The Government commits at ensuring gender equality in sports during International Women’s day

Sports Cabinet Secretary Dr Amina Mohamed has affirmed her commitment in support of efforts aimed at promoting fight against gender-based violence, plus make sport safer and more inclusive.

Speaking on Tuesday at a Nairobi hotel while attending the celebration of International Women’s Day ,the CS urged leaders and Kenyans at large to work together in building legal and policy frameworks that will ensure the protection of women and the realisation of equality in gender representation in the sports,political and corporate worlds.

“In sports, we are revising decades-long practices that have ingrained inequality in the sector. We are in the process of implementing recommendations from the Committee of Gender Welfare Report led by Catherine Ndereba that was formed under directives of H.E. the President,” she said.

A report by a committee appointed in July last year reveals that gender inequality is rampant in Kenyan sports.

Providing a snippet of the Gender and Welfare in Sports committee report, Amina said these disparities, majorly against female sportspersons, relate to issues, such as sports management, remuneration, media coverage, and funding of activities.

“They gave us their findings, which include well-detailed reports of gender-based discrimination against females in the sports industry. Among the issues highlighted include disparities in remuneration of male and female coaches, players, referees and in the composition of federations and technical benches,” noted the CS

During Agnes Tirop Conference held in January 17-21 in Diani, Kwale,Amina expressed optimism that gender disparities —as well as other issues affecting sports — will be thoroughly thrashed out.

The three-day conference had been named after the 2015 World Cross Country champion who was found murdered in October last year at her Iten home in Elgeyo Marakwet county. 

Gender equality in sport means breaking down the harmful stereotypes that continue to make women less likely to take up sporting activities. It also means promoting women’s advancement as professional athletes and leaders in the sport sector.

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