Women only events a powerful platform for growth
Women empowerment has been a trending topic of debate for many years in the country with both sides expressing strong opinions.
Recently, one viable and potential avenue to boost women’s progress towards this end has gained increasing support: namely the hosting of ‘women only events’ as part of an overall empowerment strategy which cannot be underestimated.
Needless to say, Women only events provide key advantages necessary for career advancement since they not only foster personal growth but also aid professionally.
The case for such initiatives is clear-cut: by creating designated forums entirely devoted to female perspectives and participation – free from male influence – these get-togethers provide rare contenders in a world infested by patriarchal attitudes and social silencing.
Crucially, they allow vulnerable voices which are otherwise often excluded from mainstream conversations the opportunity to express their views openly on issues that affect them most closely; something that can have hugely positive ramifications not just for individual women but also wider society at large.
For instance, Nairobi is one fine hub of impeccable art. First I must acknowledge that events like Whine Down, which celebrated their one year anniversary recently, are not solely created for the purpose of women empowerment. Their rationale is that women feel more safe when they are surrounded by other women. Writing about the same, Mphilo (Tangaza Magazine) said, “I felt fully seen, acknowledged and protected by everyone from the moment I entered to the moment I left.” But it is with such events that we can experience more than just the safety of women. From performances, keynote addresses and the very idea of women dominating in their spaces of influence, they are a pillar to women’s empowerment,
While interning at Badili Africa last year, I learned of their creative approach to feminising political spaces by engaging young university women and chama women in activities such as political dialogues and civic education. They would use beauty and fashion, essentially make up, to not only communicate heavy themes such as sexual and gender based violence, but also to attract young women into important leadership and governance conversations. Many of their events were women centred, and it made sense because their work revolves around empowering them, ensuring young girls and women in school, at work and in leadership get the necessary exposure to make informed decisions.
Notably, women-only events present a platform where their voices are heard. With this kind of setup, women are likely to share their personal stories openly with their fellows.
To add on, it presents them with a pool of networks and mentors in different fields. At Badili Africa, I would see how young girls would go up to the keynote speaker who were invited to their engagements. They would ask questions like kindergarten kids, pitch their initiatives and exchange numbers and business cards.
Lastly, they get mentors who guide them and inspire them. I am sure many women who attended Whine Down’s one year anniversary look up to radio personality Sheila Kwamboka better known as Kwambox. Such spaces present women with opportunities to connect with destiny holders and mentors who take them from one stage of life to the next.
Ultimately, Women Only Events provide a unique and safe space for women to come together and gain skills and confidence in their abilities. They allow the cultivation of community-based networks free from judgment or expectations that are often found in more traditional events.
Not only do they give women an opportunity to find support but encourage them to document their successes, experiences, and struggles as part of our global movement towards gender equality.
— The writers are media students at Riara and Rongo University respectively
