The newly appointed Chief Administrative Secretary for the State Department for Gender, Hon. Dr. Linah Jebii Kilimo, on 3rd March, 2021 held an induction session with the State Department’s management team led by the Principal Secretary, Prof. Collette Suda at Telposta Towers.
In her remarks, Hon. Dr. Kilimo promised to work closely with the management to amplify the voice of GEWE particularly at the grassroots where it needed to be appreciated the most. She emphasised on the need to employ multi-disciplinary approaches, including cultural and scholarly knowledge, in the mainstreaming of gender policies in the socio-political fabric of our society.
The Chief Administrative Secretary said the State Department will work closely with all the multi-agency teams to eliminate harmful practices including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Gender Based Violence (GBV).
“We have to know the needs of the citizens and what we need to do in delivering standard services as a Government. The challenges of resources we can overcome as we take the first step to deliver on the Big4 Agenda,” Hon. Kilimo said.
On her part, Prof. Suda welcomed the Chief Administrative Secretary into the State Department and assured her of unreserved support by the leadership and implementation teams in delivering the department’s mandate on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE).
The Principal Secretary noted that gender equality is a journey that requires a lot of political support, collaboration and partnership with development partners and other actors.
“No country can claim one hundred percent success on matters gender equality. We must keep strengthening our resolve and effort as GEWE remains work in progress,” she reiterated.
Prof. Suda also noted the new challenge occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic which has threatened to claw back the progress and the gains made in achieving Gender Equality in the Country.
In attendance were the Gender Secretary, Ms. Faith Kasiva, Anti-FGM Board CEO, Ms. Bernadette Loloju, Women Enterprise Fund CEO, Eng. Charles Mwirigi and the managers of the various Gender Directorates.