Venue:Canaan Estate Hall, Nyayo Highrise Ward, Nairobi
Theme: Accelerating Action
Organized by:  Kibera Gender Advocacy Network (KGAN)

 

  1. Executive Summary

The International Women’s Day 2025 celebration was held on March 8th at Canaan Estate Hall in Nyayo Highrise Ward, Nairobi County. Hosted by Lang’ata Local Water Forum (LLWF) in collaboration with CICAD Kenya and Convened by Kibera Gender Advocacy Network (KGAN), the event brought together over 400 participants from more than 25 grassroots and community-based organizations, including Garden of Hope, SHOFCO, and Amani Kibera. The globe’s theme being, “Accelerate Action,” emphasized the urgency of advancing gender equality and celebrating women’s achievements across various sectors.

The day began with a Pre-Event Activity: Maternal Outreach at AMREF Health Center in Laini Saba, where expectant mothers were given gift hampers to celebrate their role in the community. This was followed by a Community Procession across the GBV hot spot: To raise awareness and enhance great gender Inclusion and Equality among the residence of Kibera, led by the Blaze Musica Foundation Band. The procession, which passed through key locations in Kibera, including Mashimoni, Lindi, and Silanga, highlighted the importance of gender equality and encouraged collective action within the community with the message ‘Women and girls right are human rights too’. It culminated at Canaan Estate Hall for the main event.

The Main Event featured powerful speeches, performances, and interactive sessions. Notable speakers included Mr. Cyprian Omoding, Chairperson of KGAN, who called for gender equality to be prioritized in community development; Dr. Cliff Ayuko from AMREF Health Africa, who discussed the vital link between health and gender equality; and Mr. Bernard Otieno, CEO of LLWF, who highlighted the intersection of access to clean water and women’s empowerment. Irene Nyaboke from SHOFCO gave an inspiring address, Program Manager from Mirror of CBO, Friend of Love Kibera, MAD Sisters, Pamoja for Transformation, and Government officials urging women to celebrate their daily achievements and calling for accelerated action.

2.Introduction

The International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 celebration, held on March 8th, focused on the theme “Accelerate Action,” underscoring the urgent need for gender equality and empowerment of women across the globe. This annual event serves as a platform to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness on gender equality issues, and advocate for policies that promote the rights and well-being of women in all spheres of life. It highlights the vital role women play in shaping communities and economies, calling for immediate, collective action to address the systemic barriers that hinder their full participation in society.

The event’s key messages were clear: women should be celebrated every day for their contributions, gender equality requires urgent action, and collaboration across communities is essential for creating lasting solutions and change. The diverse range of stakeholders, including Government NGOs, local leaders, and community opinion members, left with a renewed commitment to continue advocating for women’s empowerment.

Looking ahead, the outcomes of the 2025 International Women’s Day celebration shall shape ongoing advocacy campaigns and community initiatives led by KGAN and its member organizations. Plans for stronger partnerships and joint programs focused on gender, health, and youth empowerment are underway, all contributing to the shared vision of a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

3.Event Objectives

  1. To emphasize the urgency of advancing gender equality and the importance of celebrating women’s achievements across various sectors.
  2. To recognize and support the role of women, particularly expectant mothers, in community development through activities like the Maternal Outreach at AMREF Health Center.
  3. To foster collective action and raise awareness on gender equality by engaging community members through the Community Procession: March for Inclusion and Equality.
  4. To promote collaboration among grassroots organizations, local leaders, and community members to advocate for women’s empowerment and gender equality.
  5. To set the foundation for future advocacy campaigns, joint programs, and partnerships that focus on gender equality, health, and youth empowerment, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable society

4.Pre-Event Activity: Maternal Outreach at AMREF Health Center

The day began with a heartfelt maternal appreciation initiative at AMREF Health Center in Laini Saba, Kibera. At 9:00 am, members of the organizing teams, alongside representatives from the Kibera Gender Advocacy Network (KGAN), arrived at the facility. This was the designated starting point for the procession, but before that, a special visit to the maternity ward was planned to show support for the expectant mothers there. The mothers, some already in labor and others who had recently delivered were warmly greeted and presented with thoughtful gift hampers.

Each hamper included a baby basin, a 1kg bar of soap, petroleum jelly, sanitary towels, wet wipes, bathing soap, a lesson, and a pack of 48 Softcare diapers. These gifts were not just practical but served as a symbol of appreciation for their strength and resilience during such an important time in their lives. Faith, a representative from MAD Sisters, took a moment to speak to the women. She offered words of encouragement, acknowledging their courage and thanking them for allowing the KGAN team to share in their experiences. The visit highlighted the significance of maternal health and the ongoing need for accessible healthcare services for women, particularly in underserved communities like Kibera.

