Kenya Red Cross Society in conjunction with the International Center for Humanitarian Affairs (ICHA) has launched a new initiative dubbed ‘Women Mentors for Women Mentees’ (WMWM) that seeks to build a legacy of female leaders in the humanitarian sector.
The programme was launched in the spirit of lifting young women up and as a buildup to this year’s International Women’s Day celebrations.
International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on 8 March as a global day focusing on the women’s rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
The initiative was launched at a colourful ceremony presided over by the Secretary General (SG) of the Kenya Red Cross Society Dr. Asha Mohamed at the City Blue Creekside Hotel in Mombasa.
Dr. Asha urged women to engage in productive activities that will raise their standards of living and enable them participate in national development.
She said as Kenya prepares to join the rest of the world in preparing for the International Women’s Day commemoration her message would be women should support one another to help develop the country.
The KRCS secretary-general bemoaned the lack of support by women for their fellow women noting that it has often been said that enemies of women progress were usually fellow women.
“As a humanitarian agency we are determined to promote the WMWM initiative as a platform of promoting access to equal opportunities for women inside and outside the workplace,” she said.
Dr. Asha used the occasion to challenge women to be courageous in all spheres to succeed in their different leadership roles.
She said unity and cooperation among women is important in their quest for empowerment and overcoming injustice in society.
The Secretary-general also underscored the need for men to join hands with women and give them the necessary support to break the biases against womenfolk.
Dr. Asha called on all stakeholders to work mutually towards achieving gender parity in all spheres of life to improve the wellbeing of women.
The Red Cross SG reiterated the fact that if women want development and progress then they have to unite in purpose and respect each other.
“I want to emphasize that if women do not fight for what is due to them then we will continue to lag behind,” she said, adding that there is a need for women to learn from each other and be willing to adapt to the ever-changing world.
Dr. Asha said women need to work together and support one another in all undertakings to help them succeed in their endeavours and achieve gender equality.
“Time is ripe for women to take up leadership roles, participate in national development and join women empowerment groups to enable them acquire the necessary capacity for whatever field,” said Dr. Asha.
Kenya Red Cross Society Innovations Manager Priyanka Patel says WMWM seeks to empower and encourage women to pursue their professional goals and reach their full potential.
“The mentor-mentee relationship will provide young women with guidance, support, and a sounding board as they navigate their careers,” she said.
Ms. Patel says WMWM initiative hopes to build a legacy of female leaders who mentor the next generation and educate the previous ones to create a sustainable and supportive ecosystem for women in the workforce.
“This new initiative is alive to the fact that women need empowerment at all levels so that they can realize their full potential,” she said.
She said the roles of women are critical in shaping families and society at large and hence the need for empowerment to enable them to contribute to development in all spheres of life.
By Hussein Abdullahi
