United Nations launches campaign on gender equality

Standard Group CEO Sam Shollei (left) with UN Women Country Director Ms Zebib Kavuma yesterday at the Standard Group Centre during the launch of the MDG 3 youth competition. [PHOTO: GOVEDI ASUTSA/STANDARD]

By STANDARD REPORTER

KENYA: The Standard Group has partnered with United Nations Women (UN Women) to promote gender equality and women empowerment in line with the Millennium Development Goals.

The campaign, unveiled Monday, provides a platform inviting the youth to a story-telling competition through essays and photos that highlight involvement of women in development.

The Standard Group Chief Executive Officer Sam Shollei said the firm would provide a media platform to accelerate gender equality and meaningful involvement of women in decision-making roles.

“Women involvement in setting the development agenda is minimal yet they form more than half of the population,” noted Mr Shollei.

He added that the media plays a defining role in dealing with societal issues such as the continued domination of men in the development agenda at the expense of womenfolk.

The campaign will be a two-way communication process to inform and create gender champions among the youth, according to UN Women Country Director Zebib Kavuma.

Ms Kavuma added that women were still lagging behind in social and economic activities yet the time left before the expiry of the MDG deadline in 2015 was limited.

Ease challenges

It is projected that the campaign could also help ease challenges hindering women’s participation in development.

Three winners of the competition will be granted internships at the Standard Group where they will be trained to become gender equality champions in the society.

In addition, a tablet will be awarded for the best story and a camera for the winning photo.

Those selected as winners will be announced during the celebration of the Africa Youth Day to be marked on November 1.

The competition is open to young people between the ages of 18 and 30, ideally college students studying journalism-related courses.

 The deadline for submission of story and photo entries will be the end of October, this year.