Ring the bell for gender equality

Started 7 years ago, the Ring the Bell for Gender Equality this year highlighted the role of women in the private sector and was a celebration of the tremendous role that women play. The Global Compact Network Kenya in partnership with Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), UN Women Kenya, and International Finance Corporate (IFC) Africa joined over 100 stock exchanges in commemoration of International Women’s Day as they celebrated the event.

The event was in line with the UN Women’s theme for International Women’s Day 2021 — “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world” — which celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the role of women in the private sector, the event aims to encourage scale-up efforts in achieving gender equality in their markets and organisations. To do this, industries need to adopt and implement the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs).

With Victoria Rubadiri hosting the event, the Chief Guest of the event was Professor Margaret Kobia who is the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Public Service, and Gender Affairs. She made a speech that highlighted the government’s support for gender equality. The Executive Director of the Global Compact Network Kenya, Judy Njino, showcased the importance of gender parity.

She highlighted that backlash and prejudices that exist against gender equality ought to be addressed. This can be done through collective action with the government, civil society, and the private sector. (htt9) Judy added, “In this decade of action, we need businesses to be more intentional and ambitious for the realisation of the economic value gender equality brings.”

The event also saw the signing of the Women Empowerment Principles and urged women to not wait to be identified but step into the ring. We continue to see the great efforts that women play as leaders and in organisations in the private sector as they lead in COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.