  1. Community Procession: March for Inclusion and Equality

The “March for Inclusion and Equality” commenced at AMREF Health Center, with the Blaze Musica Foundation Band leading the way. The procession passed through several key areas in Kibera, including Mashimoni, Lindi, Sunday Studio, Silanga, Undugu, Junction, and Resource Center, before reaching the Canaan Estate Hall, the venue for the main event. This procession served as a significant mobilization effort, raising awareness about gender rights, inclusion, and empowerment in informal urban settlements, amplifying the message of equality and social justice for all.

  1. Main Event Activities

The main event at Canaan Estate Hall presented a comprehensive program that combined various activities, including speeches, stakeholder engagements, performances, and interactive sessions. Each participating organization had the opportunity to showcase their contributions, share impactful community stories, and offer messages that resonated with the day’s theme of gender equality and empowerment. Additionally, the event highlighted cultural expressions such as songs, poetry, and drama, which depicted women’s lived experiences and underscored the urgent need for systemic change. The activities fostered dialogue, highlighted the achievements of women, and called for continued action towards gender equity in the community. The engagement of diverse organizations and the rich cultural performances created an inclusive environment, ensuring the event was both impactful and memorable.

Participating organizations included:


LLWF, Garden of Hope, ETCO, SPEC, Elevate Her, Amani Kibera, SHOFCO, Etsirbella Scholarship, Mirror of Hope, MAD Sisters, Beacon of Hope, CREAW, MRH, Hope Worldwide Kenya, Kioo Cha Jamii, Pamoja for Transformation, Umande Trust, Edmund Rice Centre, CICAD, Mental 360, KCER, March on the Planet, Andolo Bridge, Vumilia for the Disabled, Friends of Love Kibera, and Action Network for the Disabled.

  1. Key Facilitators and Notable Speakers
  2. Mr. Cyprian Omoding – Chairperson, Kibera Gender Advocacy Network (KGAN)
    officially opened the event with a compelling keynote on the need to prioritize gender equality in community development Agenda. He emphasized the importance of collaborative, inclusive action to address structural barriers limiting women’s full participation. He also celebrated the gender responsive milestone already achieve in government and other institutions in Kenya.
  3. Dr. Cliff Ayuko – AMREF Health Africa

Dr. Ayuko shared expert insights on the critical link between health and gender equality. He shed light on the significant health challenges women in informal settlements face, especially in areas like maternal and reproductive health. In his speech, he emphasized the urgent need for stronger policy enforcement, raising awareness, and making targeted investments in healthcare services that focus on women’s needs. Dr. Ayuko’s message was clear: achieving true gender equality means ensuring that women have access to the healthcare they deserve, and that starts with addressing these pressing health issues head-on.

  1. Mr. Bernard Otieno – CEO, Langata Local Water Forum


Mr. Otieno played a key role in making the event a success by bringing together various organizations under one umbrella. In his address, he reflected on the vital connection between access to clean water and the empowerment of women and girls. He emphasized that without basic resources, women are often held back from reaching their full potential. Mr. Otieno called for stronger community collaboration to remove these barriers and create an environment where women can thrive and lead.

  1. Ms. Irene Nyaboke – Gender Officer, SHOFCO
    Ms. Nyaboke delivered a moving address that celebrated the everyday victories of women. She urged participants to recognize their power and resilience, stating:

“Women must celebrate themselves daily—not only for what they achieve but for the hope they inspire in others. Real change begins with us, and we must all accelerate action for an equal society.”

  1. Key Messages and Stakeholder Takeaways
  2. Celebrate Women Every Day: Women’s contributions to society should be acknowledged every day, not just on International Women’s Day. Their strength, resilience, and impact deserve ongoing recognition and celebration.
  3. The Need for Immediate Action on Gender Equality: Achieving gender equality is urgent and requires collective action. It’s a challenge that must be addressed now, with the efforts of individuals, communities, and organizations working together to create equal opportunities for all.
  4. The Power of Collaboration: Real change happens when we work together. Building strong partnerships between grassroots organizations, local leaders, and the community is key to breaking down barriers and making lasting improvements.
  5. Health is Key to Equality: Ensuring women have access to quality healthcare, especially in maternal and reproductive health, is vital for achieving gender equality. Without this foundation, true empowerment is not possible.
  6. Basic Resources Empower Women: Access to essential resources like clean water is crucial to empowering women. When women have what they need to live healthily and sustainably, they are better equipped to lead and contribute to their communities.
  7. Conclusion and Way Forward

The 2025 International Women’s Day celebrations reaffirmed the collective commitment of grassroots organizations, local leaders, and civil society actors to gender equality and social justice. Moving forward, the event outcomes will inform ongoing advocacy campaigns, policy dialogue sessions, and community-based interventions led by KGAN member organizations. Plans are also underway to strengthen inter-organizational collaboration through joint programs focusing on gender, health, and youth empowerment.

The call to action remains: Accelerate efforts, expand reach, and deepen impact because gender equality cannot wait.