On 2^nd February 2023, KEPSA met with the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action, Hon. Aisha Jumwa as part of the ongoing consultative meetings for beginning working engagements with the new administration.

The Cabinet Secretary was accompanied by the Principal Secretary for Gender, Ms. Veronicah Nduva, Technical Advisor Ms. Faith Kasiva, and Communications Advisor Dr. Daniel Mwaringa, while the KEPSA delegation was led by the Gender SB Vice-chair Ms. Mercy Okiro, KEPSA Gender and SMEs Director Ms. Eva Muraya, and the Head of Public-Private Dialogue, Ms. Agatha Juma and members of the Gender Sector Board.

The meeting discussions focused on the Government’s plans on gender equality, women empowerment and the role of the private sector in complementing the government's efforts towards inclusive economic growth.

In her remarks, Hon. CS Jumwa expressed her commitment to working with the private sector in the delivery of the key priorities the government has set on gender equality and women empowerment as directed in executive order 1 of 2023, and as anchored in the Medium Term Plan (MTP) 1V and Women Agenda of the government blue print.

CS Jumwa highlighted the following top three priority areas of focus for her ministry;

1. Women empowerment; the government is committed to investing in tailor-made solutions such as subsidized credit through Uwezo Fund, Women Enterprises Fund, and ‘Hustler Fund’; and support services at the bottom of the pyramid for inclusive economic growth.
2. Fighting Gender Based Violence (GBV) and ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the country. The slight improvement in the practice of FGM in the country from 21% to 15% as per the 2022 Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) calls for strengthening concerted efforts from all players towards eliminating the retrogressive cultural practices and establishment of safe shelters for the GBV survivors across the country.
3. Strengthening women in leadership towards actualization and implementation of two-thirds gender parity. She challenged the private sector to continue strengthening the board diversity initiative to empower more women to take leadership positions.

The meeting agreed on quarterly Ministerial Stakeholders Forums and roundtable meetings with regard to advancing various areas of collaboration as outlined below;

1. Awareness creation sessions to champion the actualization and implementation of the two-third Gender Rule;

1. Financial and capacity-building support for women to benefit from the tailor-made funds for women-led
2. Capacity building of the marginalized group to benefit from the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) program by government institutions and supplier diversity among the private entities
3. Strengthening adoption and implementation of GBV policy such as championing the ratification of the ILO Convention No. 190, Recommendation No. 206, and the accompanying Resolution on Eliminating Violence and Harassment in the World of Work.
4. Gender mainstreaming of the government projects such as the allocation of quotas for the marginalized group in the supply chain, labor, and allocation of the affordable houses

The Cabinet Secretary and KEPSA leaders present reaffirmed their commitment towards collaborative efforts in achieving the gender agenda and towards a thriving business environment.