Corporates, government and communities have been challenged to create an enabling environment to allow individuals thrive regardless of their gender.
Leaders at the third edition of Women on Board Awards noted that equal opportunity will speed up development in a modern world where diversity is key to innovation and progress.
While advocating for more women inclusion into the board of various organization, Mercy Wanjau, Secretary to the Cabinet challenged aspiring women to be ready for continuous learning in order to keep up with the first changing environment.
She noted that continues learning was key to enable women become better board members and tackle issues arising with the competence expected.
“Of course, we recorgnise today that the world is getting even more complex, there are so many emerging issues and interactions that it cannot be business as usual. When I think of the front on technology, so much is happening, the impact of globalization, artificial intelligence on business processes and conventional process is unprecedented,” she said.
“Even as women aspire to be board members, the learning will change for outfits such as the Women on Boards Network in what they place before aspiring women board leaders.”
The Women on Boards Network (WOBN) is an initiative aimed at promoting and encouraging women into Board leadership. Registered as a not for profit entity in Kenya, WOBN provides a platform brings together women from diverse fields and ranks; facilitate those already serving on Boards to effectively carry out their roles and responsibilities, and upskill and prepare for the boardroom those women who are already in senior leadership roles aspiring to serving on Boards.
The initiative is all about ensuring that the next generation of board members is more diverse and better balanced from a gender perspective. “We aim at putting the talents of women to work to improve the effectiveness of corporate boards now and in the future,” said WOBN founder Ms Catherine Musakali.
At the third annual event held on Friday last week, organisations supporting female leadership and men championing women’s agenda were also recognized.
The gala night saw Anette Kimitei honoured as the 2023 Woman on Board, Njeri Kabiru as the Rising Star, and Yasmin Mohammed feted for her outstanding service in Empowering Grassroots Women.
The East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL), which was hailed for its maternal welfare programmes won the Organisation of the Year award.
In addition, Wambui Mbesa earned a recognition in the Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) category, as Dr Stanely Kamau was feted as the Male Champion of Women’s Agenda.
Kenya Keys, an organization that supports students in rural Kenya realize their potential was also honoured with the Organisation Empowering Grassroots Woman award.
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