Women Inclusion in leadership

INTRODUCTION

Women Inclusion
in leadership

Women’s equal participation in decision-making is not only a demand for simple justice or democracy, but a necessary pre-condition for women’s interests to be taken into account. This is line with the Beijing Platform for Action G.1 and G.2: “take measures to ensure women’s equal access to and full participation in power structures and decision-making” and “increase women’s capacity to participate in decision-making and leadership”, respectively. Governance structures which do not result in the equal participation of men and women, or their equal enjoyment of benefits from state interventions are by definition neither inclusive nor democratic. Free Pentecostal Fellowship in Kenya (FPFK), Women Inclusion in Leadership Project takes in to account the still existing gap, between men participation into leadership and the women participation in decision making leadership positions. The project seeks to strengthen women leaders’ individual leadership capabilities while supporting them to share their journeys to leadership and knowledge gained with aspiring women leaders. This is been done through training on leadership skills, mentorships and women leadership community of practice. The project is working towards developing a women leadership website that aims to empower women leaders’ community of practice which will see women leaders from different background access information on leadership and gender inclusivity in leadership. This in turn will create a united voice to influence policies and women equality in the national decision making.

Why the approach through the religion?

Religion and religious norms historically have played an important role in shaping public policies and public life in many countries around the world. Some countries may experience the impact of religion on their public life more than others. In Kenya, this impact is ebbed and flows throughout the course of history. This continues to be observed as Kenya continues to be guided by religious indoctrination. The approach of empowering FPFK elected women, is in line with empowering them to not only perform roles leadership roles in the church but also to value add their skills to lead in public positions, that they could normally shy away from vying for.

Women forming Community of Practice groups

Group discussion on challenges affecting women in leadership

Group discussion on challenges affecting women in leadership

Women forming Community of Practice groups

Women attending Leadership training at Thessalia Mission centre group photo

Women attending Leadership training at Thessalia Mission centre group photo