NGEC Drives Legal Reform Agenda for Gender Equality at KLRC Roundtable

At a crucial roundtable convened by the Kenya Law Reform Commission (KLRC) recently, the Commission took center stage, championing the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to eradicate gender-based discrimination entrenched in Kenya’s laws.

Held at the Norfolk Hotel, the meeting brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including UN Women, the Law Society of Kenya,and representatives from the Office of the Attorney General. This gathering underscored a collective commitment to refining Kenya’s legal landscape to ensure it aligns with constitutional guarantees of gender equality and freedom from discrimination.

The Commission emphasized that while Kenya’s legal framework contains numerous provisions aimed at advancing gender equality, substantial gaps persist, hindering the realization of equitable rights for women and girls.

According to a recent legal assessment conducted by the Kenya Law Reform Commission (KLRC), International Development Law Organization (IDLO), and UN Women, discriminatory practices continue to surface across critical areas of life, such as family law, inheritance, political participation, employment, and sexual and reproductive health rights.

Notable statutes under review included the Law of Succession Act, Marriage Act, Children Act, and various other laws that impact women’s and girls’ rights in direct and often harmful ways.

The discussions highlighted a critical need for reform in areas like marriage and family law, where outdated provisions still undermine women’s rights to inheritance, and in employment laws that inadequately address gender-based violence in the workplace.

NGEC also stressed the urgency of implementing Kenya’s constitutional mandate for gender-responsive budgeting and the two-thirds gender rule to achieve meaningful gender balance in public service.

A key outcome of the roundtable was a set of actionable recommendations aimed at dismantling systemic barriers.

These include advocating for the repeal and amendment of discriminatory laws, launching extensive public education campaigns to foster understanding of gender equality, and promoting community-level awareness to combat cultural stereotypes.

Recognizing the intersectionality of law with social norms, NGEC urged for policies that incorporate cultural and religious perspectives to ensure the laws are inclusive and widely accepted.

The roundtable underscored the role of collaboration, with NGEC pledging to support state and non-state actors through technical assistance and social accountability initiatives. It also highlighted the commission's intent to push for the effective enforcement of gender equality provisions in laws governing land, labor, and public life, to secure lasting social transformation.

By the close of the meeting, the Commission’s message was unequivocal: achieving gender equality requires a unified, multi-sectoral approach.

With law reform as a cornerstone, NGEC and its partners are constantly committed to building a legal framework that genuinely upholds the rights and freedoms of all Kenyans, reinforcing the nation’s path towards equitable and inclusive governance.

Stakeholders, including NGEC, UN Women, the Law Society of Kenya, and the Office of the Attorney General, during the Kenya Law Reform Commission’s roundtable, advocating for gender equality and legal reforms at the Norfolk Hotel.