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Pomp and colour at inaugural Inspirational Women of the Year awards 2014

Friday March 7, 2014, on the eve of the International Women’s day, at the Hilton Hotel Nairobi, history was unfolding; the ballroom was filled to capacity, 49 honourees of the first ever inspirational women of the year awards trooped into the hall, resplendent in their dinner attire with a matching purple colour reinforcing the theme of the day ‘ Inspiring change’. Some from as far as Mandera , Wajir, Homabay and Turkana Counties could not hide their joy as they made their way to the reserved tables in the five star hotel waiting to be crowned Inspirational women of the year 2014.

The Tamasha entertainment troupe belted out a remix of golden oldies and a blend of new age hits, the excitement in the air was palpable. Dreams were being validated.

The International women day 2014 was being marked in a rare fete, by awarding inspirational women from the 47 counties (one from each county) who have made impressive contributions towards the empowerment of women, girls and families.The event was a culmination of a successful collaboration between the National Gender and equality Commission, Mothers and Daughters, the Hilton Hotel, the Standard Group and the support of development partners UNFPA and UNDP that saw history being made as 47 women from all the Counties rose to be honored.

The honourees were adjudged from a list of nominees of inspirational women submitted from all the counties and after a competitive and rigorous vetting, the judges submitted a list of 49 winners. Award categories ranged from fight against female genital mutilation support for persons with disabilities, advocacy for the rights of the girl child, sensitization on property and inheritance rights, peace and conflict resolution among others.

NGEC Chairperson Winfred Lichuma paid glowing tribute to the honourees saying they had a set a precedent in the history of the country. “I urge the honourees to keep the fire burning. Let these awards become a source of inspiration for renewed vigour and dedication to continue empowering the vulnerable population in the society especially women, children, youth, the elderly, minority and marginalized groups” said Lichuma

The chief guest, Runyenjes legislator Cecily Mbarire decried the abject poverty women continue to wallow in. “Women are the backbone of a country’s economy and should be empowered. We want the government to ensure that big tenders are awarded to women so that they can rise above poverty and contribute to national development” said Mbarire.

The event lived up to its billing with compliments, hearty laughs and new friends being exchanged. The awards will be given every year as part of the festivities celebrating the International Women Day.

Below is the list of all the honourees:

NO

NAME

COUNTY

CATEGORY

1.

GRACE LOLIM

ISIOLO

Promoting peace and  conflict resolution

2.

HABIBA ISSACK

MANDERA

Promoting human rights and eradication of FGM

3.

FELICITY NYAMBURA

NAIROBI

Founder of Autism Kenya

4.

MARIAM  HUSSEIN

GARISSA

Advocating for reproductive health rights

5.

LILIAN PLABAN

W.POKOT

Advocating for elimination of FGM

6.

REBECCA AKENO

TURKANA

Promoting women entrepreneurship

7.

ZAINABU ABDALLA

MURANG’A

Psychosocial support for orphans and PWDs

8.

RACHEL DZOMBO

KILIFI

Promoting community entrepreneurship

9.

JUSTIN A. OBURA

KISUMU

Advocating for human rights for all

10.

CAN. MARY NZYOKI

MACHAKOS

Supporting women in entrepreneurship

11.

CHRISTINE M. MUTETI

MAKUENI

Championing land ownership for the poor

12.

ANICETA C. KIRIGA

THARAKA NITHI

Campaigning against FGM an d promoting girl child education

13.

MARY MUTHONI

NYERI

Assisting and counseling cancer survivors

14.

LOISE BWOGA

SIAYA

Promoting children’s rights

15.

JANE G. WAIHURA

KIRINYAGA

Promoting peace and conflict resolution

16.

WINROSE NYAGUTHII

LAIKIPIA

Supporting community development

17.

MUNIRA ATHMAN

LAMU

Fighting GBV and supporting survivors

18.

KAREN N. MARUTI

KAKAMEGA

Promoting environmental conservation

19.

DR. ESTHER C. KEINO

KERICHO

Educating women and children on HIV/AIDs

20.

AMRAN ABDUNDI

WAJIR

Promoting women’s property and inheritance rights

21.

LEAH SAPAN

BARINGO

Advocating for the rights of the girl child

22.

LUCY A. OCHIENG

HOMABAY

Supporting girl child education

23.

EVA N. LEIPA

KAJIADO

Supporting girl child education

24.

VIOLET MBOSA

KWALE

Promoting the rights of the girls child

25.

MARGARET MUCHENDU

NAKURU

Campaigning against GBV

26.

TERESA OMARIBA

NYAMIRA

Campaigning against FGM

27.

EDITH JEPCHIRCHIR

UASIN GICHU

Advocating for youth empowerment

28.

JANE WEKESA

TRANSNZOIA

Promoting peace and conflict resolution

29.

MARGARET NELIMA

BUSIA

Campaigning against GBV

30.

TERESIA M. KIMANI

KIAMBU

Sensitizing community on land natural resources

31.

BINTI ALI KIZA

MOMBASA

Championing women and girl’s rights

32.

JEMIMAH SAINA

NANDI

Advocating for women’s rights

33.

AGNES PAREIYO

NAROK

Campaigning against FGM

34.

JOSEPHINE KULEA

SAMBURU

Promoting girl child

35.

EMILY M. WESONGA

MIGORI

Supporting persons with disabilities

36.

NANCY NDEGI NGARI

EMBU

Promoting the rights of persons with disabilities

37.

NORMAN K. MURANG’S

KISII

Campaigning against FGM

38.

HAKULE HUKA

MARSABIT

Promoting peace and conflict resolution

39.

MARY HALAO

TANA RIVER

Campaigning against GBV

40.

HANNAH W. GIATHU

NYANDARUA

Promoting good parenting and help for PWDs

41.

PATRICIA LASOI

BOMET

Championing family planning

42.

ROSEMARY WAFULA

BUNGOMA

Sensitizing women on property rights

43.

ANGELINA M. MUSABWA

VIHIGA

Advocating women and girl child rights

44.

RHODESTER M. MUTHUI

KITUI

Promoting the rights of the elderly

45.

EUNICE N. MUREGA

MERU

Campaigning against FGM

46.

DORCAS MWAMBA

TAITA TAVETA

Campaigning against FGM

47.

CHERUIYOT CHEBET

ELGEYO MARAKWET

Supporting girl child education

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

1.

GRACE M. MCHUMA

 

Advocating for women’s rights

2.

MARY JOY NASIEKU

MARSABIT

Championing peace and reconciliation


Pomp and color at inaugural inspirational women of the year awards 2014

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