Kenya aims for universal access to sexual and reproductive health, progressive action towards economic empowerment

To safeguard gains realized by women under a new Constitution, Kenya will enact appropriate legislation and policies, and commits to implementation and effective monitoring. It aims for accelerated progress on achieving the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, including through universal access to sexual and reproductive health. It will allocate adequate resources for gender equality and strengthen mechanisms for gender-sensitive budgeting. Towards women’s economic empowerment, the public procurement policy will be refined to open opportunities for women. Progressive action will improve women’s access to decent work and address the gender wage gap. Accelerated implementation of national policies and laws on gender-based violence will encompass continued engagement of men and boys, and continued commitment to eradicating all harmful practices, including female genital mutilation and child marriages. Kenya aims to ensure women can fully and effectively participate in all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life. It will take steps to ensure equal access to quality education for boys and girls, and to encourage women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Speaking at the Global Leaders' Meeting on 27 September 2015, President Uhuru Kenyatta said: “We commit to ensuring women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.” [Speech]