.

“As Aga Khan University, our role in supporting the documentation and highlighting the work the research teams have been doing has been profound. We have been helping to deconstruct the research by making it palatable for different stakeholders in the various geographies and documenting the research work which provides great credibility to the work that has been done. This has made it easier to disseminate the findings and ultimately enlighten the public on the knowledge that has implicated in this research,” said Prof Nancy Booker, Dean Graduate School of Media and Communications, Aga Khan University

Women RISE emphasizes knowledge mobilization, capacity building, and networking to ensure impactful outcomes.

“Funding scientific cross-sectorial collaboration and evidence is important in advancing policies based on evidence. This initiative has been imperative in providing context-specific solutions when it comes to the interface between women's health and work, both paid and unpaid pre and post the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Montasser Kamal, Director of Global Health, IDRC.

ABOUT THE FOUR KENYAN RESEARCH TEAMS

Four Kenyan projects aligned with the State Department of Gender and Affirmative Action's priorities, including economic empowerment, access to quality healthcare, and promoting gender equality:

● Women RISE Together Across the Life Course (Kisumu): Implemented by COHESU Community Health Support Program, the County Health Department, and the University of Waterloo, this project explores how the pandemic has impacted women’s health and work, advocating for gender-responsive pandemic preparedness.

● Post-COVID-19 Recovery through Agricultural Cooperatives (Kiambu, Kajiado, Taita Taveta): A collaboration between the Co-operative University of Kenya and the University of the Fraser Valley, this project empowers women through agricultural cooperatives.

● Chamas for Change (Trans Nzoia): Spearheaded by Moi University College of Health Science and the University of British Columbia, this initiative employs a gender-responsive, microfinance-based approach to strengthen women’s resilience to health emergencies.

● Women in Health during Emergency Preparedness and Response – WHEELER (Kilifi): Led by Aga Khan University and the University of Manitoba, this project examines the economic, equity, and livelihood status of women in health during emergencies.