The Kenya Defense Forces stakeholders has called for the inclusion of more women in the military terming gender equality and women empowerment as critical towards the attainment of goal five of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Speaking at the commemoration of the International Women’s Day held at the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC) in Karen, IPSTC Assistant Staff Chief Dr. Racheal Anyona called on State and non-State actors to take actions that would halt discrimination of women along gender lines.
“Gender equality and empowerment will only be achieved if regional, national and international actors break the existing biases against women and girls that are responsible for creating barriers to the success of women in many spheres of public life. A call to break the bias is a call for State and non-State actors to take actions that will halt discrimination of women along gender lines,” Anyona said.
IPSTC Director Joyce Sientenei emphasized on the commitment of the national government to enhance gender equality through the Beijing Charter Declaration of 1995.
She further lauded the Kenyan security sector for its achievement towards gender equality.
“It is appreciable that the security sector in our country has made encouraging achievements. The first gender policy was launched in 2017 by President Uhuru Kenyatta that resulted in the appointment of the first female Major General in Kenya,” she added.
The duo further called for more inclusion of women in the United Nations peace keeping missions from the current 7 per cent by increasing the recruitment of more women in the military and police forces in line with the 2022 International Women’s Day theme of “Breaking the Bias.”
The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 calls for inclusion of women as equal partners in peace processes like the prevention of violent conflict, delivery of relief and recovery efforts.
By Amy Moyi and Gworo Alice
