Kenya: Kenya Forest Service participated in the National Conference for Women in the Security Sector. Thee event was hosted with the aim of improving women participation in security initiatives of Kenya.
The women stakeholders from all the major sectors of the country an event will be able to provide their feedback at the event. The officials have shared that the event is a significant step towards gender equality in Kenya’s security agencies.
The conference is working hard towards addressing challenges faced by the women in traditionally male-dominated fields.
The event was attended by Soipan Tuya. Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Defence, as the Guest of Honor. She delivered a brief address during the conference. Here CS Tuya emphasized the need to increase recruitment, training, retention, and advancement of women in security agencies.
She asked the authorities to introduce innovative ways to attract more women into these roles. She also encouraged women in the sector to be their authentic selves. She announced, “You don’t need to be men to succeed.”
Ambassador Dr. Monica Juma, National Security Advisor to the President also delivered a keynote address at the conference. In her speech, she said the conference was an opportunity to pay tribute to past trailblazers while charting a path for future generations.
Dr. Juma asked stakeholders to come up with a people-centered approach to security. She also highlighted the importance of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda.
She urged women across the nation to be norm-setters in defining the future of security.
A highlight of the conference was a presentation by Assistant Commandant Jennifer Wachira from the Kenya Forest Service, who provided a compelling overview of women’s inclusion in KFS over the years.
Wachira reported that the first four female rangers were employed in 1996, though initially, women were not allowed to advance beyond the rank of Sergeant.
KFS was represented by its female officers; SP Jacqueline M Munene, CIP Winnie Gichogoh and Conservator II Amina Osman. Their presence underscored KFS’ commitment to promoting gender diversity within the ranks and recognizing the unique contributions of women in forest conservation and management.