The National Gender and Equality Commission, led by Vice Chairperson Thomas Koyier, paid a courtesy visit to the KOICA Kenya Office to explore areas of collaboration aimed at advancing gender equality, inclusive development and capacity building.
The engagement reflects a broader alignment between national priorities and international development cooperation particularly in addressing structural inequalities that continue to affect women, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is the Republic of Korea’s official development assistance agency, established to support sustainable socio-economic development in partner countries through grants, technical cooperation and capacity building initiatives.
Operating in dozens of countries worldwide, including Kenya, KOICA has built a reputation for investing in critical sectors such as education, governance, health, agriculture and technology often with a strong emphasis on knowledge transfer and institutional strengthening.
In Kenya, KOICA’s programmes have supported community development, water access, and women’s economic empowerment initiatives, particularly in underserved regions.
Discussions between NGEC and KOICA centred on identifying practical areas of collaboration that can accelerate progress on gender equality and inclusive growth. At the heart of the engagement was a shared recognition that sustainable development cannot be achieved without addressing inequalities that limit participation in economic, social and governance systems.
Capacity building emerged as a key priority particularly in strengthening institutions, enhancing technical skills and equipping stakeholders with the tools needed to implement inclusive policies effectively. The Commission emphasised the importance of ensuring that gender equality is not treated as a standalone issue, but as a cross-cutting principle embedded across development programmes.
The engagement reaffirmed the longstanding partnership between Kenya and the Republic of Korea, which has evolved over the years into a model of development cooperation grounded in mutual learning and shared priorities. Through training programmes, technical exchanges and development projects, KOICA has contributed to building the capacity of Kenyan institutions and professionals across multiple sectors. For NGEC, collaboration with such partners offers an opportunity to strengthen implementation of its mandate particularly in promoting equality, inclusion and freedom from discrimination.
