FEMINISM is a term that has attracted a fair share of negative campaigning in the recent past both in Kenya and globally. There has been a misunderstanding of what feminism stands for and it has been tagged by some with a false connotation of overall extremism. With the annual 16 days of activism campaign knocking Kicking off, it feels like the opportune time to remind us all what FEMINISM is truly about.

The encyclopedia Brittanica defines FEMINISM as the belief in social, economic, and political equality of the sexes. Merriam Webster dictionary defines it as the belief in and advocacy of the political, economic, and social equality of the. Simply put FEMINISM is the belief that men and women are equal and should enjoy equality politically, economically and socially. A FEMINIST therefore is a person who believes in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes. The Constitution of Kenya lists equality and non-discrimination among the core national principles and values of governance.

In the world or in Kenya today, are men and women enjoying equality economically, socially and politically? The available facts and figures paint the picture of persisting gender inequality. According to the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Index 2024, it will take 5 generations or 134 years to close the gender gap at current progress.  Top political and industry positions remain largely inaccessible to women. Women held only 26.9% of seats in parliament globally. In Kenya following the 2022 elections, women make up only 10.6% of all elected leaders (201 of 1882). An Africa Development Bank 2023 report found that the percentage of women sitting in the boards of blue-chip companies in Kenya was 19.8%. 113 countries including Kenya have never had a female head of state according to UN Women. Women’s workforce representation remains below men’s in nearly every industry and economy with women accounting for 42% of the global workforce. A Kenyatta University Women’s Economic Empowerment Hub audit showed that by 2020, representation of women in middle and upper management within the public service in Kenya stood at 27% and 29% respectively. Overall representation of women in the public service in Kenya was 32% in 2020. In the three months between August and November 2024, there have been 97 cases of reported femicide in Kenya according to the National Police Service.

In the face of such glaring gender inequality in the world and in Kenya, there is an urgent need for more people who believe in the equality of the sexes, more FEMINISTS. Gender equality is a fundamental human right and a critical aspect of sustainable development. It is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5) but also integral to all dimensions of inclusive and sustainable development and cuts across all the other 16 SDGs. Equality for men and women in the economy, in decision making and in policy debates yields better results for all. For instance, IMF research suggests that narrowing the gender gap in labour markets in developing countries such as Kenya could increase the GDP by 8% and if the gap is totally narrowed, the GDP would increase by as much as 23%.

The equality of the sexes (gender equality) which is what FEMINISM is all about makes sense and cents. It is why as we ‘unite to end violence against women and girls’ during this year’s 16 days of activism, we should all become FEMINISTS and embrace FEMINISM. It makes sense and cents.