Kenya’s State Department for Gender in the Ministry of Public Service and Gender has launched the National Policy on Gender and Development (NPGAD). It outlines the national agenda for gender equality with a series of principles to be adopted and integrated into the national and local government sectoral policies, practices and programmes.

The policy will apply specifically and directly to all government ministries, independent bodies, quasi-autonomous entities, departments and agencies both at the national and county levels of government. The principles, strategies and approaches in the policy apply to private sector and civil society. Covering every aspect of socio-economic development, including health, education, land and agriculture, peace and security, the policy seeks to achieve the following objectives:

a)  Facilitate implementation of the Constitution and domesticate the international and regional obligations and commitments that promote gender equality and freedom from discrimination;

b) Provide a framework to integrate and mainstream gender into the National and County Government development planning and budgeting as well as resultant policies, programmes and plans including those of non-state actors;

c) Promote and support the rights-based approach when dealing with gender related matters; and,

d) Define institutional framework and performance indicators for effective tracking, monitoring, evaluation and reporting implementation of gender equality and women empowerment.

UN Women Kenya has provided technical assistance to the State Department for Gender, supporting comprehensive consultations by all relevant stakeholders, including various sector players, to ensure gender dimensions are integrated in sector plans and programmes. Speaking during the digital launch of the Policy on 23 March 2021, UN Women Kenya Country Representative Anna Mutavati welcomed the launch:

“The launch of this Policy is a momentous occasion for Kenya as it provides a sectoral-based national framework, towards attainment of gender equality and women’s empowerment.  It will assist in transforming society into one free from discrimination and allows everyone to have an equal chance of thriving in all spheres of life.”

UN Women Kenya will continue to support the implementation of the NPGAD through supporting sensitization efforts of duty bearers across all levels of governance, as well as advocacy initiatives targeting non-state actors towards increasing accountability for implementation of the policy.