KEPSA launches first private sector gender mainstreaming policy

NAIROBI, KENYA, March 25 – Kenya can increase its GDP by twenty to thirty percent by investing in women, closing the gender finance gap, and encouraging female-led entrepreneurship.

According to the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), putting policies in place that encourage women entrepreneurs and expanding women access to capital and networks will help them realize their entrepreneurial dreams.

Chairperson KEPSA, Flora Mutahi said the policy developed with support from the Mastercard Foundation, aims to offer guidance to companies and organizations seeking to optimize gender equality and women empowerment initiatives.

“The formulation of this policy demonstrates the private sector’s commitment to ensuring that gender mainstreaming is integral to the policies and operations of an organization. It is therefore imperative to ensure that no one is left behind in this quest for sustainable growth and development.” said Mutahi.

Mutahi said that bridging the gender pay gap was also an important intervention area to reverse the income inequality between men and women, noting that women make only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men.

“Other areas the private sector can strengthen include the commitment to supplier diversity programs that support the growth and jobs of small and diverse businesses owned by women and youth. Research has shown that companies with a supplier diversity program generate a 33% greater return-on investment.” said Mutahi.

The launch, which was part of the two-week observance activities of the sixty-sixth session of the UN Women, Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 66), under the theme of Women Economic Empowerment in the Changing World of Work, was witnessed by  Jebii Kilimo, and Rachel Shebesh, Chief Administrative Secretaries (CAS) in the Ministry of Gender, Public Service, SeniorCitizens Affairs and Special Programmes.

In her keynote address, Linah Jebii Kilimo, said there was need to promote women entry and advancement in the job market by investing in care infrastructure services while strengthening education training and skills.

“The difference in labour force participation can be attributed above all to women’s disproportionate share of unpaid care and domestic work." The importance of robust legislative and policy frameworks is therefore critical to provide a foundation for implementing relevant programmes and interventions for women’s empowerment and the economic growth of a country.” Kilimo said.

Mucha Mlingo Chairperson KEPSA Gender Sector Board said KEPSA has adopted the promotion of gender equality and women empowerment as central to its mandate of supporting the private sector in finding solutions to socio-economic challenges that impact on business.

The policy lists seven points and recommendations for gender mainstreming, including to promote the transformation of corporate and business culture where women and marginalized groups will be empoewered for business and leadership work force, prevention of GBV and sexual harassment by adopting an anti-GBV and sexual harassment policy at the workplace, in addition to the promotion of gender awareness in policies, programs, projects, and services that respond to the different needs of women and men, implementation of gender-responsive budgeting and resourcing as well as set clear targets, measurements, reporting and communication procedures for collecting and analyzing gender-related data to contribute to sustainable outcomes.

Rachael Shebesh, who made the closing remarks, said the Ministry shall continue to partner with KEPSA, including sharing of information and best practices such as gender-friendly facilities at the workplace, among other initiatives.

The Private Sector Gender Mainstreaming Policy is guided by the principles of gender diversity and inclusion and recognizes that the private sector’s policies, programs, and initiatives ought to contribute to the realization of gender equality in Kenya.