Iranian Embassy Engages in Strategic Dialogue on Education and Women Empowerment

In a landmark diplomatic engagement aimed at fostering inclusive development, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran has launched a strategic partnership with Kenyan stakeholders to promote education and empower women and marginalised communities across the country.

The strategic dialogue, held at the Commission’s headquarters in Nairobi, was chaired by NGEC Chairperson Hon. Rehema Jaldesa. It brought together members of the Commission and its Secretariat to deliberate on joint initiatives aligning with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Dr Pourmarjan, widely acknowledged for his dedication to academic advancement, announced renewed support from the Iranian government in the form of expanded scholarship programmes targeting vulnerable Kenyan learners. These initiatives are aimed at improving access to quality education, particularly for those in underserved regins.

“Education is the gateway to opportunity. Through scholarships and structured training, we can uplift communities and create sustainable change,” stated Dr Pourmarjan during his address.

According to embassy officials, the scholarship opportunities will prioritise young women and learners from remote counties who face systemic barriers in accessing higher education. The Embassy also expressed interest in facilitating exchange programmes and academic linkages between Kenyan institutions and universities in Iran.

Further discussions explored the development of tailored training forums for women, with a focus on entrepreneurship, leadership, and vocational skills.

These forums are envisioned as a catalyst for inclusion, offering tools for self-reliance and economic independence.

Stakeholders highlighted the alignment of the initiative with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 5 (Gender Equality).

Hon. Jaldesa underscored the importance of partnerships in addressing social inequalities and enhancing capacity among special interest groups.

“Such engagements are not only timely but essential. They speak directly to the heart of inclusive development and affirm the need for global cooperation in addressing local realities,” she said.

Participants included gender advocates, educationists, policymakers, and members of civil society, all of whom echoed the need for sustained investment in education and gender equity as fundamental pillars of national development.

This diplomatic dialogue builds on previous cultural and educational collaborations between Kenya and Iran and reflects a growing emphasis on soft diplomacy through people-centred initiatives. Dr Pourmarjan reaffirmed Iran’s interest in continuing to support Kenyan communities, noting that cultural diplomacy offers an effective platform for mutual understanding and shared progress.

The engagement signals a new chapter in international collaboration, one that places education and gender empowerment at the forefront of transformative diplomacy.