KICC, NAIROBI
The Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Gender and Equality Commission served as a panellist at the Women in STEM Africa Summit 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, hosted by Women in Technology and Innovation Africa, where she set out what it will take to advance the participation and leadership of women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
She underlined the importance of early-stage mentorship, noting that girls need relatable women role models, practical learning opportunities and exposure to STEM careers from an early age. She called for clear pathways from education into employment, innovation and leadership, and for safe, inclusive and gender-responsive STEM environments that address the barriers facing girls and women, including those with disabilities and those in rural and marginalised communities.
The CEO called for greater investment in digital access, skills development and women-led innovation, arguing that women should be supported as inventors, entrepreneurs,researchers and decision-makers within the technology sector.
She urged institutions to close the gender gap in STEM through deliberate, measurable action supported by reliable data. Where girls are given the confidence, opportunity and platform to lead in STEM, they generate solutions, jobs and possibilities that shape the continent’s future.
